Re: DEEP shade
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] DEEP shade
- From: C* P*
- Date: Sun, 8 Apr 2001 00:25:03 EDT
In a message dated 4/7/01 8:46:52 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
naturverbunden@EMAIL.COM writes:
<< For deep shade a low growing fern that will carpet the ground is the bulbet
bladder fern. It forms beautiful matts of ferny foliage. Someone will know
the botanical name, I think it's a polystichum (sp?) >>
I wonder if a dedicated gardener really wants to garden in deep dark shade.
If a shaded area is very dry and totally without sun you can do something
about it rather than search the world for a wonder plant.
You can thin out the branches allowing in shafts of sun. You can remove a
few trees, you can pave, slate or gravel the area using potted plants for
interest.
If one insists on planting a deeply shaded area there are several old
standbys that will grow for you. Lamiastrum galeobdolon is the very best and
it is pretty and flowers in the spring. A patch of this with paths through
it would be attractive. One is always battling dry shade. Several good
looking campanulas (punctata) and comfrey are also good. The only shrub if
know of that thrives in dry shade is the native honeysuckle, not evergreen.
Claire Peplowski
NYS z4
