Lament for the Darkness
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In a bid to create a spacious and verdant oasis, Benjamin Buchholz, a homeowner in Hamburg, designed an allotment garden spanning 260 square meters. However, the initial layout, while aesthetically pleasing, overlooked a crucial aspect: the placement of shade.
The garden, boasting a variety of vegetables, fruit trees, and ornamental plants, was intended to thrive under the ample sunlight. Yet, during the first summer, the lack of shade made the garden unbearably hot. The sightlines from the outside were not considered once the trees grew, and the trees' shadows cast unwanted darkness on certain areas.
One of the oversights was the placement of the cherry tree and apple tree, which were initially in sunny spots. These were moved to a vegetable bed and a lawn area, respectively, in an attempt to provide them with much-needed shade. Conversely, a young plum tree was planted in front of the terrace, intended to provide shade and produce sweet fruits, as well as protect from the scorching heat.
The garden's wooden structures, including the pavilion, were particularly affected by the heat. The wooden walls of the pavilion were hot enough to fry eggs, and the trellis-climbing plants, while providing food for insects and spreading a pleasant scent through their flowers, did little to alleviate the problem.
However, the trellis-climbing plants did offer shade on the cooler wooden planks of the pavilion, and the wooden walls are now covered with vines, garden honeysuckle, and a climbing rose. The sight of these vines adds a touch of charm to the garden, but it is their ecological benefits that are truly noteworthy.
Last year, Hamburg experienced an increase in average local sunshine hours, from 201 to 265 hours in August. This increase, coupled with the lack of shade in the garden, led to a harsh summer for the plants. In retrospect, the ecological benefits of the plants were not considered, and the initial design did not take into account where sunlight falls or where trees would cast shade.
To properly plan a shaded garden for maximum spaciousness and ecological benefits, it is essential to consider layering plants by height and light needs. Taller plants or trees should be strategically placed to provide shade while leaving space for lower-layer plants and groundcovers. Choosing the right trees is crucial, with large shade trees providing substantial cooling and shelter but requiring long establishment and space for root growth.
Key steps for planning a shaded garden include identifying sunny and shaded areas, placing taller trees or shrubs toward the back or center edges, using groundcovers and shade-loving perennials under the canopy, allowing spacing for future tree growth, and considering ecological functions and native species.
Fall is an ideal season to plant new trees or shade plants, as cooler weather helps establishment without heat stress. Planning well in advance with knowledge of mature tree size and plant needs ensures your shaded garden remains spacious, healthy, and ecologically beneficial over time.
With these lessons learned, Benjamin Buchholz is now redesigning his garden to create a more balanced and sustainable environment. The plum tree, now mature and providing ample shade, is a testament to the importance of considering shade placement when designing a garden.
- To create a more balanced and sustainable environment, Benjamin Buchholz is now incorporating environmental-science principles into his garden design, such as layering plants by height and light needs, and choosing native species for maximum ecological benefits.
- In the new layout, trees will be strategically placed to provide shade, reduce heat stress, and promote biodiversity, while still allowing for the growth of vegetables, fruit trees, and ornamental plants in home-and-garden settings such as the allotment garden.
- By prioritizing the placement of shade and considering the ecological benefits of trees and plants, Benjamin's garden will not only become a lush oasis but also serve as a living laboratory for adaptive lifestyle practices in relation to climate-change impacts on our home-and-garden environments.
