Including existing plants, especially trees, in the garden design, creates the challenge of a shaded garden. The existence of summer-dry native Oaks creates the challenge of dry shade. As a designer, I am continually looking for drought-tolerant plants that do well in shade.

Unusual and dramatic plants illuminate dry shade. Some common so-called house plants such as Spider Plant (Chlorophytum) or Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra) do quite well. Try Lady Palm or Selloum philodendron for a tropical effect. Try many of the newly available Sedges (Carexes) in groupings of the same type. They work well in the front of the dry shade border or perennial garden.

I recommend Pacific Coast Iris under old Oaks because they both dislike sprinklers. Our native Rushes (Juncus) do surprisingly well in dry shade. Viburnum quinquinervia, Sarcococca spp. and Ruscus are good candidates for clipped hedges in dry shade.  Of the Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron alliance, Camellias are by far the most drought tolerant, accepting of saline or alkaline water, and forgiving of heavy clay soils. They come in all sizes, from almost tree-like (Japonicas, Sasanquas and Hybrids), to low ground cover types like Sasanqua “Tanya”. They will bloom from Thanksgiving until after Easter. I often use them with Autumn Fern (Distichus) and Hellebores. Remember The area under our Oaks, other than the Black Oak (Quercus Kellogii) are not an appropriate habitat for Azaleas and Rhododendrons.

Traditional Japanese gardens are possibly the most successful shade landscapes. Locally, our native Redwood forests strike much the same note, serving as a inspiring design model. The essence of the Japanese gardens and Redwood forests lies in their simplicity, which conveys a sense of serenity and inner peace.

Massing a limited number of species creates a meditative and soothing environment in the dry shade garden.

Some designers pride themselves on the vast number of different plants they can work into a garden. This seems to me a questionable achievement, somewhat like wearing a great many patterns and colors all at once.