Re: [SG] Introduction & Dry Shade
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- Subject: Re: [SG] Introduction & Dry Shade
- From: G* <g*@OTHERSIDE.COM>
- Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 08:45:29 -0400
Hello Jackie & welcome
Your certainly are not alone .... quite a few of your former countrymen
are here in the US changing how they think about gardening. Quite keen
gardeners such as yourself.
My suggestion for dry shade and root competition is to simply begin with
plants that are adapted for those conditions. The native woodlanders are
wonderful resource. Then their related species from around the world to
play with in the garden.
Springs usually have adequate moisture and the hot and dry set in around
July into first part of September around here. Most ephenmerals are gone by
then and do not have to struggle. Of course, many do not go dormant and
last until frost. Just a matter of awareness and selection.
Being English I am sure you are a Cyclamen fancier. Prime candidates in
your area for dry shade and root competition. Also Epimediums. Primula
sieboldii adapts well to these conditions.
Gene Bush Southern Indiana Zone 6a Munchkin Nursery
around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com http://www.munchkinnursery.com
----------
> From: Jackie <shine@MEDIAONE.NET>
> Subject: [SG] Introduction
> Date: Sunday, April 11, 1999 5:22 PM
>
> Hello shadegardeners,
>
> I'm just joining the list and I'd like to introduce myself. I'm Jackie
> Halliday and until 18 months ago I was a keen gardener in the UK. It
> seems that as soon as I have a garden looking good it's time to move
> again.
>
> I'm living just outside Boston, Mass. and after our second move here
> I'm just starting to get organized enough to start gardening again.
> Feels good! So I find myself with a garden that is just lawn and very
> tall trees. The landlord doesn't want the trees cut down to make more
> manageable shrub borders, and so I have a very dry shady
> under-the-trees border which is currently bare earth. I think I need
> some help here!
>
> I'm getting used to the New England seasons, although I still find it
> odd that the crocuses, daffodils and tulips all come up together :)
>
> As a starter question, I've always grown my hostas in part-shade with
> lots of moisture. But a neighbor of mine doesn't seem to know what
> hostas like and has planted a great row of them beside his driveway in
> full sun all day. The strange thing is that the hostas are thriving
> and for the past two summers have looked wonderful. What's going on?
> Are hostas more "sun-hardy" than my books are letting on?
>
> Jackie
> Burlington, Mass. (sorry - don't know the zone - can someone advise?)
