Re: Shade vs. Sun Gardens/P vs. A

In a message dated 11/9/2002 7:48:09 AM Central Standard Time, 
genebush@otherside.com writes:


>  But, I do try to stay out of that area, as her
> beds are hers.
>     Don't know if JoAn will ever get on a list. I think she would very much
> enjoy the activity, but thus far she has not expressed an interest. That is
> kind of "my department" for now.
>     I do enjoy your descriptions and comments about the annuals and tender
> perennials you grow.
> 

Gene:  In looking at the pics of JoAn's gardens I think she does exceptional 
in her choices.  Her combinations are very nice and the look extremely 
inviting.

I have to admit - when it comes to shade gardening I find very few annuals 
that grow well for me - most of my "annuals" are really "tenders" and I just 
replace them each year with cuttings I've rooted or new purchases.  So many 
of the "shade" annuals just do like my deep shade.  These spots are of 
interest mainly due to my foliage choices.    One "tender" that I have for my 
shady area and hope to never do without is my Persian Shield (can't remember 
the botanical name)......the purple metallic folaige is awsome and really 
brightens up the area without a single bloom.  I place many varieties of 
Caladiums here and there that add lotsa color without bloom.  So many 
wonderful choices have been availalbe the last couple of year's too (Thai 
Pink and Discolor)  and, of course, the ever faithful Coleus'.  

Unfortunately, what's perennial for me isn't for most of you guys.  I have 
Clerodendrums in some of my shady areas which offer, to my benefit, both 
foliage interest and unusual blooms.  In place of where you grow Hosta's, I 
grow Kaempferia's.  I've tried Hosta's too many times and failed to ever 
invest any more of my garden budget in trying another. ( I just pretend there 
is a budge, my addiction always overrides any budget)   The Kaempferia's are 
completely no maintenance and return faithfully each year.  With Kaempferia's 
I do not get the wonderful chartreuse foliages but I do get the "splotched" 
markings on the leaves----once they start to throw out purple purple blooms 
they do not stop until they go dormant (which they haven't done todate).  

In my sunnier gardens I use annuals and/or tenders to cover the knees of many 
of my plants.  Brazillian Bachelor Buttons (Centratherum) is one that is a 
must for me.    I also turn to the Vinca's for help in my sunny gardens.  
These marry wondefully with so many of my blue blooming Salvia's.  

As we have discussed, it's so much fun to mix and match.  Right now my garden 
is still going strong.  Our lowest temp so far this Fall have been 45 
degrees.  This temp will put down my gingers but keeps everything else going 
strong, especially having the high only reach 70-75 degrees.  December is 
generally when I start to see substantial decline in the garden.......bad 
timing for me too, so much to clean up before Christmas decorating.

Kemberly

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE PERENNIALS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index