KNOW YOUR GARDEN
> Note what causes the shade in your garden: Planting under a large tree, for instance, differs from planting beside the house, even if both areas offer "medium shade." A mass of surface roots severely limits the choice of plants you can put in without harming the tree. The soil around the house or next to a fence can be dug more easily and will support a wider range of plants with roots that do not have to compete with those of a tree for water and nutrients.
> Note when the shade occurs in each area: Most shade plants can tolerate morning sun but may suffer leaf burn if they do not receive shade after noon. An area may be quite shady in early spring, but as the sun moves toward the solstice (June 22) may become very sunny and intolerable to plants needing more shade. This is particularly important during watering bans, because the newly exposed shade plants will need extra water to survive. Conversely, a spot that is sunny all day in winter and early spring may be heavily shaded by May, when surrounding trees leaf out.
> If you are new to Georgia, keep in mind that what may have grown well in full sun in Minnesota or New Hampshire may need afternoon shade to survive the sun's intensity here.

PREPARE YOUR SOIL
Georgia's clay soil retains water, and in shady areas may even grow moss. Roots will rot if proper drainage is not provided. Break up the soil by digging down 18 to 24 inches, then mixing it with amendments such as Nature's Helper and mushroom compost. (Peat moss is not recommended because it holds additional water.) Add granular fertilizer, 10-10-10, in the amount recommended on the bag to provide nutrients for the new plants. Digging aerates the soil, allowing roots to obtain oxygen. Mulching the beds will help retain moisture.


Choose the right plants
Despite the overabundance in Atlanta, azaleas and impatiens are not the only plants available for shade gardens.
Schmid came to the conclusion years ago that green gardens are easier than those filled with an array of riotous flower color. "This does not mean I do not like flowers," he says. "But shade plants are easier to care for and display their many shades of green over the whole season, from early spring to frost."
* Denotes deep-shade-tolerant species
TREES
Adding understory trees to the landscape is an excellent way to create visual interest. Such trees modify the shade from taller trees, deepening it under their spreading branches. Schmid planted many Japanese maples, dogwoods, Stewartias and hemlocks under his tall pines. Other good choices include:
> Carolina silverbell, Halesia carolina
> Fringe tree, Chionanthus virginicus
> Japanese snowbell, Styrax japonicus
> Kousa dogwood, Cornus kousa
> Redbud, Cercis canadensis
> Saucer magnolia, Magnolia x soulangeana
> Star magnolia, Magnolia stellata
SHRUBS
Schmid uses large shrubs to divide his garden into many areas. This has the effect of luring the visitor along the paths to see what's around the next corner. He grows abelia, Abelia x grandiflora; azalea; nandina, Nandina domestica; beautyberry, Callicarpa bodinieri; and oakleaf and Annabelle hydrangeas, H. quercifolia, H. 'Annabelle'. Others to consider are:
> Alexandrian laurel, Danae racemosa *
> Andromeda, Pieris japonica *
> Aucuba, Aucuba japonica *
> Doublefile viburnum, Viburnum plicatum 'Tomentosum'
> Drooping leucothoe, Leucothoe fontanesiana *
> Dwarf or creeping gardenia, G. radicans
> Dwarf sweetbox, Sarcococca hookeran *
> Florida anise, Illicium parviflorum
> Florida leucothoe, Agarista populifolia
> Gardenia, Gardenia jasminoides
> Mahonia, Mahonia bealei
> Mophead hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla *
> Native azalea, Rhododendron canescen *
> Schip laurel, Prunus 'Schipkaensis'
> Tea olive, Osmanthus fragrans
PERENNIALS
Experienced gardeners like Schmid grow a variety of plants ranging from readily available native ferns to exotic and rare specimens found only in specialty nurseries. "I like a plant you can stick in the ground and forget it," Schmid says. "If you are growing things that need coddling, your doing something wrong."
Following are shade plants that are not difficult to grow and can be found in area garden centers:
> Astilbe, Astilbe chinensis
> Big Blue lobelia, Lobelia syphilitica
> Bleeding heart, Dicentra eximia; D. spectabilis
> Bluestar, Amsonia tabernaemontana
> Bugbane, Cimicifuga racemosa
> Butterfly ginger, Hedychium coronarium
> Cardinal flower, Lobelia cardinalis
> Coralbells, Heuchera sanguinea
> Foamflower, Tiarella cordifolia
> Hardy begonia, Begonia grandis
> Hosta, Hosta spp. *
> Italian arum, Arum italicum
> Japanese anemone, Anemone x hybrida
> Lenten rose, Helleborus x hybrida
> Lily-of-the-valley, Convallaria majalis
> Solomon's seal, Polygonatum commutatum; P. odoratum *
> Spiderwort, Tradescantia virginiana *
> Toad lily, Tricyrtis hirta
> Turtlehead, Chelone lyonii
GROUND COVERS
Schmid considers epimediums the finest ground cover. Fortunately, many different epimediums can be found in garden centers and catalogs. Try several types, and if you have room, here are a few other ground cover choices:
> Black mondo grass, Ophiopogon 'Nigrescens'
> Bugleweed, Ajuga reptans
> Creeping Jenny, Lysimachia nummularia
> Dwarf mondo grass, Ophiopogon japonicus
> Epimedium, Epimedium spp. *
> Green and gold, Chrysogonum virginiana
> Hardy lily turf, Liriope spicata, L. muscari
> Pachysandra, Pachysandra terminalis *
> Wild ginger, Asarum europaeum *
ANNUALS
Annuals can provide a temporary cover for bare spots among newly planted perennials without impeding the growth of the permanent plants.
> Annual begonia, Begonia semperflorens
> Browallia, Browallia speciosa *
> Caladium, Caladium x hortulanum
> Coleus, Coleus spp.
> Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea *
> Impatiens, Impatiens wallerana *
> Pentas, Pentas lanceolata
> Spider flower, Cleome hasslerana
> Wishbone flower, Torenia spp. *
FERNS
Ferns are indispensable in the shade garden, Schmid says. Their fresh, arching foliage knits together the various plants in the border, adding texture and movement. Here are some to try:
> Autumn fern, Dryopteris erythrosora *
> Holly fern, Cyrtomium falcatum *
> Japanese painted fern, Athyrium niponicum 'Pictum'
> Lady fern, Athyrium filix-femina
> Royal fern, Osmunda regalis
> Sensitive fern, Onoclea sensibilis
> Southern shield fern, Thelypteris kunthii
> Tassel fern, Polystichum polyblepharum
VINES
Using vines on strong structures adds grace to the landscape, softening edges of porches, garages and arbors. The following tolerate light to medium shade:
> Carolina jessamine, Gelsemium sempervirens
> Climbing hydrangea, Hydrangea petiolaris
> Confederate jasmine, Trachelospermum jasminoides
> Evergreen clematis, Clematis armandii
> Five-leaf akebia, Akebia quinata
> Lady Banks rose, Rosa banksia