The summer heat makes shade a desirable feature in most landscapes.

Our ancestors knew to build their homes in tree groves. Shady spots were several degrees cooler than full sun and, without air conditioning, that was important. Whether your new house has been built among trees or your landscape is mature and shady, figuring out what to grow is not always easy.

Most books on shade offer information concerning what works well in the northern parts of the country. Thank goodness, a book has recently hit the market that focuses on the South.

Garden designer and landscape expert Jo Kellum has tackled the shady situation well in her new book, “Southern Shade.” Her name is familiar to Southern gardeners. She has written articles in numerous magazines, including Southern Living, Country Gardens, Simply Perfect Garden Rooms, Renovation Style, Landscape Solutions, Landscape Architecture and Garden and Deck and Landscape. She also authored the regional edition of “Landscaping 1-2-3” for Home Depot and the gardening/landscaping titles for Ortho’s “All About” series. She knows her stuff, is an excellent photographer and, in her book, presents useful information with beautiful photos.

“Southern Shade” focuses on shrubs, trees, bedding plants, vines and ground cover plants that have proven records in Southern gardens. In the introduction, Kellum explains that her primary goal is to help gardeners understand how important it is to put the right plant in the right place.

If you goThe Third Wednesday Gardeners will meet at noon May 21 at Clinton Nature Center, 617 Dunton Road, Clinton. A program on roses and a tour of Barbara Barnett’s gardens will be featured. The event is free; bring a sack lunch. Desserts and drinks will be provided. Call Freda Hartness at 601-924-9786 or 601-926-1104.Shade in the South, she says, is a peculiar animal. Some spots, deeply shaded during the summer months are often bright and sunny in the winter. Afternoon shade is often dramatically different from morning shade. Whether shade is dry or moist can dictate what thrives and what dies. Some plants need a dose of sun to flower, but cannot tolerate the afternoon rays during the hot summer months. Shade also changes from season to season in the same yard. These variables, as well as many others, can be challenges.

In her book, Kellum has included a “getting acquainted” section. It states information, such as type of plant, mature size, rate of growth, whether it’s drought tolerant, resistance to disease, type of shade and soil needed, how to use it in a landscape, other plants that can be paired with it and growing zones. A gardener can quickly determine, without much reading, if a particular plant will work in his landscape.

Color photos compliment every plant entry. One is a close-up shot of the flowers and/or leaves and another shows the shape of the mature plant in a landscape. The captions provide additional information. A mini-article about each plant gives instructions on how to plant, where to locate, sunlight requirements, cultural needs and what to do if a cold snap damages a plant. Named selections of each plant are included as well. In fact, she covers pretty much anything you might want to know about growing any of the plants included in the book.

Kellum’s writing is easy to read, thorough and quite pleasurable. In addition, the pictures make you want to get out and work in your shade garden. It is an excellent resource. The full-size paperback is published by University Press of Mississippi in Jackson and is $25 at most bookstores.

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Miriam Jabour, a Master Gardener and master flower show judge, has been active with the Vicksburg Council of Garden Clubs for more than 20 years. Write to her at 1114 Windy Lake Drive, Vicksburg, MS 39183.