Hello Toronto Master Gardener,
I’d appreciate any ideas of what plants to plant for a bed that is below our deck.
We have a deck that sits is 4.5 ft feet about the ground.
Below the deck is a bed that is 12 ft long and 3 ft wide.
I would like to plant something that would grow to fill in the space between the ground and the floor of the deck. I would also love to get suggestions on filler plants as well.
I am in Zone 6 , the bed gets full sun, soil has been newly reconditioned.
Thank you in advance for your suggestions
Thank you for your question. As you have full sun, you have many options open to you regarding plant choices. Lucky you!
Considerations other than the height of the deck include: maintenance (hours per week), watering (is there a nearby hose or water barrel to collect rainwater), colour choices, winter interest, secondary purpose of garden (vegetables, cut flowers, attracting pollinators or birds), and style of garden (formal vs informal, vegetable vs English cottage, etc.).
You mention that the soil is newly reconditioned. Toronto soil is typically fairly compacted and slightly alkaline to neutral pH. Soil texture is difficult to alter and can impact the health of your plants: depending where in the city you are located, you may have mostly clay or mostly sand. Please see Toronto Master Gardeners’ Garden Guide Soil Fertility to provide you with information on this important topic.
Your garden will be most successful if it reflects your lifestyle and personal taste. Here are links to several Toronto Master Gardeners’ Garden Guides to get you started!
A fairly low-maintenance solution to hide the front of the deck would be an evergreen hedge. You can find several suitable options, such as yews, in Evergreens Suitable for Hedging. I would avoid all boxwoods as they have proven difficult to keep healthy in recent years due to an increased number of pests.
You might also consider a row of native shrubs that would help support birds and pollinators. Gardening with Native Shrubs has several that would work such as New Jersey Tea or Smooth Rose. If you prefer non-native shrubs, see Ornamental Shrubs for Various Light Conditions. Paniculata hydrangeas are an option as long as their requirement for more water is met.
If you prefer lots of flowers, try the guides Pollinator Garden or Drought Tolerant Perennials. Make sure to check the height of the plants with and without flowers. Lower-height perennials will make great filler plants. If you want colour that lasts all season long, flowering annuals will provide the greatest choice but will need to be replaced every spring.
The most labour intensive option would be a vegetable garden. Growing Urban Vegetables will give you some ideas on what to grow. You could also use green, leafy plants such as lettuce, spinach and kale as edible filler plants.
Finally, consider using a natural mulch such as shredded leaves or compost between the plants. This will help conserve moisture and build organic matter.
Visiting one or more nurseries or garden centres is a good idea too. You will be able to see a variety of plants to help you visualize your garden. If all this seems overwhelming, try Landscape Ontario to find a professional garden designer to work with you.
Best of luck with your garden!