Shade Gardening

My house is tucked into a mini forest in the suburbs...my own private oasis, my little private slice of paradise...with trees all around, towering high above us, maple trees extending their big long branches dripping in full lush green leaves...to dapple the sunlight and protect us from the heat of summer. I have apple trees flanking both sides of my u-shape driveway, I have huge pine trees, cedar trees and the towering (my mind went blank here) trees...

However, with all these great trees comes the challenge to garden. I only have certain areas with full sun... one huge bed along my garage, which is loaded with plants. I have a herb garden, garlic bulbs growing, rose bushes, and loads of perennials. I am working on taming the other side, it is a beast...it really does need to be dug up and replanted but the job will be huge, so I have been holding off till we do some other work around the garage.

I have been busy working on thinning the branches in the trees that seperates my property from my neighbour. I started trimming almost immediately when I moved in just over a year ago. I find it very relaxing to trim the branches and remove dead wood. I want the kids to be able to walk or run through the trees without taking an eye out. Plus, I am hoping to improve my chances for the ferns and the woodland flowers to have more sunlight to grow. I am removing the wild buttercups that have tentacles that stretch for miles, I take great pride in ripping them out! I have also started transplanting shade loving plants to the bed I am creating along the tree line.

I discovered I have lots of beautiful moss covered rocks scattered throughout the woods. I also find them beneath the soil as I plant my new flowers. I also snagged some great deals at my local grocery store. It was closing the garden center for the season. They were giving away the tall grasses for free and you could fill one of those large trays with any amount of plants that you could squeeze in for the grand price of $2.00!!!! My kind of gardening!

I have also enjoyed planting some succulents into my rock borders. I also created some nice, low maintenance containers. I used different succulents then finished it off with moss from the woods which looks so pretty! Once the fall comes, I will plant the succulents into my rocks that border different beds and start fresh with new pots next year.

My house...my plans....subject to change!

My house as it is...today! (well early spring 2007)

Just thought I would share some of the styles, colours or items that are on my wish list for the renovations on the exterior of my home...hopefully next summer...though a new tent trailer might delay it by another summer! We plan to build a nice sized deck just off the mudroom entrance with wrap around stairs which avoids needing a railing. The front steps will also be replaced with new ones that my husband will build...we hope to do these two projects this summer...though they will not be attached to the house until the siding is completed.

I really want to add the middle gable. It would add so much light into our staircase. Plus, this shows again two windows on each side...far more balanced.

I love the red!!! We also plan to add sidelight windows to the front door.


I have pondered a linen to light yellow colour..but I know I won't go with that. I want something light but earthy to fit into my woodsy landscape.

Colour scheme I am considering...plus that is my siding profile that I must have...no compromises there!

This is a faux stone product that I plan to put on my foundation.

This is how I plan to update the garage.

The red door is one of the front door styles I am considering.

This is a cape cod that is as old as mine but has been updated. I plan to reshingle our roof...purely cosmentic...and I like this colour and style. Plus, I like this colour a lot...but it only comes in the profile shown so it isn't really an option. My dream is wooden siding...but it is more than double the price!

We also plan to "maybe" replace our two picture windows with two individual windows to balance the house on each side. However, I just don't know if I can sacrifice my view...you feel as though you are outside when your sitting inside...I love that! So, this is a big struggle for me.

Not the best photo...but my view takes up the whole wall and looks out on a very private woodsy lot in the middle of suburbia!

I will add more photos as I find them on my computer...I am a sloppy photo person who has no order to her pictures!