Re: Shady Oaks was: help for a Newbie

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Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
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> From: Hank Zumach <zumach@EXECPC.COM>
> Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2000 2:44 PM
>
> Hi Sue--Your questions sound very much like mine several years age
when I
> began to develop my shade garden. The problem I have with trying to
give you
> suggestions is that it is difficult to know where to begin OR where
to end.
> First of all, hostas seem to be able to grow almost anywhere.
Generally
> speaking, green varieties do better in deeper shade than
yellow/gold
> varieties. It is not that the yellow/gold won't grow there but
rather they
> will produce better color in areas with  more sun. Having said
that, let me
> suggest that you contact Shady Oaks in Waseca, MN.  and get one of
their
> catalogs. The number I have is 800-504-8006. They specialize in
shade plants
> but just as importantly for a "newbie", their catalog has excellent
photos
> of many plants with descriptions of their growing characteristics
that you
> probably will find very helpful.  They tend to be a little pricey
but they
> do sell good stock. Also, since it is not too far from your home,
you  might
> want to visit them. The few times I have been there, the staff was
quite
> helpful.
>
> Now the problem is where do I end this? With a little research
(perhaps
> visit your library) you will find many varieties of perennials that
will
> work for you. Your problem then becomes which ones to you try first
and "
> WHERE DO I STOP?"  Some of us have gradually slipped into a
condition often
> referred to as "hostaholism".  I have a data base of about 150
hostas and
> another 225 or so companion plants that I grow here in west central
> Wisconsin. If you would like, I can send you a copy.
>
> I hope this helps get you started. Good luck!! Have fun!!
>
> Hank Zumach
> Stoddard, WI
> zone 4
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: SUE WITZEL <Witzel@FRONTIERNET.NET>
> To: <shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 11, 2000 12:15 PM
> Subject: [SG] help for a Newbie
>
>
> > I would greatly appreciate some help with winter planning.  I am
a
> relative
> > new shade garden person. I live in southern Minnesota. I can grow
most
> > things.(LOL)  I started last summer to develop the shade areas of
my yard.
> >
> > I live in a small town and have a 36 foot well (with electric
pump) in my
> > backyard that I use to water my plants/garden. With non-stop
pumping, I go
> dry
> > (actually the hose doesn't reach any lower) in about 2 days and
it
> generally
> > "re-fills" in one day.  I believe I share the water table with
the golf
> course
> > that is my backyard neighbor.  Even with almost constant pumping
by both
> of us
> > through our dry, dry summer I kept water in the well.
> >
> > I have an approximate 10 x 20 shade area (very filtered light)
around
> tree(s),
> > that currently has 6 small hostas, 6 day lilies  and various
"volunteer"
> > plants (columbine, bleeding heart, viola, fern)
> >
> > The fern I have is the old fashion, common fern (light green and
about 3
> feet
> > tall) that grows non-stop on the northside of homes...
> >
> > 1st question:  Will hostas grow under my red dogwood hedge (not
the area
> > mentioned above)  that is on the northside of my lot- about 30
feet long.
> ?
> > What else would/could I grow under this hedge?
> >
> > 2nd question:  What, if anything,  could I grow under a Blue
Spruce that's
> > closest branches to the ground are 12 feet high.  This area gets
no
> morning
> > light and about 2 hours of afternoon light?
> >
> > 2nd question:  Given a budget of $200-300 what shade plants would
you add
> to a
> > beginning shade garden?
> >
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Sue W
> > --
> > Sue Witzel
> > Worthington, MN 56187
> > witzel@frontiernet.net
> >
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