The garden in this design comes together under the canopy of a flowering shade tree, offering height, color and texture – as well as nice shade. View and print a larger version of this design.

The blazing sun can be relentless. And on its hottest days, it’s enough to send any garden lover back indoors – at least for a little bit. Dedicating a corner of your sunny yard to a little (or big) shade garden is a great way to gain some backyard relief from the sun and heat, as well as get some different plants in your garden that you otherwise couldn’t try.

The garden in this design comes together under the canopy of a flowering shade tree, offering height, color and texture – as well as nice cover. Shade-loving groundcovers serve as a beautiful living mulch under the tree canopy, while Hosta or other upright or mounding shade-tolerant perennials rise behind them, bringing added interest to the bed. A few hydrangeas offer added blooming beauty to this design, as well as help hide an accessible storage area that can be conveniently tucked along the side of the bed. If you don’t need additional outdoor storage – or even if you do – consider adding a nearby bench or other seating for when you retreat to shady comfort on those extra-warm, sunny days.

If your property – or budget – isn’t big enough to add a shade garden of this size, consider creating a smaller version near your patio or deck, using a few smaller shade trees and some shade-loving container plants. (You can also use less inground plantings, as your needs and budget allow.)

As long as you pick your favorite plants that match the appropriate function and site requirements (shade-loving plants for shady areas, etc.), you can find good relief – as well as amazing beauty – from that relentless sun.

Remember, when you shop for plants, pick the ones you like that match the functions identified on the plan!