Planting Under Roof Overhangs In Shaed

A roof overhang can create a band of dry shade near the house.

Planting under roof overhangs in shaed.

When planting under trees keep in mind that tree roots suck up much of the available water and give a fair amount of shade once the leaves fill in. You could fill the area with river rock mulch bricks etc. By moving out from under the overhang there will be much less maintenance work and the plants will love it. One thing i didn t consider how dry it is under the roof overhangs.

Notice how the trees and shrubs in this foundation planting are placed beyond the drip line of the overhanging eaves. Hi i d leave that area as an access trail for painting etc and either move plants or plant outside the eave perimeter. Dry shade can even be found under plants. Rain snow and ice will damage any plant in that location sometimes terminally.

Planting directly under the drip line is asking for trouble. Planting under evergreens is tough because there s little light and plants have to compete with roots for. I don t have much use for them but maybe aspidistra cast iron plant. Plants also enhance the visual environment and create pleasant filtered light see landscaping and garden design.

In addition to providing shade plants can assist cooling by transpiration. They are 24 plus gutters so about 30 deep. A building or fence that blocks the wind may affect the rain direction in windy storms. Meanwhile house eaves often shelter plants from rain and not in a good way.

Tolerating dry shade is not the same as thriving in it. If you plant beneath an overhang be prepared to water these plants throughout the growing season. It s going to remain as natural and rustic as practicable using native plants where they make sense. Even if other areas under the overhang receive partial sun for a few hours per day the back row is unlikely to get a significant.

Note too that water cascading off a roof can damage plants below. Design the back layer with plants tolerant of full shade. Fixes for dry shady plantings. I ve noticed how dry it is under the eaves now that the gutters are up.

But i don t think i have as much shade as it looks like you have. At my house in the sandhills the roof overhang is about the only place that gets enough water to keep the above plants alive. Rain snow and ice will damage any plant in. Plants can provide shade and act as windbreaks.