Shade Retreat
Site size: 200 ft² under mature trees
Timeline: Design and planted over one fall season
Client Goals:
Brighten a formerly gloomy, nonfunctional shaded area
Add brightness and texture
Keep maintenance and watering to a minimum
Avoid invasive or short-lived species
Site Constraints:
Deer pressure in the area
Poor soil quality and persistent weeds
Limited light penetration restricting flower options
Solutions:
Amended soil with compost to improve structure and fertility
Installed dense planting and mulch to suppress weeds and conserve moisture
Chose contrasting foliage to provide interest without reliance on flowers
Selected deer-resistant perennials to reduce browsing damage
Added a pale stone path for year-round brightness and visual contrast
Services Provided by Madeline Quigley Garden Design:
Custom dry-shade planting design
Sourcing of perennials
Soil improvement, planting, and mulching
Result:
A serene, textured garden that transformed a dark, weedy corner into a lush, bright, low-maintenance garden.
Photos:
