Re: Companion shrub suggestions

Bobbi:

(1) My 'Annabelles' grow about three feet high in medium shade, but I prune
them. I think they'd be about a foot taller if I left them alone.

(2) My mahonia's leaves get a lot of winter damage on the side that faces
into the wind, and I believe that wind is more the problem than cold
temperatures: I've seen a lot of undamaged mahonias in more sheltered parts
of my neighborhood. I used to spray my shrub with Wilt-Pruf a few times
each winter, and that helped a lot. Now that I've entered the lazy years I
just cut back the bad branches. But I think a lot of people despair of the
damage and give up on these shrubs.

(3) I think clethra is a quintessential part-shade plant. I've spotted it
growing wild on the edge of the woods near my mother's house in
Massachusetts. When I've seen it in full sun it doesn't seem too happy. The
real issue, I think, is moisture. You need to really give your shrub a lot
of water for the first couple of years.

(4) I forgot to mention kerria, which will bloom in pretty dense shade. If
you don't like the yellow pom-poms, there's a cultivar with cream flowers
('Alboflora') that Roslyn listed in its 2001 catalogue.

(5) I also would love to hear about anyone's experiences with Lonicera
fragrantissima. I've been coveting this for a long time, despite the fact
that I have nowhere to put it.

Nancy S. (NYC, zone6B)

At 07:37 AM 1/11/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>Thanks to all for the suggestions. Keep 'em coming. Meanwhile, I have two
>or three questions re Marge and Nancy's ideas:
>
>(1) I too love Hydrangea arborescens and it does bloom in quite deep
>shade. But how big does it get? In my experience, even rather old shrubs
>are pretty small.
>
>(2) I also love the mahonias, but find that with our winter temp extremes
>they don't do well in so. IN. The foliage gets pretty ratty looking. Or
>would this not be the case in shade?
>
>(3) I too love clethra, but don't they need more sun?
>
>What do you all think about Winter Honeysuckle--Lonicera fragrantissima?
>
>Bobbi Diehl
>Bloomington, IN
>zone 5/6
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