Re: needs list of plants for z 5 and deepshadewas:InterestedInShade Gardens -Reply

Hi Folks

Thanks go to Beth Matney, who has her private archives of gardens-L posts 
and was so generous to look up the post from Marge in reply to a post from 
Bambi Cantrell.   Beth and I doubt the archives at Gardens L go back that 
far.  I hope you will find it valuable - I know that I did as a novice 
shade gardener (still am).  Sending this in 2 posts, as it exceeds 200 lines.

Penny


At 04:42 PM 1/11/97 , you wrote:
Date:    Sat, 11 Jan 1997 00:54:31 -0500
From:    Marge Talt <mtalt@CLARK.NET
Subject: Re: Bush walkway  (SMTP Id#: 29012) -Repl

A great list, Bambi....

Thought I'd stick my 2 cents worth in here as I grow most of these in z7a
(colder part of z 7) - FWIW

 
  Some ideas for medium to deep shade include,   acanthus mollis-white.  Hardy to zone 8

For me this grows well in light to medium shade, but I have yet to get it
to flower.  Lovely leaves, however.  A. balanicus flowers well in one of 
my
few sunny areas.

  agapanthus species-blue and white.  Hardy to zone 8

This wants all the sun I can give it to flower.  Lives in a pot.  I'm
anxious to try some of the ones rated hardy to z.7.  Love those flowers.

  ajuga is a nice ground cover.  Hardy to zone 6

This will do well in light to medium shade and just move out into more 
sun when it thinks it's too shady.  As I've posted before, I really think it
prefers full sun and only tolerates shadier conditions if it has to.
Number of varieties...we just had a thread on them.

  *asarum species (wild ginger).  Hardy to zone4

Great for deep shade and tolerates dry shade under trees.  The deciduous
form (A. canadense) will droop flat to the ground if it gets too dry, but
perk up once watered.  Spreads in a quiet fashion.  If you want it to 
cover ground fast, you need to start out with more than one plant.  Have a nice
colony under and between a maple and locust - not hospitable conditions 
for many plants.

  astible-white, pink, and red.  Hardy to zone 4

Have them in medium to deep shade - want a lot of water and rich soil.
Benefit from being lifted and divided regularly - and soil enriched when
replanted.  Numerous named varieties from small ground covering  to tall.
Using different ones, you can have them flowering from spring through 
late
summer.  Some will seed around - mainly, I think A. taquetii 'Superba'.
Also wide color range from white through pinks, peaches and reds.  Very
good if you can offer the right conditions.  Another bambi candy.

  *bergenia cordifolia is a groundcover good for dense shade.  Hardy to
zone 2

This one is supposed to be a no-brainer and I cannot get it to grow.  
Have
tried at least a half dozen varieties in same amount of different spots 
to
no avail.  Think it does not like the heat and humidity of our summers.  
If
anyone in a similar climate can grow this guy - PLEASE tell me how!!!  
And
in great detail as to soil, sun etc.  I've just about given up and I WANT
this plant!!

  *dennstaedtia punctilobula (Hay-scented Fern) Hardy to zone 4

A pretty fern with light green fronds about 2' tall, but watch out!  This
is one aggressive plant.  Spreads by rhizomes and will take over if it
likes the place.  Grows in sun or shade.

  *digitalis species and hybrids.  Hardy to zone 4

Can't have too many of these.  Will self-seed and naturalize given half a
chance.  Really prefers light to medium shade rather than deep shade.   
In
more formal garden conditions, could be considered weedy, but for the
woodland garden, it's tendencies to carpet an area are generally welcome.
Most are basically biennial, although sometimes a short-lived perennial.
Some are called perennial, but I've never had them last long for me.
Number of varieties out there these days.  The common D. purpurea is the
one I have most of although a few of the pure white form pop up here and
there as well as a few of x mertonensis.  I have not had as much luck 
with
some of the other varieties - probably much too casual with them as I am 
so
used to the easy ways of D. purpurea.

  *dryopteris (Wood or Shield Fern).  Hardy to zone 3

Nice fern.....but, then, I haven't met a fern I didn't like.  Can't have
too many ferns in the woodland garden IM(not so)HO.

  *epimedium

One of the choice woodland plants.  Put it next to the path where you 
will
notice it.  Try to remember to cut back the old leaves in very early 
spring
before the flowers bloom, so you can see the flowers.  Will grow in 
pretty
deep shade of trees and shrubs.  I have a nice little colony under some
azaleas.  Spreads slowly...sigh.

  *hostas

Marvelous plants in many sizes and colors.  Some will self-seed, but only
the species will come true.  The large varieties will get huge (4 feet or
so in diameter and a couple of feet tall).   This does take a few years,
but is well worth the wait.  Will tolerate just about any conditions, but
really need a consistently moist, organic soil to show their best.  Slugs
and snails can be a problem and tatter the foliage and deer think the new
growth is candy.  But they are really essential.

  *hydrangea macrophylla.  Hardy to zone 6

Will need some sun to bloom (better blooms, I think in medium than deep
shade)  but will grow in deep shade under trees. Buds can be frosted,
meaning no blooms, since they bloom on old wood.  There are also several
other varieties of Hydrangea.  One of my favorites is the Oak-Leaf
Hydrangea, H. quercifolia, hardy z. 5 to 9.  Simply lovely plant in all
seasons.  These also bloom on old wood, but the buds are hardier for me
than some of the H. macrophylla.  H. arborescens blooms on new wood and 
can
be cut to the ground each spring.  There are others, too.
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