The Shade Garden, the first of our demonstration gardens, was established in 1989 on the site of an old rock quarry provided by the Arlington Department of Parks & Recreation. The purpose of the garden was to educate Northern Virginians about gardening in shade. Plants were donated by many nurseries, individuals and organizations. Master Gardeners provided the labor.
The garden underwent a major transformation in 2000 when the last of the large shade trees, a chestnut oak, fell. The garden features plants native to this region and is certified as a National Wildlife Federation “Backyard Wildlife Habitat.” A plant list is available for visitors.
Located at Bon Air Park, Wilson Blvd. at North Lexington Street between Ballston and Seven Corners. Park in the lot next to the Rose Garden and follow the walkway into the park. Please click the following link to download a plant list for the Shade Garden: Shade Garden Plant List.
Shade Garden Plant List (As-Of April 2012) (PDF) is available. Also available is the Tips for Gardening in the Shade (PDF, 3 fold-pamphlet). Regularly, we feature a plant or insect that our gardeners find topical. Read more about them in the Featured Plant – Narcissus and the Featured Insect – Syrphid Flies. (PDF)
Please enjoy the Quarry / Shade Garden photo gallery below. Click on an image to view it full size.
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- Fresh snowcover on the Shade garden. Winter 2011. Photo Credit: Mary Free
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- Autumn 2010 in the Shade garden. Photo credit: Mary Free
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- The Shade garden. Early summer 2010. Photo Credit: Mary Free
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- Summer 2010: flowers in the Shade garden. Photo Credit: Mary Free
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- Begonia in the Shade garden. Summer 2010. Photo Credit: Mary Free
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- Spring 2010 in the Shade garden. Photo Credit: Mary Free
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- Spring 2010 in the Shade Garden. Photo Credit: Mary Free
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- Another view of summer 2010 in the Shade Garden.
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- Summer 2010 in the Shade Garden.
