I’ve been turning a “wild area” right off our front yard into a shade area with a bench and a birdbath. I’m leaving the native ferns and wildflowers when I can and adding hostas, columbines and bleeding hearts. I also decided to mix in herbs that prefer shade. You may have a similar area, so I thought I would share what herbs will do well.

* Chervil, Anthriscus cerefolium
* Lady’s mantle, Alchemilla vulgaris
* Lemon balm, Melissa officinalis
* Mints, Mentha sp.
* Valerian, Valeriana officinalis
* Sweet Woodruff, Galium odoratum
* Angelica archangelica, angelica
* Asarum canadense, wild ginger
* Jewelweed, Impatiens capensis
* Nettles, Urtica dioica
* Goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis
* Elecampane, Inula helenium
* Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata
* Comfrey, Symphytum officinale
* Sweet violet, Viola odorata
* Wintergreen, Gaultheria Procumbens
* American pennyroyal, Hedeoma pulegioides

There are others that will tolerate a little shade but these are the herbs that should do well. My area has three younger oak trees that shade it, but there are also spots with quite a bit of sun where I can mix in a few sun loving herbs as well.

When you plant in shade you want to make sure their is plenty of organic material added to the soil. As a general rule I don’t fertilize my herbs, but if you need to be sure to use an organic fertilizer. Also, be aware that the sweet woodruff, violets, and mints will spread.

If you have enough room that’s okay. If not, keep an eye on them and dig up to transfer when you see the volunteers. Mints can be planted in big pots and buried for control. If you want to add some color you can add foxgloves, nicotiana, schizanthus, Wishbone flower (torenia fournieri), mimulus (monkey flower), astilbe or daylilies.