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Shade Garden Driveway
Red Japanese Maple
New Zealand Flax, Wings of Gold
Nandina, Heavenly Bamboo
Bearded Iris
Lamb's Ear
Bugle Flower, Carpet Bugle
Red Japanese Maple

Common name:Red Japanese Maple
Botanical name:Acer palmatum 'Atropurpureum'

This Japanese Maple grows as a small, deciduous tree complete with palmate leaves that turn red and endure for the entire season.

New Zealand Flax, Wings of Gold

Common name:New Zealand Flax, Wings of Gold
Botanical name:Phormium 'Wings of Gold'

The Phormium is a dwarf, growing to only 2'-3' tall. The stiff, vertical leaves are olive green in color with a yellow margin. It should be grown under full to part sun.

Nandina, Heavenly Bamboo

Common name:Nandina, Heavenly Bamboo
Botanical name:Nandina domestica

Nandina domestica is a graceful upright shrub that grows from 3'-6' in height. It gets its name from its bamboo-like growth habit. When thinned from the center it bears a remarkable resemblance to bamboo. It is best used in groups. It can be used in a shaded patio or out in a shrub border with full sun. An interesting feature of Heavenly Bamboo is the bronze color in the new growth when planted in full sun. It also bears clusters of white flowers in the spring.

Bearded Iris

Common name:Bearded Iris
Botanical name:Iris Bearded Hybrids

This perennial will grow 1'-3' tall and has medium sized, blue green leaves with flowers of different colors that bloom in spring. It needs well draining soil and full sun. Many are fragrant and rebloom several times a year. Plant rhizomes in Sept or Oct. They need water once a week during the hot spells. Top dress with compost and gypsum in January and August.

Lamb's Ear

Common name:Lamb's Ear
Botanical name:Stachys byzantina

This tiny shrub will grow less than 1' tall and has medium-size, greyish-green leaves with blue and lavender flowers that bloom in the spring. This shrub is grown more for its velvety leaves than the flowers. It is drought tolerant once it's established. Be careful not to overwater.

Bugle Flower, Carpet Bugle

Common name:Bugle Flower, Carpet Bugle
Botanical name:Ajuga reptans

This colorful groundcover will grow in shade or sun with slightly moist soil. It is an evergreen with purplish rosettes that spread quickly on purplish stems. Blue bloom spikes cover these plants in April and May, and are 6"-8" when blooming. This versatile groundcover can also be used in shady wildflower beds. -Holland Wildflower Farm

Designer: Jeff Gamboni Landscape Archite

Shade Garden Driveway
Image: 3 of 24

Photographer: GardenSoft

Soils and Compost:

Maintain a two to four inch layer of mulch on the soil surface to reduce weeds, infiltrate rain water, and reduce compaction.

Integrated Pest Management:

Drip and other smart irrigation delivers water directly to roots, allowing no excess water for weeds.