Plug Kit - Shade Combo #1

50 deep plugs for your shade garden

5 plugs each of 10 species for a total of 50 deep plugs. 
Approximate coverage area is 60-100 square feet.

Nurture nature in your garden with this shade-loving combination of sedges and flowering perennials. It's easy to grow, resilient, and begins blooming as early as March and extending well into the fall. Across the growing season, it offers flowers in shades of pink and purple joined by bright blooms of white and yellow. Species in this mix support wildlife with food, shelter, and nesting materials.       

In creating this combination, we were mindful of the challenge of covering ground in shady conditions, especially underneath trees. If planted together, the initial footprint of this garden is relatively small. However, over time, most of these species will colonize and provide more coverage and support for wildlife. The overall profile of this kit is relatively low-growing with a few taller species for height variation and increased habitat diversity.   

Species list and recommended plant spacing:

Carex socialis (low woodland sedge)
Spacing: 18"-24"
Bloom time: spring

Sedum ternatum (woodland stonecrop)
Spacing: 12"-16"
Bloom time: spring

Polemonium reptans (Jacob's ladder)
Spacing: 12"-16"
Bloom time: spring

Symphyotrichum cordifolium (common blue wood aster)
Spacing: 18"-24"
Bloom time: summer, fall

Heuchera americana (American alumroot)
Spacing: 12"-18"
Bloom time: spring, summer

Packera aurea (golden ragwort)
Spacing: 12"
Bloom time: spring

Tiarella cordifolia (heartleaf foamflower)
Spacing: 12"-18"
Bloom time: spring

Carex laxiculmis 'Hobb' (Bunny Blue® spreading sedge)
Spacing: 12"-18"
Bloom time: spring

Eurybia divaricata (white wood aster)
Spacing: 12"-16"
Bloom time: summer, fall

Solidago caesia (bluestem goldenrod)
Spacing: 12"-18"
Bloom time: summer, fall

Spacing and layout:
Although planting design is highly personal, we've included a model layout to spark ideas. The model depicts plants at their mature size and in full bloom; in real life, the plants bloom at different times of the year and will mature at different rates. This kit includes several species that will colonize, so total coverage area when plants have spread will vary considerably, and the original layout will blur as plants move.

As you consider your layout, here are a few helpful guidelines.

• Plant densely. In nature, plants do not live in isolated islands surrounded by wood mulch but form tight-knit communities. Plants need to interact with each other to thrive and create a green mulch. Leaving a little "elbow room" for the spreaders is fine but may require more attention to keep weeds at bay in those spots.
• Create a rhythm by planting in groupings. Plants from each species in this kit can be divided into a group of two plants and one of three. 
• Be mindful of plant heights and seasons of interest. The very low-growing Sedum is best placed near edges to prevent it being entirely covered.

Cultivation:
If you have tried growing lawn in the shade of trees, you'll know it rarely does well. Turf grasses are typically shallow-rooted and not shade tolerant, and repeated mowing compacts the soil. This kit is a great choice for converting that area and building a native plant community. The deeper root systems of these plants will create channels to allow moisture, oxygen, and nutrients to penetrate the soil; natural cycles of dormancy and root death will add organic material, encouraging a thriving community of microbes and fungi. This is a place to let the plants, fallen leaves, and other organic matter do the work. This kit combination does best with soil that contains some organic matter and has the ability to retain moisture. Some of the species do occur in rocky or gravelly habitats (e.g., Heuchera americana and Sedum ternatum), but it's often where moisture is readily available. Note: once planted, do not pile leaves onto the area in the fall. It will smother the plants, especially the evergreen ones, which should be kept clear.

You can read more about planting under trees on our blog: Soft Landings Add Life Under Native Trees  

Light requirements:
The plants we selected perform best under open shade, such as what occurs under trees with a high canopy. There is, however, some wiggle room: planting under a tree's dripline, where the plants will receive morning and late afternoon sun is fine, but you should avoid midday sun. At the other end of the light spectrum, few plants do well under deep shade, as occurs under evergreen trees or trees with a canopy that reaches close to the ground.

Water requirements:
The plants in this shade kit do best with consistent moisture, although most will withstand drier conditions. The foliage of Polemonium reptans and Tiarella cordifolia might show signs of stress during extended dry periods—especially if exposed to more sun—while Packera aurea and Solidago caesia are quite tolerant of dry conditions once established. The rule of thumb for these species is that the more sun they are exposed to, the higher the moisture requirements will be.

Planting and maintenance:
First and foremost when planting under trees is to be mindfull of their roots. You will want to create as little disturbance as possible. You will want to remain flexible with your design, and consider it better to move your plants around rather than damage any larger tree roots.

If the planting area is bare and/or the soil is low in organic matter, it may be helpful to add a light dressing of composted leaf mulch. You can also rake leaves, twigs, and other lightweight natural materials into the area. They will break down over time, adding organic matter and improving soil health. If you’re replacing turf or undesirable plants that are already there, our suggestion is to use a 4”-6” layer of arborist wood chips to smother them. Research on arborist wood chips supports their ability to avoid compaction and promote soil and plant health. They’re a good foundation for your planting if you have existing vegetation, however, you will need to plan ahead: you will want to give the chips enough time to start breaking down and wait until the height of the layer has reduced by at least half.

Installing a plug requires you dig a hole only large enough for the plug to fit in snugly. If you plan to add composted leaf mulch, you may spread it first and then plant into it, being careful not to bury the planted plug when putting the mulch back in place. Alternatively, you can plant first and mulch around the plugs. Once planting is done, thoroughly water in the plugs to eliminate any air gaps. The plugs will establish quickly. Monitor the plugs and provide supplemental water if the surrounding soil dries out below a depth of 1".

We do not recommend "fall cleaning" because the seed from these plants will be a food resource for birds during the winter months, and the dry stems and foliage will provide needed shelter for pollinators. Come early spring, the stems can be cut back. Many insects and bees nest in the lower stems and all might not have emerged yet. So it is best to cut the stems high (12" to 18") and leave them up through the following spring. New growth in the current season will cover the stems, and they'll fulfill their sheltering role.

NOTE: We do not recommend reapplying mulch after the initial planting. Doing so may discourage the seeds of your intended plants from germinating successfully. Ideally, the goal is to have the plants spread and create a “living mulch” that will keep moisture in and weeds out. Letting leaves, small twigs, and natural materials accumulate will also help.

Ecoregions:
As well-intentioned as we are, choosing 10 species that met our targeted requirements to be included in this kit and have them be native to the range of ecoregions that we ship our plants to, proved to be impractical. The majority of these plants are native to our entire range; however, depending on your location, you might find a couple of species that are not.

Deer resistance:

Depending on the density of the deer population, their individual tastes, and other available food sources in the vicinity, deer resistance is a sliding scale. Some gardeners will consider certain plants deer resistant based on their experience, yet those same plants will be considered vulnerable by others. The majority of the plants in this Shade Combo #1 are unlikely to be browsed.