diff --git a/src/axisitem.cpp b/src/axisitem.cpp
index 09a6ee9..f2823cf 100644
--- a/src/axisitem.cpp
+++ b/src/axisitem.cpp
@@ -18,6 +18,8 @@ m_shades(parent),
 m_labels(parent)
 {
     //initial initialization
+    m_shades.setZValue(0);
+    m_grid.setZValue(2);
     createItems();
 }