Figuring out what to grow in the shade is challenge enough. Throw in factors that affect southern gardeners, and the topic becomes as thorny as wild blackberry. Shade varies at different times of day, and gardeners need to take this into account. Shade changes from season to season, too, even within the same yard. In Southern Shade: A Plant Selection Guide, landscape expert Jo Kellum takes the mystery out of the murky parts of the yard. Some plants desire rich, moist soil, decaying leaves, and just a bit of sunlight that filters through leafy tree canopies. Others need shade all day long. Still, others thrive in morning shade, followed by afternoon sun or the reverse. Sometimes the soil beneath trees can be notoriously dry where tree roots absorb all the available moisture.
