By Amy-Lynn Albertson

N.C. Cooperative Extension

The Rowan County Extension Master Gardener Plant Sale is happening on May 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring a wide variety of shade-loving plants. Gardening in the shade can be both challenging and enjoyable. First, evaluate the type of shade in your garden.

Partial shade: Gardens that receive up to six hours of direct sunlight, with at least four of those hours in the morning followed by shade for the rest of the day, are classified as partial shade. If your garden is shaded mostly in the afternoon, it falls under this category. A great option for partial shade is the beautyberry shrub, which thrives in these conditions. It has beautiful green foliage and produces small berries when fully flowered.

Dappled shade: This type of shade features sunlight filtering through the branches of trees or latticework structures, creating a pattern of shifting light throughout the day. Dappled shade can be more challenging, but many plants thrive in such conditions. Azaleas are among the best shrubs for adding extensive color to a shade garden. They have bright green evergreen foliage and produce funnel-shaped flowers in shades of white, red and pink during spring and summer. Some native azaleas are deciduous and lose their leaves in winter, but they generally grow best in dappled sunlight under trees.

Full shade: Areas receiving less than two hours of direct sunlight daily are considered full shade. This type is often found under evergreens and trees, where direct light rarely penetrates. Full shade can be dim and cool, making it challenging to find blooming plants. However, you can focus on foliage with lovely color and interesting leaf structures. A great choice for full shade is the trillium, a native woodland flower known for its striking deep red flowers and gorgeous leaves. This year, the Master Gardeners have curated an impressive collection of ferns that any shade gardener would appreciate. I particularly enjoy the Japanese painted fern and the cinnamon fern. Personally, I think fiddleheads are fascinating!

Among the showiest and easiest-to-grow shade perennials are hostas, which come in a variety of sizes and shapes. You can select from miniature varieties that grow just a few inches tall to larger ones that can spread 6 feet or more. Hostas display leaves in shades of green, blue, white, chartreuse and gold, with many cultivars boasting beautiful variegation. Some hostas even produce fragrant flowers.

This is just a small selection of plants you will find for sale at the Rowan County Extension Master Gardener Plant Sale on May 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2727 Old Concord Road (the old location for the Ag Center). If you have any questions, please reach out to the Cooperative Extension at 704-216-8970.

Amy-Lynn Albertson is director of the Rowan County Extension.