Plants for the Shade Garden

SHADE GARDENING IS UNDERRATED! Yes, plant choices are more limited in shady spots than if you’ve got plenty of sunshine to work with. But gardening in the shade can be so much more than resigning yourself to ferns and hostas -- both of which are lovely but can be boring if that's all you have. If you stop there, you are missing out on all the variety and beauty shade garden plants can add to your landscape. When you include carefully selected small understory trees, shade-tolerant shrubs (some of which might surprise you), and learn about the less-well-known but beautiful perennials and other smaller plants, you start developing a more interesting, varied, and compelling garden that catches the eye and invites people in. Even one small area (perhaps neglected because of the deep shade?) can be transformed -- with a few carefully considered choices -- into one of the most beguiling parts of your yard. Come to this shade symposium and learn about the possibilities, be inspired, and leave with a list of your favorite shade plants (cross-referenced for deer resistance and native-plant status). Start planning how you’ll transform your shady garden into a place of peace and beauty! Weather-permitting, we'll take a closer look at the many shade plants on the Columbus Garden School property. INSTRUCTOR: Cat Baumgartner is an ISA Certified Arborist, an Ohio Certified Nursery Technician, and was Oakland Nursery staff member for many years. She’s mostly a “self-taught” gardener who began when she was five years old and had a "weed garden" behind the garage (banished to that humble spot by a family who didn’t share her appreciation of the beautiful plants she grew).