Once the stepping stone design has been laid out and mosses planted around each paver (figure A), it's time to position the shade-loving plants that will fill out the garden. Don't be afraid to crowd your plants. This design is intended to create an impression of a garden that's been in place for a very long time. Tight spacing will contribute to this aesthetic. FYI: - If you need help in covering up an unattractive feature or "blemish" in your garden, the Grecian Pattern Plant (Acanthus mollis 'Oak Leaf') is a great choice. It has large, shiny leaves and will develop tall flower heads (figure B).
- Catlin's Giant Carpet Bugle (Ajuga 'Catlin's Giant') is excellent for filling out the area around the stone bench (figure C). Once planted, it will send out daughter plants and spread.
- Ornamental grasses won't grow well in shady areas, but the Frosty Curls Sedge (Carex albula) can and its hair-like stems and delicate texture are a great addition to this garden (figure D). Don't plant sedges too close together or you will lose their natural roundness and geometry.
- Woodland perennials like Music Melody Columbine (Aqueligia 'Music Melody ') are naturally adapted to the kind of soil and environment found around the surface roots of a shade tree (figure E). Choose plants in small containers since they don't require deep holes.
Expert tip (Tim Thibault, horticulturist): You can tell the difference between sedges and grasses by checking their stems. The sedge has a triangular stem, while grass stems are more cylindrical. In other words... sedges have edges!
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