Textured Shade

To create this garden (6m x 3m), you will need:

Plants

• 4x Maidenhair Fern (zone 2)
• 9x Korean Goat’s Beard (zone 4)
• 3x Green Velvet Boxwood (zone 4b)
• 3x Northern Sea Oats (zone 4)
• 1x Dwarf Burning Bush (zone 3)
• 2x August Moon Plantain Lily (zone 3)
• 3x Sensitive Fern (zone 3)
• 3x Giant Knotweed (zone 3)
• 1x Black Hat Rhododendron (zone 4)
• 2x Snowberry (zone 2)

Other

• Potting soil (quantity varies depending on soil quality)
• Mycorrhizae
• Compost (quantity varies depending on soil quality)
• Mulch (to reduce weeding and watering needs)
• Garden shovel

1. Planning and Design

• Print the selected Floria garden plan information.
• The presented plan is a standard layout inspiration that you can adapt according to your existing design and the constraints of your land.
• Determine the desired final size of the flower bed and its exact shape (more rounded, square, rectangular, etc.).
• Measure and clearly mark the area of ​​your flower bed.
• Use stakes and string to precisely delineate the space.

2. Soil Preparation

• Weeding: Remove all weeds (or grass) present in the area. Use a shovel, a hoe, or a sud cutter
• Soil aeration: Dig the soil to a depth of 20-30 cm to aerate it and promote drainage.
• Soil improvement: Incorporate compost and potting soil to enrich the soil and improve its structure. The amount will depend on the quality of your existing soil.

3. Planting

• Arrange the plants in the bed according to your plan. Adjust the spacing if necessary (the plan assumes mature plants).
• Water the plant thoroughly before removing it.
• Dig planting holes slightly larger than the plant root balls.
• Carefully remove the plants from their containers.
• Add mycorrhizae directly to the root ball to promote rooting.
• Place each plant in its hole, ensuring that the root collar (the base of the stem) is at soil level.
• Fill the holes with the mixture of soil, compost, and potting soil.
• Lightly firm the soil around the plants.
• Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.

• Water regularly, especially during dry spells, ideally early in the morning, until the plants are well established.
• Mulch the soil to retain moisture (10 cm of mulch), limit weeds, and protect the roots from the cold.
• For a more formal and contemporary look, trim boxwood (Buxus) hedges once or twice each summer, and Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) hedges, depending on the shape you prefer (squarer or more rounded).
• Fertilize as needed, depending on the plant type, each season.
• Prune shrubs and conifers to maintain their shape and promote growth.
• Pruning shrubs and perennials (if necessary) is generally done after flowering.
• Monitor for diseases and pests.

* Boxwood (buxus) will remain more attractive if pruned with shears rather than hedge trimmers.
* Cut back Giant Knotweed to the ground in the fall with large shears or hedge trimmers.
* Rhododendrons prefer acidic soil to bloom. You can always add an acidifying fertilizer if the soil isn’t acidic enough.