Shade environments vary enormously. They can be dry or moist, dense or light. Conditions can change during the year or even in a single day. Shady Lane features plants that grow in a variety of shade conditions. Plants vary from needing more moisture, like Hosta, to water-smart ground covers, like Lamium.

Crabapple trees (Malus) and Austrian pines (Pinus nigra) provide a variety of shade from dense to dappled. The first crabapple trees were planted in 1976 on the south side of the walk. The newest were planted on the north side of the walk following the completion of the greenhouse and orangery in 2010. Fourteen different varieties of crabapples are displayed here, selected for their resistance to common crabapple ailments such as fireblight and powdery mildew. These trees bloom from late April through mid May with an array of white to magenta blossoms. The small red fruits are attractive to wildlife in the fall and winter.

When you need a place to relax on a hot summer day, Shady Lane provides many benches in the shadows of the Austrian pines and crabapples.

For a list of plants in Shady Lane, click here.