Many think Mediterranean shade gardening is an apt descriptor for our local climate and light quality. In fact, for lots of plants, full sun in Puget Sound is akin to part shade in California. The fewer number of sunny days and the softer quality of sunlight in our area, makes it ideal for shade loving plants. We can take advantage of shade.

"SHADE: planting solutions for shady gardens," by Keith Wiley (Timber Press, 2006) waxes poetically about the quality of shade and range of plants possible in areas surrounding the Puget Sound. Our climate is more akin to Cornwall and southwest England than any other region of the globe.

During winter months, we may find ourselves describing the climate as "damp", "dull", "dark" and "dreary". On summer days over 80 degrees, however, we are more likely to use words like "restful", "relaxing", "comfortable" and "calming" to describe the shade. Wiley shows us how these positive feelings are encouraged and enhanced by our planting schemes. He warns us that the "...downside to this is that this form of gardening can become compulsive, even addictive, and you can start to crave even more shaded areas to cultivate." Not to fear when full sun can count as part shade!

Two valuable chapters in this well photographed book are the ones on Urban Retreats and on Combining Shade Lovers. Since most of us live in smaller spaces these days, and a lot of us want less space to care for, guidance on how to use and dramatize urban gardens is in high demand. Wiley suggest we let the design and planting style be dictated by the primary use of a space. If an outdoor living space is preferred, then more hardscape is appropriate. In other words, envision the garden area as a special room.

Advice on how to combine plants is always appreciated, and, indeed, there are many garden books strictly written for plant combinations. In his tome, Wiley takes us through the degrees of shad from light shade (as that found under a high tree canopy), dry shade (we all know that challenge on the north side of structures), through full shade (which is not the same as the total shade under a deck, for example) with good light. His combinations are inspired by color and texture of leaves: the most common element of shade gardening.

Any gardener who has ever planted a tree knows that over time we get more and more shade in our gardens. This book is for those who love trees and the opportunities to bask in comforting shade.

Q: A neighbor recently planted a Japanese Redwood (crypto-something) recommended by another garden writer. I've checked it out and this innocent looking tree will grow over 100 feet, blocking my view. How do I tell the neighbor about this plant's secret life?

A: Cryptomeria japonica is a beautiful tree and often recommended for planting in Puget Sound gardens because it hails from a similar climate in Asia (Japan, Korea, NE China). The accepted common name is Japanese Cedar (though it is not a true cedar) and Japanese Redwood is often used because of its beautiful red peeling bark.

In its native environment, these indeed are forest trees. Trees rarely reach these maximum heights in cultivation because we change the landscape before they can mature. Is there a mature Douglas fir in a domestic landscape planted as a seedling?

The Japanese cedar is likely to get 50 to 60 feet tall and 20 to 30 feet wide over 30 or more years. The Lazy Garden includes a feathery C. j. 'Elegans' that is 10 years old and 15 feet tall. While the species is deep green, overlain with a burgundy tint in cold weather, 'Elegans' is chartreuse and adds copper overtones when cold. This useful evergreen has a number of cultivars and foliage qualities ranging from rope-like to light and feathery.

Factors limiting the vigor of Japanese cedar will be quality of the soil and dependability of moisture. This tree requires deep, rich soil and frequent irrigation for optimum growth. In poor soil with erratic watering, it will grow slower.

These are beautifully feathery trees, soft, almost succulent, to the touch. Suitable for larger gardens, they would not be recommended for a restricted urban setting or where they might interfere with view sightlines of neighbors - simple courtesy. I suggest a polite conversation with the neighbor while sharing this column.

Do you have a question for Stephen Lamphear? Send a message to Lazy.gardener@comcast.net