Dry Shade

. Under Established Trees - High competition for water, nutrients and light.
. Beside Buildings - Heat generated from buildings and sheltered from rain.

Site Preparation

. Under trees top up soil with a rich mix
. Beside buildings amend the soil to improve the water and nutrient holding capacity.
. Use mulch to prevent evaporation and increase moisture holding capacity.
. Direct rainwater from buildings through the area with weeping tile or to an area with drainage tile.
. Consider installing simple drip irrigation with a timer for highly efficient supplementary watering.

Aggressive or Versatile Wildflowers for Dry Shade

Yarrow - A very versatile and aggressive wildflower that spreads by rhizomes. It grows in sun or shade and dry to moist soil. Its white flowers will be visible in the shade and they have a long bloom period as well as attractive fall foliage color which is a nice pinky orange.

Nodding Onions - Growing in full sun to part shade and well drained to dry soil suggests they may tolerate a drier shady site. Their flowers tend to be pink in the shade and have a delicate beauty that makes this wildflower worthy of a try!

Rosy Pussytoes - Versatility and a tolerance for shade make this wildflower a candidate for dry shade. The attractive silver/green foliage lasts well into the winter and deep pink flowers are very attractive in early summer.

Arnica - Arnicas spread by rhizomes and can be very aggressive. They are generally growing in moist to well drained shady sites and have large showy yellow daisy like flowers. Their aggressive nature may give them a leg up under a well established spruce tree.

Asters - Another rhizome spreader that can be aggressive that is a good candidate for dry shade. Asters are late season bloomers that show up just as most things are finished for the season. Asters come in a variety of sizes and have rich fall foliage colors that range from purple to red.

Wild Strawberries - This native plant wins the prize for the most versatile wildflower of all. Growing in almost every circumstance they can quickly cover an area with runners and are highly aggressive in full sun, well drained soil. Wild Strawberries are perfect for challenging growing sites. Added bonuses include white flowers, delicious small berries and amazing red fall foliage color.

Northern Bedstraw - This is another versatile wildflower that will tolerate a variety of conditions and spreads by rhizomes. The bright white flowers can really light up a shady site and the fall foliage is showy as well ranging from yellow to red.

White Geraniums - This geranium prefers moist shade but will tolerate drier soil as well as sunnier sites. This tolerance for a drier soil and its preference for shade make it worth a try in dry shade. The white flowers (sometimes pinky) are showy and bright but this wildflower wins the prize for its fall color, a spectacular neon red.

Solomon's-Seal - This rhizome spreading wildflower is also one of the most versatile and can be found growing in wet shade as well as full sun, dry soil conditions. Pretty white flowers turn to maroon berries and bright yellow fall foliage color adds to the appeal.

Showy Jacobs Ladder - This is a very versatile wildflower that shows up happily growing in many different environments. This tolerance combined with a nice form, attractive foliage and showy flowers make it worth a shot for a variety of difficult conditions.

Meadowrue - Another rhizome spreader whose aggressive nature may give it the edge it needs to survive under less than optimum conditions. Many small columbine like leaves and delicate fine but busy flowers bring a soft texture to a space. Fall brings bright yellow foliage color that makes this plant suddenly stand out and steal the show.

Early Blue Violet - This violet seems tolerant of many different scenarios and can be found in sun or shade and dry to moist soil. The flowers are many but small and it blooms in the spring and then again in the fall.

Dry Exposed Sites

. Plant in the fall, late August to the end of September and take advantage of the seasonal moisture and cooler temperatures. The onset of vegetative dormancy means fewer resources are used above ground while root growth continues well into the fall and begins again in early spring. Fall or early spring planting provides the plants with the opportunity to establish decent root systems before the heat of summer kicks in.

. Use a root promoting fertilizer to allow for maximum root establishment.

. Use a mulch to decrease evaporation from the soil and protect the crown of the plants. In some situations a rock mulch or combination of rock and organic matter may be more appropriate than wood chips.

. Direct rainwater from buildings to the area with drainage tile.

Plant Suggestions for Exposed Sites

Yarrow - White flowers, long bloom time and attractive fall foliage. Rhizomes

Prairie Sage - Aromatic silvery foliage and inconspicuous flowers. Rhizomes

Tufted Fleabane - Silvery foliage and white or pink daisies in last summer. Rhizomes

Hairy False Golden Aster - Fall blooming with many showy flowers. Seedy

Blue Flax - A long bloom period with bright eye catching flowers. Seedy

Locoweeds - Different varieties bloom white, yellow or purple with over-lapping bloom times.

Penstemons - Beautiful flowers in the spring are blue, purple or yellow all with a touch of pink.

Blue Eyed Grass - Great form and texture with pretty flowers and funky seed pods. Seedy

Harebells - Beautiful bright blue flowers all summer.