Re: [SG] Introduction & Dry Shade

Welcome to the list, Jackie...

You can grow a lot of plants in dry shade under trees.  Some are native and
adapted to these conditions; some are just plain rampant and will grow just
about anywhere and some need more care; extra water, etc.

You're well north of me, so hostas could very well take a good bit of sun
as long as they don't dry out.  In my area, they must have shade or at most
morning or dappled sun.

Gene's advice to start with native plants adapted to your area is good (his
advice always is).   Although I'm in a warmer zone than you are, many of
the plants that I grow under trees would also grow for you.  A few months
ago, I did a long series of articles called "Planting Under Trees" that
might be of interest to you.  I think (I hope) I gave a zone limit for each
plant I talked about.  If you're interested, here's the URL to the first in
that series:

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/shade_gardening/8576

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
current article: Hellebores - Part 2
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>From: Jackie <shine@MEDIAONE.NET>
> 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?)
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