Have a shady spot in your yard? Pick these plants

When the sun pelts us with relentless, record-setting summer temperatures, Central Texas gardeners spend a lot of time figuring out what to plant that won’t fry in the full sun.

But there are many different gardening conditions, and they all have their own challenges. Just about the time you figure out what to plant in that sunny bed, the trees have grown and it’s now a shade bed, and nothing works any more. Or, you’ve got to craft a new plan of action in the shade where the grass is gasping for light and dirt has become the order of the day.

In our gardening zone, there is a smaller palette of blooming

plants for use in part or deep shade than there is for full sun. As a result, the creative use of plants with unique features helps give shade beds more appeal.

A well-designed shade bed should include a variety of textures and forms, as well as variegated plants and those with light-colored blooms that brighten up the garden. White, pale pink and yellow flowers make wonderful highlights and add interest to a dark bed. Other elements to consider adding to a shade bed include plants with bright berries, like beauty berry or mahonias or pigeonberry.

While I love the endless array of bright-colored native and adapted plant possibilities for a sunny bed, my favorite garden is my woodland garden. Shadows seem to dance among the foliage and flowers in a shady bed, highlighting delicate details and drawing you in to a cooler, more restful space in the garden.

When planting any bed, be sure to group plants with like water needs together and use a thick layer of mulch to help keep the moisture in the soil and minimize weeds. Even xeric plants will need a little extra water to get established in the first few months, so pay close attention to any changes to your plants after they go into the ground.

DIANA C. KIRBY FOR AMERICAN-STATESMAN With its striking upright leaves and pretty light pink blooms, ground orchids, Bletilla striatia, add colorful spring blooms to a shady bed.

DIANA C. KIRBY/AMERICAN-STATESMAN Plum yew, lyre leaf sage and ajuga, with its delicate electric blue blooms, add interest, texture and color to a shady border.

To design an interesting shade bed, include a variety of light colors, textures, forms and variegated plants.