Moist/shady area planting suggestions?
| Member | Message |
|---|---|
 |
Posted: Feb/17/2008 10:03 AM PST
I have a tiny strip of planting bed next to my front walkway, right up against the foundation of my house that gets pretty much no direct sunlight, and stays fairly damp because of it. I've always been at a loss for what to plant there. I'm a HUGE hosta fan, and I've tried hostas there, and while in bloom they look nice, but they die off and then I'm left with this 5 foot long strip of nothingness for everyone to gaze at while walking up to my door. I'd LOVE something with color there, but I know that probably isn't possible due to the lack of sunlight. I'm wondering if anyone has any great suggestions for something that would grow in such a setting... perhaps some low growing ornamental grass/fern that doesn't have a lot of width to it (the ferns that were there when we moved in grew over the walkway which was kind of inconvenient) that stay nice looking most of the year?? The rest of my yard is beautiful and I've planted just about everything I want to see in my yard... except for this one spot that I'm reminded of every time I walk up the path to my door. I've even contemplated just filling it in with some nice rock and setting some container plants there (???). |
 |
Posted: Feb/17/2008 3:56 PM PST
Astilbe Jacob's ladder Pulmonaria Toad lily |
 |
Posted: Feb/17/2008 4:19 PM PST
Himalayan maidenhair fern is a wonderful evergreen fern that spreads (lower right corner). You could interplant it with perennials and summer annuals for color and still have something in the bed during winter. The other plant in my shade bed that is still semi-evergreen is my leopard plant--the yellow spotted big-leafed one. It was doing well unti temps dipped into the teens, then some leaves had to be cut off. Both are easy care but take 2-3 seasons to really get going. Attachments:  |
 |
Posted: Feb/17/2008 6:03 PM PST
I do luv leaves, greenery and different textures. What a lovely combination! leafette 
|
|
|
Posted: Feb/18/2008 10:17 AM PST
Sweetlebee.. beautiful plants! Thanks for the suggestions everyone
|
 |
Posted: Mar/02/2008 9:13 PM PST
Some of my favorite shade plants: Fatsia japonica for height Camellias & Hardy fuchsias for color Black mondo grass for contrast Podophyllum peltatum, May apple-for texture Voodoo lillies-most varieties-for wow effect Hellebores do well Many ornamental grasses do well in moist shade My list could go on, I have a ton of moist shade!~Andrea |
 |
Posted: Apr/30/2008 7:03 PM PST
For a great WOW i suggest cardinal flower. It loves moist shade, has gorgeous red blooms. I also love my fatsia- it looks very tropical, but can get large Sweetle, Where did you get the leopard plant and the himalayan fern? I really like those. |
 |
Posted: May/01/2008 9:46 AM PST
I’m in the same situation…updating a north side entry way always in shade. While looking for ideas, found an 8-page article on color for shade in current issue of Garden Ideas magazine (Spring 08). Shows and describes many brightly colored shade plants, colors available, growing conditions, appropriate zones, water requirements, etc. Especially like the many colors of astilbes. |
|
|
Posted: May/01/2008 10:41 AM PST
I have a question. All of your posts recommends that Garden Ideas magazine. Why's that? |
 |
Posted: May/04/2008 5:41 PM PST
Sweetlebee, you have such an eye for plantings - I am still grasshoppa, trying to learn... Cimicifuga (white snake root maybe??) is native to NY but is a shade lover and needs moisture - http://www.em.ca/garden/cimicifuga_ramosa9.jpg Very stately plant - I love mine |
