Low-maintenance landscape for shaded yard? (landscaping, growing, Ferns, Hydrangea)

[brianf408]

I'm going to be doing some landscaping in my back yard after a drainage and re-grading project (which I will make a different thread about). The yard is mostly shade, not much grass growing, and there will be very little grass when I'm through with the major project.

What can I plant in the yard that will thrive in the shade, not look terrible, and require little maintenance - at least no more maintenance than mowing the yard.

[seasick]

Do you get adequate rainfall over there in KS? I am thinking SWATHS of ajuga, hosta, wandering jew, ferns, if it's a damp shade.

Try a sedum if it's a drier shade, or some of the "black" grasses.

[Pitt Chick]

Hosta... all sorts of different ones to make it interesting.

[Linda_d]

Pachysandra will grow in shade and even does well under pines and other conifers. Don't forget ferns if you have damp shade. Goat's beard (aruncus), cimicifuga, lady's mantle, coral bells, astilbe, bleeding hearts, lungworts, and solomon's seal are all good choices. For bright splashes of color, plant the reliable annual impatients.

For shrubs, rhododendrons do very well in part shade and mountain laurel is good for deep shade, although it's finicky as far as soil and siting. Hydrangeas also take part shade.

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