Re: Need planting idea for area with winter sun, summer shade


Hi Robin,

I have a similar situation in my front yard.  We have a very large chinese
elm (Ulmus parvifolia) which keeps the house shady and cool during the
summer.  Depending on the winter, the elm is either deciduous or
semi-deciduous.  Plants that are in shade during the summers are then
exposed to either bright light or full sunshine for many hours.  I am
still working on what plants will grow happily under these conditions but
I do know that plants which tolerate some shade don't necessarily do well
under a summer shade/winter sun regimen.  Many plants survive but don't
flower or become very leggy.  I've already pulled out some digitalis and
penstemons.  The salvia gregii, agapanthus, and daylilies advertised as
tolerant of some shade will have to be transplanted to sunnier locations.
Paperwhite narcissus come up every year but get floppy and produce no
flowers.  Many other failures like that.

These are the keepers so far:

Pittosporum tobira 'wheeler's dwarf'-no flowers due to lack of sun but the
leaves are bright and glossy and do a great job of propping up the carex
comans.

New Zealand sedge (Carex comans):  this looks great draping its leaves on
the ground and over the pittosporum.  The light green of the leaves also
perk up the dark spots.

a campanula (I've lost its name tag)- low growing, roundish almost
heart shaped leaves, blue flowers.  slowly spreading.

Bergenia-don't know the species as this was already there when we
purchased the house.  I love this plant! It tolerates some drought, full
sun or shade,  lightly fragrant blooms in late winter/ early spring.  The
only down side is that the leaves are a favorite hideout for snails.  But
then, I always know where to hunt down the slimy pests.

tuberous begonias-they bloom in the shade of the elm tree and since the
leaves die back in autumn, winter sun is a non-issue.

We also have two camellias in heavy summer shade, between the house and
the elm. I know one is a camellia sasanqua but the identity of the other
is unknown. both camellias bloom beautifully in the
winter despite the lack of sun in summer.

An heuchera and a columbine planted this spring have taken hold.  Let's
see how they survive the winter blast of light.

Instead of sun loving shade tolerant plants, I am starting to think of
shade loving plants that can tolerate some sun.  It may not be such a tall
order as the winter sunlight doesn't last as long and the temperatures are
much cooler.  In the meanwhile, as soon as the leaves drop from our elm, I
am going to pop in some sun loving winter blooming annuals to cover up the
bare patches left by the plants that didn't make it.

hope this helps,

Angela

p.s. I garden in sunset 24, just east of Marina del Rey.
    

> 9/10, Sunset Zone 21) that gets sun in the autumn and winter from the lower 
> lying winter sun dipping under the tree canopy (two large podocarpus 
> gracilior).  However, this area in summer is completely shaded by the trees. 
>   Do any of you have any suggestions for small shrubs, perennials, bulbs or 
> annuals that might work in this situation?
>
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