Dry Shade Around Foundation
I have an area on the east side of my home in NW Iowa that is covered by our roof eaves. I don't want the garden to have anything too tall in it as it is right in front of some windows. The area is about 4' wide by 12' long. The last 4' of the long way does get a bit of sun... I did see something called a "yew" that I really liked and if that would work, I'd like to include it with other things.
Lack of light and water caused by the overhanging roof make it difficult to grow plants in this situation. Add organic matter and mulch the soil to create a better growing environment. Then plan on watering thoroughly whenever the soil is dry.
Now for a few shade tolerant plants - Yews are shade tolerant and should work in this situation. You may want to add some flowering plants such as hydrangea, Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), snowberry (Symphoricarpos) or black jetbead (Rhodotypos scandens) for added interest.
Add a few shade tolerant perennials such as ferns, hostas, astilbe and bleeding heart. Shade tolerant groundcover such as vinca and deadnettle (Lamium maculatum) will help tie the garden together.
