Before and After: 3 Shady Yards Become Lush Outdoor Havens
Beautiful plantings, paving and design details brighten dark yards and create inviting outdoor living areas
A shade-filled yard with mature trees is an invitation to relax and enjoy time outside, even on the hottest days. Too often though, the deep shade, tree roots and layout challenges keep homeowners from making the most of these spaces. If you’re looking to turn your own shady spot into a luxurious oasis, see how designers combined good looks, thoughtful design and luxuriant foliage in the following three yards.
After: Algozzini was able to keep all but one of the trees, and they provide a shady arbor for an outdoor kitchen and dining area. The soft grays and blues of the bluestone-paver patio reinforce the natural look and feel of the space, and landscape screens provide privacy. Algozzini lined both sides of the patio with low, shade-loving plants to soften the edges.
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With almost all of the backyard covered in shade, Algozzini chose plants that would readily fill in the planting beds without the benefit of direct sunlight. He focused on ground covers, shrubs and perennials known for the purple and white blooms that homeowner Melanie Manning asked for.
The mix of plants includes variegated Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’), dwarf astilbe (Astilbe chinensis var. pumila), ‘Bridal Veil’ astilbe (Astilbe ‘Bridal Veil’), Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) and hostas, including ‘Big Daddy’ (Hosta ‘Big Daddy’), ‘Royal Standard’ (H. ‘Royal Standard’) and ‘Guacamole’ (H. ‘Guacamole’).
The mix of plants includes variegated Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’), dwarf astilbe (Astilbe chinensis var. pumila), ‘Bridal Veil’ astilbe (Astilbe ‘Bridal Veil’), Japanese pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis) and hostas, including ‘Big Daddy’ (Hosta ‘Big Daddy’), ‘Royal Standard’ (H. ‘Royal Standard’) and ‘Guacamole’ (H. ‘Guacamole’).
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A more formal bluestone-paver path connects the patio to a pergola, designed for lounging and entertaining, on the opposite side of the yard. The shade-loving woody plant palette on either side includes BOBO panicled hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata ‘ILVOBO’), ‘Limelight’ panicled hydrangea (H. paniculata ‘Limelight’), Korean spice viburnum (Viburnum carlesii) and Canadian hemlock (Tsuga canadensis).
A casual path of Wisconsin limestone steppingstones branches off from the main path and takes a more wandering route past a bench tucked into the greenery. Though close to the edge of the neighbor’s lawn, the plantings create a woodsy feel. The secluded spot fulfilled Melanie’s wish for a contemplative spot. “The bench’s placement is close enough to everything else to be of good use but hidden enough to be a private space,” Algozzini says.
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A casual path of Wisconsin limestone steppingstones branches off from the main path and takes a more wandering route past a bench tucked into the greenery. Though close to the edge of the neighbor’s lawn, the plantings create a woodsy feel. The secluded spot fulfilled Melanie’s wish for a contemplative spot. “The bench’s placement is close enough to everything else to be of good use but hidden enough to be a private space,” Algozzini says.
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2. Urban Update
Patio at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple who has owned the property for 30 years
Location: The Annex neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 988 square feet (93 square meters); 38 feet long and 26 feet wide, not including the garage
Designer: Fox Whyte Landscape Architecture & Design
Landscape contractor: Arbordale Landscaping
Before: This small urban backyard hadn’t been updated in 30 years and was showing its age. The mature honey locust tree was a central element, but it had outgrown its planting bed and caused the brick paving to heave.
The homeowners turned to landscape architect Kate Fox-Whyte to give their backyard a fresh look that would still relate to the traditional architecture. They wanted a space where they could read, entertain and work outside. With their window-filled house overlooking the yard, it was important that they would also be able to enjoy the design from inside the home. “It’s a visual focal point for the house,” Fox-Whyte says.
Patio at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple who has owned the property for 30 years
Location: The Annex neighborhood of Toronto
Size: 988 square feet (93 square meters); 38 feet long and 26 feet wide, not including the garage
Designer: Fox Whyte Landscape Architecture & Design
Landscape contractor: Arbordale Landscaping
Before: This small urban backyard hadn’t been updated in 30 years and was showing its age. The mature honey locust tree was a central element, but it had outgrown its planting bed and caused the brick paving to heave.
The homeowners turned to landscape architect Kate Fox-Whyte to give their backyard a fresh look that would still relate to the traditional architecture. They wanted a space where they could read, entertain and work outside. With their window-filled house overlooking the yard, it was important that they would also be able to enjoy the design from inside the home. “It’s a visual focal point for the house,” Fox-Whyte says.
After: The new design features a path of locally quarried Algonquin limestone pavers that cuts through the yard to a dining area and detached garage at the back of the yard. “It is a nice neutral buff color,” Fox-Whyte says of the material.
The bricks around the honey locust tree are dry-laid and don’t have a framed edge. This protects the tree’s roots, which were much more extensive than the designer had anticipated, and also prevents any cracking or breakdown of the paving. The lack of framing, combined with plantings that spill over the edges of their beds, also makes the design feel less rigid.
The patio has been placed at the back of the yard to help keep the eye moving throughout the space and to encourage the family and guests to explore further. “There is a tendency to keep functional spaces tight to the house. Whenever possible, we like to bring the functional spaces out into the garden so that the client is using the entire garden,” Fox-Whyte says.
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The bricks around the honey locust tree are dry-laid and don’t have a framed edge. This protects the tree’s roots, which were much more extensive than the designer had anticipated, and also prevents any cracking or breakdown of the paving. The lack of framing, combined with plantings that spill over the edges of their beds, also makes the design feel less rigid.
The patio has been placed at the back of the yard to help keep the eye moving throughout the space and to encourage the family and guests to explore further. “There is a tendency to keep functional spaces tight to the house. Whenever possible, we like to bring the functional spaces out into the garden so that the client is using the entire garden,” Fox-Whyte says.
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These beds demonstrate matrix planting, which Fox-Whyte used in the garden beds throughout the backyard. It’s a planting method meant to emulate how plants would naturally grow in the wild — layered, mixed and tightly spaced — resulting in a lovely wild look that’s often less maintenance. The beds won’t have to be mulched, because the ground covers act as a natural mulch layer, Fox-Whyte says.
This planting bed features lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina), Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum), Canadian wild ginger (Asarum canadense), pink false spirea (Astilbe x arendsii ‘Cattleya’), sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) and coral bells (Heuchera ‘Silver Gumdrop’).
The team installed the plants in a loose wave pattern, with bands of plants extending between the beds to create continuity and tie the space together.
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This planting bed features lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina), Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum), Canadian wild ginger (Asarum canadense), pink false spirea (Astilbe x arendsii ‘Cattleya’), sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum), Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra) and coral bells (Heuchera ‘Silver Gumdrop’).
The team installed the plants in a loose wave pattern, with bands of plants extending between the beds to create continuity and tie the space together.
See more of this backyard makeover
3. Side Yard Revival
Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their daughter
Location: Ballard neighborhood of Seattle
Size: Side yard: 1,500 square feet (139 square meters); overall yard: 5,400 square feet (502 square meters)
Designer: Board & Vellum
Landscape contractor: Sage and Stone
Before: These Seattle homeowners were planning to replace the fence around the side yard on their corner lot, but realized the yard itself had untapped potential they could take advantage of. Three mature Japanese maple trees provided shade and and structure, but most of the side yard was taken up by a struggling lawn and minimal plantings. Additionally, the yard’s noticeable grade change made the space hard to navigate. “They wanted to reclaim it and put it to better use,” landscape architect Leslie Batten of Board & Vellum says.
Yard at a Glance
Who lives here: A couple and their daughter
Location: Ballard neighborhood of Seattle
Size: Side yard: 1,500 square feet (139 square meters); overall yard: 5,400 square feet (502 square meters)
Designer: Board & Vellum
Landscape contractor: Sage and Stone
Before: These Seattle homeowners were planning to replace the fence around the side yard on their corner lot, but realized the yard itself had untapped potential they could take advantage of. Three mature Japanese maple trees provided shade and and structure, but most of the side yard was taken up by a struggling lawn and minimal plantings. Additionally, the yard’s noticeable grade change made the space hard to navigate. “They wanted to reclaim it and put it to better use,” landscape architect Leslie Batten of Board & Vellum says.
After: The redesign features a new fence made of tight-knot cedar, meandering flagstone paths, a small patio for relaxing and entertaining, and a wealth of plants that take advantage of the natural shade provided by the Japanese maples. The team focused first on preserving and highlighting these trees, even using the original fence post holes wherever possible so as not to disturb the trees’ extensive, shallow root systems. The team also regraded portions of the yard to ease transitions.
The new shade-friendly plant palette reflects the naturalistic Pacific Northwest feel the homeowners asked for. The team started by planting plenty of ferns. “They grow so great here,” Batten says. Chartreuse Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) adds year-round color and texture. Winter-blooming Eternal Fragrance daphne (Daphne x transatlantica ‘Blafra’) and ‘Purple Stem’ sweetbox (Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna ‘Purple Stem‘) bring seasonal interest.
‘Rozanne’ cranesbill (Geranium ‘Rozanne’), framing the path, gives the yard a dash of purple, one of the homeowners’ favorite colors.
The new shade-friendly plant palette reflects the naturalistic Pacific Northwest feel the homeowners asked for. The team started by planting plenty of ferns. “They grow so great here,” Batten says. Chartreuse Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’) adds year-round color and texture. Winter-blooming Eternal Fragrance daphne (Daphne x transatlantica ‘Blafra’) and ‘Purple Stem’ sweetbox (Sarcococca hookeriana var. digyna ‘Purple Stem‘) bring seasonal interest.
‘Rozanne’ cranesbill (Geranium ‘Rozanne’), framing the path, gives the yard a dash of purple, one of the homeowners’ favorite colors.
The team also planted native evergreen huckleberries (Vaccinium ovatum) and ‘Winter Sun’ mahonia (Mahonia x media ‘Winter Sun’), among other pollinator-attracting plants, as the homeowners wanted to welcome birds, bees and butterflies to their yard. (Soon after the garden bloomed for the first time, hummingbird visitors arrived.)
Despite having other outdoor spaces, the homeowners find themselves gravitating to this new area. “It’s their primary outdoor space now,” Batten says.
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Despite having other outdoor spaces, the homeowners find themselves gravitating to this new area. “It’s their primary outdoor space now,” Batten says.
See more of this side yard makeover
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Tour more landscapes
Browse landscape photos
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Patio at a Glance
Who lives here: Kevin and Melanie Manning and their two kids
Location: Naperville, Illinois
Size: Dining space: 224 square feet (21 square meters); social space: 336 square feet (31 square meters)
Designers: John Algozzini and Kevin Manning of K&D Landscape Management
Before: The mature hickory, oak and hemlock trees provided plenty of welcome shade in this Naperville, Illinois, backyard, but the rest of the space, with a patchy lawn and worn-out patio, didn’t encourage people to linger outside. The owners wanted to turn this neglected yard into a place the entire family would enjoy spending a lot of time in.
Fortunately, help was close by. Homeowner Kevin Manning, who is a horticulturist and the owner of K&D Landscape Management, turned to the company’s director of design, John Algozzini, to create a plant-filled design with plenty of room for dining, entertaining, playing and engaging in quiet contemplation. “Kevin picked out the materials and furniture and designed the lighting scheme. I completed the space planning, the planting plan and designed the wood structures,” Algozzini says.