Episode Title: Winter Prep for Shade Gardens: Essential Tips to Protect Your Plants As the temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, it’s time to prepare your shade garden for the winter months ahead. In this episode of The Shade Gardening Podcast, we dive into essential tips and techniques to ensure your shade-loving plants survive the cold season and come back even stronger in the spring. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical...

Welcome back to The Shade Gardening Podcast! In this episode, we’re tackling one of the trickiest gardening challenges—damp, shaded areas that tend to stay wet after rainfall or remain boggy throughout the season. These areas can be tough to manage, but with the right plant selection, you can turn them into lush, thriving spaces full of texture, colour, and life. We’ll start by discussing the unique conditions of wet, shaded spots, where poor drainage and limited sunlight can make it...

Welcome to The Shade Gardening Podcast! In this episode, we’ll explore how shade-loving groundcovers can transform your garden into a low-maintenance, vibrant space. Groundcovers are ideal for filling empty spots, suppressing weeds, and adding texture to your garden, all while requiring minimal care. We’ll cover some of the best shade-loving groundcovers, including: Pachysandra terminalis (Japanese Spurge): An evergreen groundcover that thrives in deep shade, forming a dense carpet of...

In this episode of The Shade Gardening Podcast, we explore how to add structure and height to your garden using architectural shade plants. These plants bring bold form and drama to low-light spaces, helping transform flat gardens into dynamic, multi-layered spaces. We’ll discuss some of the best architectural plants, including: Fatsia japonica: With its large, tropical leaves, Fatsia grows up to 6-10 feet, making it perfect for creating a lush, jungle-like atmosphere. Rodgersia: Known for...

In this episode of The Shade Gardening Podcast, host Marcus delves into one of the most exciting aspects of shade gardening—bringing vibrant, colourful blooms into those shaded areas of your garden. While shade gardens are often known for their lush green foliage, they can also be full of colour, texture, and life! This episode will guide you through some of the best shade-loving plants that offer bursts of beauty even in low-light conditions. We start by discussing how to choose the right...

In this episode of The Shade Gardening Podcast, we’re addressing some of the most common challenges faced by shade gardeners, from dealing with compacted soil to managing pesky pests like slugs and snails. Marcus shares practical tips on improving soil health, balancing moisture, and boosting plant growth in low-light conditions. We also dive into natural solutions for pest control and explore ways to create a healthy, thriving shade garden. Plus, we’ll highlight Japanese Forest Grass in our...

In this episode of The Shade Gardening Podcast, we explore plant selection for shade gardens, with a special focus on the versatile and colorful Heuchera, also known as Coral Bells. Marcus explains how to choose the right plants for different types of shade, from full to dappled, and how to use foliage, texture, and even flowers to create a vibrant and dynamic garden in low light. Discover the best Heuchera varieties for your garden, how to care for them, and tips on using them in garden...

In this episode of The Shade Gardening Podcast, we explore how to turn your shade garden into a haven for wildlife. Learn how to attract beneficial creatures like bees, butterflies, birds, and more with the right plants and design strategies. Marcus covers the best shade-loving plants, including Pulmonaria, that provide nectar and shelter, and explains how to create habitats using layered planting techniques. We’ll also share tips on adding water features, using native plants, and avoiding...

In this episode of The Shade Gardening Podcast, we explore the fundamentals of shade gardening. What exactly is shade, and how does it differ from traditional gardening? Marcus breaks down the different types of shade—full, partial, dappled, and deep—and explains why understanding these is key to your garden's success. We also discuss the unique challenges and rewards of gardening in low light. This episode features a plant profile of the beloved Hosta, offering tips on how to care for this...

In this first episode of The Shade Gardening Podcast, Marcus, your host and a professional gardener with over 20 years of experience, introduces himself and shares his passion for shade gardening. Learn about the podcast’s focus on helping you transform those tricky, low-light areas of your garden into lush, thriving spaces. Marcus also teases future episodes that will cover plant profiles, design tips, practical advice, and interviews with experts. Whether you’re just starting your shade...