Tag Archives: shade

Lilac bush and peeling bark from maple tree

Hi, there. I have a few gardening problems I need help with. I have a lilac bush in the backyard that was planted over 13 years ago. Every year it blooms and has been bushy and healthy. This year in…

Dealing with dry shade

I have a ravine type back yard. Three levels. The third level is very shady and dry. There is one very big tree, probably over 50 years and one pine tree. It grows lots of weeds. What should I do…

Coleus for sun

I was all prepared to put lots of coleus in my garden then discovered it’s a shade plant.  I get full afternoon sun.  Will it do well at all?  I ended up buying one plant to see how it will…

Colourfull bushes

Hello, I am sharing a patch of grass with my neighbour in between or houses which gets only the afternoon sun. We would like to plant three colourful bushes or plant with little maintenance as possible. I would like to…

Climbing plant for trellis/pergola on balcony

Hi, I am moving to a row townhouse in May located in Mississauga (Zone 6a) with a walk out balcony having a trellis/pergola type structure (pic attached) on it facing North. The floor of the balcony is wooden. What kind…

Replacement Shade Tree

Good Day, We live in the Scarborough Bluffs and have two crabapple trees that have unfortunately died due to blight. They provided shade and visual interest over a backyard patio, and we’d like to plant two new trees in their…

Butterfly/bee gardens

Would conditions in a small churchyard in downtown Toronto be suitable to attract butterflies and bees? The space faces north, is bordered by buildings on three sides and a busy road on the fourth, and gets about 3-4 hours of…

Gardening in a mostly shady plot

Hello, I am interested in designing a garden for our front and back yard. I really love the work of Piet Oudolf, but we don’t have full sun in the front yard. Partial sun. pretty shady in the backyard. (…

Ground cover for erosion control in shady ravine

Hi there, My yard backs onto a ravine in Cliffcrest just near the Scarborough Bluffs (but not on the Bluff). I’m looking for a recommendation for a low maintenance, shade tolerant ground cover that could help control erosion on an…