Evergreen vines for shade

» savsmith - Hmm, I'm not quite sure how I got here but it certainly seems t

Hmm, I'm not quite sure how I got here but it certainly seems to be a place I would want to be. So let's get to it - I live in Coastal Georgia, Savannah. Or to be more precise, on one of the little barrier islands about halfway between Savannah and the Atlantic. A beautiful place with special conditions as we all have. USDA Zone 8b or as Southern Living terms it, Coastal South. It gets hot, not as hot as some other places I've lived but combined with the everpresent summer humidity, it can be very rough for plants and mankind alike. Now to the reason for my message. I have some less than desireable next door neighbors. I have been casting about for a way to block the view to some unseemly conditions but didn't really want to put up a fence. Eureka, says I, I'll put up a living fence. Got that done in the front yard with one of my favorite shrubs, some camellias. Now for the back yard, I intend to put up a trellis or two and plant some evergreen vines. I just can't decide which ones. If anyone has had some experience with these vines and could share any info, I would be very appreciative.

Thanks,
Clarence

-- posted by savsmith

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» Marge_Talt - Re: Hmm, I'm not quite sure how I got here but it certainly see

In response to message posted by savsmith:

Hi Clarence, Welcome to Gardening in Shade!

Will the trellis be in sun or shade or part sun/shade?

What kind of soil do you have?

Let me know and I'll see what I can come up with for you.

-- posted by Marge_Talt

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» savsmith - Re: Re: Hmm, I'm not quite sure how I got here but it certainly

Hi Marge:

Thanks for your rapid response. Actually, I got a little hasty yesterday and left out some critical info. First, this will be in a seriously shady location. Just as an example, I have Aspidistra, Ferns, what few Hosta's that will survive Savannah summers, impatiens, and caladiums in the bed directly beneath where I want to put the trellis. Second, we have sand for soil. And I do mean sand, this entire area has been above and under water over the eons. What we've ended up with for soil is basically dirty beach sand. I jokingly remark that the only moisture anything around here gets is what it grabs during the water's rapid descent to the hardpan.

I love shade gardening and I'd delighted to have discovered this little niche.

I can't think of anything else pertinent at the moment.

Clarence

-- posted by savsmith

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» Marge_Talt - Re: Hmm, I'm not quite sure how I got here but it certainly

In response to message posted by savsmith:

Well, Clarence, you sure know how to pick a spot that will be a challenge for about any plant:-)

Here are a few that might make it there:

• Bignonia capreolata - (crossvine) - May be semi-evergreen not sure it will flower in dense shade; self clinging; medium moisture.
  
• Gelsemium sempervirens - (yellow jessamine) - Needs decent moisture to look its best and some light to flower well.
  
• Ficus pumila - (creeping fig) - Self clinging; tolerates dry soil
  
• Smilax smallii - Wants well drained but not too dry soil, so may not work if you don't irrigate.
  

-- posted by Marge_Talt

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» doss - Re: Re: Hmm, I'm not quite sure how I got here but it certainly

In response to message posted by Marge_Talt:

I'll bet that Ficus will work there too. It may take some time to get established but then it can be invasive if not controlled. On a fence great. On a house, not so great. Shear every year to get rid of the large leaves and you'll be happier.

I have Bignonia growing in pretty deep shade and it's very happy but get's even happier crawling under the camellias.

We have clay here and have to amend all of our plantings. Sounds like you might be happier just biting this bullet and hauling in good soil.

-- posted by doss

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» Marge_Talt - Re: Hmm, I'm not quite sure how I got here but it certai

In response to message posted by doss:

Hi Doss, Welcome to Gardening in Shade!

Your bio says you garden in S.F. and you say your soil is clay... I lived there over 35 years ago and had just started gardening then. I remember the soil I had as very sandy. Where in the city are you? I lived in the Haight and then the outer mission...long time ago, but I remember that city with great fondness; fantastic city, I think my fav. here in the US.

Since Clarence is way south of me, I listed plants I'm really not that familiar with for him; very interesting about the Ficus. I'd love to be able to grow that, but it just isn't going to survive my winters outside.

Thanks for your input on this thread...dunno what happened to Clarence!

-- posted by Marge_Talt

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» plantgal419 - Dry Shade

Hello.......I would love anyones imput on trees, shrubs, perennials that can handle dry shade. I live on the coast of Virginia and we have woods on a sand dune. We have a top layer of organic matter with almost straight sand below.....and shade. I would love some imput for my landscape.
Thanks you all!

-- posted by plantgal419

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» Marge_Talt - Re: Dry Shade

In response to Dry Shade posted by plantgal419:

Hi Plantgal419, Welcome to Gardening in Shade!

There are numerous plants that once established can deal with dry shade of varying degrees.

Plants have different tolerances of shade and/or need for shade. What type of shade you have will make a considerable difference in just what plants will grow well for you. You say you have woods - what types (species) of trees make up that woods? Are they evergreen or deciduous? How low to the ground are the tree branches? If they are less than 15' (4.5m) from the ground, the first thing you need to do is limb them up which allows light and air in so that perennials and understory shrubs can grow. Woodlands tend to be dry in summer and on sand, which drains really fast, your soil will be dry. Can you irrigate to get whatever you plant established during its first season? The answer to this question will also help determine what has a chance of survival and establishment for you.

I garden on clay, so do not have first hand experience with sandy soil (other than in my sand bed). I do know that sandy soil needs the addition of copious amounts of organic material since it is generally nutrient poor. Adding organic material in the form of compost, leaf mold, rotted woodchips; rotted (black) sawdust bagged pine superfines will also help your soil hold moisture longer. You'll also want to keep the soil mulched unless you select a plant that actually prefers it dry - and there are quite a few of those, too. Mulching helps conserve moisture, keeps the soil temperature more stable, encourages earthworms and other soil critters and ultimately feeds the soil - which feeds your plants.

Without knowing just what you have in mind, the size of the space you're working with and more about the conditions you have, it's a bit hard to recommend plants that would be suitable for your garden:-) If you get a bit more specific about what you have and what you want, I can be of more specific help here.

One of my favorite garden authers, Pamela Harper, lives in the Newport News/ Norfolk area - perhaps not too far from you - and gardens on acid, sandy soil. She has sunny areas but also quite shady areas in her garden. In her book, Time-Tested Plants: Thirty Years in a Four-Season Garden (published by Timber Press - ISBN 0881924865), she describes trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, bulbs and vines that have grown well for her. My chapter of the North American Rock Garden Society visited her garden this spring - it's fabulous! I suggest you get a copy of her book - it's available at Amazon.com and also through some of the used booksellers on the web - or you might be able to find a copy at your local library. Since Pam's garden is in your area and her soil is similar, I feel certain you will find that some of the plants she describes would work for you as well. Pam, who's a member of my chapter, is a superb plantswoman as well as a lovely person.

-- posted by Marge_Talt

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» FYNFAN - Re: Hmm, I'm not quite sure how I got here but it certainly see

In response to Hmm, I'm not quite sure how I got here but it certainly seems t posted by savsmith:

Dear Clarence:

Lots of good ornamental shrubs and groundcovers can be grown in the shade in your area. My concern is for salt-tolerance. Make sure you check that out.

Confederate jasmine is an excellent choice. Blooms in sun or shade. Cross Vine, Bignonia capreolata has orange flowers, vigorous growth. Trumpet creeper is good, blooms in either sun or shade. Leather flower is a great vine with moderate salt tolerance. Algerian ivy has excellent salt tolerance and while usually a groundcover can be trained to grow up a trellis.

For more choices - check out my webpages:

Foundation plants for shady areas has groundcovers http://cfyn.ifas.ufl.edu/shrub.html

Vines for the Southeast AND Salt Tolerant Plants http://cfyn.ifas.ufl.edu/flora.html

Ornamental Shrubs for Shady Areas:
http://cfyn.ifas.ufl.edu/shrub.html

My home page also has a search which will take you to dozen more articles that will help you choose site appropriate landscaping.

Good luck!

-- posted by FYNFAN

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