Gardening in full shade is tough, but dry, compacted soil makes it even harder. Dry shade often occurs under mature trees with shallow roots, like non-native maples. Adding soil or raising the grade won’t help much and can harm the tree.
To tackle this in my garden, I annually improve the soil by loosening it with a garden fork, adding shredded leaves for better texture, and topping it with compost or composted manure for nutrients.
Some shade-loving plants adapt to dry conditions, while others, like ‘Ice Dance’ sedge, cope well despite their preference for moisture. When planting in dry shade, use …
