Planting Plan for a Shady Border
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- Carol Wallace
- JaneHollis
- Carol Wallace
- JaneHollis
- Carol Wallace
- JaneHollis
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» Carol Wallace - Variegated foliage
IT's a godsend in the shade, isn't it? Like adding drops of sunlight! My own problem garden is MUCH shadier (even hostas dwindled to nothing ness there!) - but even there I can get hellebores and ferns and variegated Solomon's seal to grow. And you can always do great spring bulbs if the trees that make the shade are deciduous.-- posted by Carol Wallace
» JaneHollis - Quite agree
In fact, I think some variegated foliage is better off in the shade, as the effect can sometimes be too glaring and 'busy' in full sun. (Plus the foliage sometimes gets scorched). As you say, each patch of shade is different - what will grow in your shady patch might not grow in mine and vice versa. We can only experiment and learn by our mistakes.-- posted by JaneHollis
» Carol Wallace - I meant to say that
About experimenting. I heartily agree. Some things that will grow in shade I learned about early in my gardening career through sheer ignorance - I planted them in shade without knowing that they were supposed to be sun plants. But profiting from that learning experience I keep trying other things and am often pleasantly surprised. The same goes for climate zones - it is amazing what turns out to be hardy despite the official climate zone ratings, especially if you can try them out in protected spots.-- posted by Carol Wallace
» JaneHollis - Tender plants
Yes, I've been experimenting with plants that are slightly tender for my zone too. Luckily my garden is quite sheltered and the soil is free-draining, which many of the more tender plants like. I usually keep a cutting or two in the greenhouse, just in case. I have grown a tender climber, Eccremocarpus scaber (sp?), from seed this year. It is usually grown as an annual here, but can occasionally survive the winter, so we will see what happens.-- posted by JaneHollis
» Carol Wallace - Sheltered gardens
I think that's where I'm lucky, too - the main garden is walled on one side, and anything I plant on that side is quite protected. So I can risk things that are a full zone or more less hardy that the climate outside the garden.-- posted by Carol Wallace
» JaneHollis - Microclimates
I think that is half the fun of gardening - finding those little microclimates within your garden where you can grow plants with special requirements. It is amazing how many different areas can be found in even a small plot.-- posted by JaneHollis
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