Low-Light, Low-Maintenance Plants for Shady Apartment Garden

Ground-floor apartment, 4x12 ft space against building, shady with tree canopy. Wants green, attractive, low-maintenance plants (6-8 ft max height, non-invasive roots, no wall creep). Delaware climate: Zone 7, 3-4" monthly rain, 75°F summer, 30s winter. No gardening experience.

Recommended Plant Palette

• Ferns - diverse textures, thrive in shade/moisture
• Hostas - bold foliage, many varieties
• Convallaria (Lily of the Valley) - fragrant spring flowers, spreading groundcover
• Bergenia (Elephant's Ears) - large leathery leaves, spring flowers
• Structural shrubs: Viburnums, Boxwood, Yew - evergreen framework

Design Principles

• Contrast bold foliage (hostas, bergenia) with delicate (ferns)
• Eliminate grass—ecologically poor, high maintenance
• Mulch heavily with bark
• Add small hardscape: brick, gravel, or bark pathways

Jonathan
www.ecologicagardens.com