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Posted: Jul/28/2008 2:05 PM PST
I am brand new at this whole gardening thing. But, we just bought an itty bitty house with an 10'x30' side yard that buts up to the neighbors house. At most there are 3 hours of sun total a day, but that is generally between 11:30 - 2:30 in the afternoon. I planted New Guinea Impatiens, Blue Lobelia and some other plant, I can't remember the name of it, but it is a ground cover with little white blossoms (see photos). In a different area I planted a bunch of other plants (can't remember most of their names, but the Home Depot lady said they might do ok). I was told my soil is alkaline, so I mixed in a lot of mulch before planting. It has been one week and my lobelia have almost all died. I used Miracle Grow liquid fertilizer one time after about 4 days. I also have a planter out front. I really want these plants to thrive and I'm beginning to feel like I just can't do this. Please take a look at my photos and make any suggestions you can. Thanks! Attachments:      |
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Posted: Jul/28/2008 2:11 PM PST
I meant to post this in the annual forum, but accidentally selected the perennial one. Not sure how to move it. But I would still love advice. |
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Posted: Jul/28/2008 6:41 PM PST
First of all, welcome to GG!!  And I would kill to have such a great looking lawn! I have given up the fight with the crabgrass and bermuda grass who are intent on taking over my poor fescue- I've come to the conclusion they aren't bad turfgrasses at all LOL!Hmmm, I never had much luck with annual lobelia's- they always did the same that yours did. Actually- I don't have much luck with annuals at all LOL! First off- great job getting your soil tested! I have never done that, probably should... That said, the best way to make it neutral would be to add the right conditioner to bring the acidity up- not sure what that is right off  I'm sure someone else can answer that.Next would be to add organic matter to the soil- compost, composted manure, shredded leaves (my personal favorite as I am surrounded by trees). I have clay soil so that is very important for me! Once that is done you can add the plants- try to pick those that like alkaline soils, they'll do best for you, as opposed to those that like acid soil which will just sort of survive. Finally add mulch on the top of the soil, keeping about an inch away from the base of the plants. I personally use grass clippings- so long as they aren't treated with herbicides and more shredded leaves. They'll break down over the season and work to improve the soil even more (you can never have too much organic stuff  ). Any organic mulch will work well though- it's really just personal taste and aesthetics. It will help to keep weeds in check, as well as holding moisture in the soil.It all sounds like hard work, and expensive- it can be and usually is- but any garden is only as good as it's soil! The work you put into this step will pay off in spades with large, healthy, happy, blooming plants that require a lot less maintenance  All this will be pretty easy as you have all annuals planted- in the fall after they die you can work on the soil. My suggestion would be to add as many perennials as you can afford, looking for those that like part-sun. Fill in the bare spots with annuals until you can buy more perennials. Start small, do a little at a time then it won't seem so daunting (or expensive LOL!) Trust me on that! When we first bought our house, all we had was "lawn", a large oak, a cedar, a pear, and uncontrolled Japanese Honeysuckle and Trumpet Creeper. Over a period of 7 years I have put in 1 bed a year (some large). Still adding beds, and adding new plants to existing beds, rearranging entire beds, the fun never stops Still dealing with honeysuckle and creeper, but am bringing them under control a little more every year.
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Posted: Jul/29/2008 4:27 AM PST
I never had any luck with lobelia myself. Regular impatiens would like the shade. Maybe you can find some inexpensive ones to replace the others. |
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Posted: Jul/29/2008 4:39 AM PST
Funny, I love the annual lobelia, but have never had much luck with it either. I do however love annual impatients.. they do well in the shade. Some shade perennials woudld be coral bells, there are lots of differents kinds also a row of some hosta might look well there There are lots of different hostas.
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Posted: Jul/29/2008 11:30 PM PST
I have heard that hostas would work well in the shade, but do they ever have any color other than green? Obviously I am new at this.
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Posted: Jul/29/2008 11:35 PM PST
You all will probably kick me off this entire forum for what I am about to say. That lawn is artificial turf...that's why it looks so lush. Our homes are so close together that it was either solid concrete or artificial turf. I opted for artificial. I'm trying to make up for it by putting in as many real plants as possible. I look forward to the day when I will have a real yard.
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Posted: Jul/30/2008 1:46 AM PST
What a hoot! Artificial turf. No wonder it looks so good! Fooled us! Hostas come in varieties of green. There are variegated yellowish green and bluish ones. They do make a flower, white. For color, your best bet is impatiens. |
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Posted: Jul/30/2008 6:56 AM PST
I have heard of that stuff! I love the idea of using it- so much less work LOL! Google "Hosta"- there are hundreds (thousands?) of different kinds! They really do "brighten" up a shady area! |
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Posted: Jul/31/2008 12:42 PM PST
Have you tried begonias or pansies? They come in many more colors than shown in my photo. You can see deep shade about to overtake these planters. Attachments:  |
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