This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: [PRIMROSES] Jim Dix and Misc.

Bibbs Gamber wrote:

> Aside from impatients, astilbe, and hosta, alstromeria, ferns,
> dogwood,
> daylilies, New Zealand Pepperomia, what else can I grow in the shade
> this
> far south?  Anyone that can help me out?
>

Bibbsy:

Here in SE Texas, some of our favorite shade tolerant plants include
Achimenes, Callicarpa (Beautyberry), Hydrangea, Ajuga, Impatiens,
Caladium, Zantedeschia (Calla), and Philodendron selloum.  Achimenes are
absolutely wonderful in shade, coming back year after year.  And I will
take Caladiums in their beautiful patterns over Hosta any day of the
week ( my humble opinion! ).

My roughest area to garden, shadewise, is a 30 x 20 sort of elliptical
bed underneath a 70' Loblolly pine and a 50' American Holly. Also in
this area are a 15' dogwood, a 10' camphor tree, and a 12' Persea bay.
All but the camphor are native here and compete well with each other.
The netting of roots under these trees is extensive.  After years of
piling leaves under these trees, the soil is very nice, but is hard to
maintain with moisture, as the trees drink with abandon.  The most
successful small ornamental plants in this setting have been Caladiums
and Achimenes.  Bibbs, if you have a really shady area, try some of the
white Caladiums with green venation, and interplant heavily with mixed
Achimenes..... you will love the display... and the Caladiums will
really light up the area.  The Caladiums, however do require replanting
year to year as they tend to dwindle.

********John Peat failed to mention that as of tonight, he will turn 33,
the same age as me.... everyone send him a happy ( or not so happy)
birthday message, will ya'?*********

Hope this helps,

John Baron
SE Texas, zone 8b
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index