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Re: [SG] Dry shade

Adrienne,

Regarding dry shade - here is what grows for me in zone 4 (in midst of three
day wind storm):

Pachysandra - try the variegated and shiny leafed cultivars which are
interesting.
Hellebore foetidus - (sp.close) start in good moisture retentive soil and
begin with about three plants.  After the first year they are OK.
Hosta - sieboldianas will grow and prosper in deciduous shade, Golden Tiara
does fine also (there are probably others).  The trick is to not water, leave
these plants on their own and they will make it through the summer with no
wilting.  Again, begin with good soil around the hostas.  Under these
conditions they may need more time to make mature clumps but they will be
fine.
Nicotiana - an annual that grows and blooms in dry shade as compared with
impatiens which will wilt and cry for water.
Tiger lilies - which can be had in white and few colors.  Disdained by lily
fanciers these will grow and bloom in shade.  The old orange ones multiply
quickly from bulbils dropped everywhere.
Hemerocallis flava - blooms in deciduous shade and has good all season
foliage.
Tradescantia - all of them.
Spireas - the small ones that make low spreading shrubs.  Little Princess and
Neon Flash both do OK here in shade.
Violets - native violets will bloom gloriously in spring and have good foliage
all summer.  They require absolutely no assistance.  They spread quickly.
Bergenia - Begin with at least six plants or grow from seed.  This takes a few
years to clump up into large shiny leafed clumps and will grow in gravel.
Ferns - Christmas fern is handsome and needs no assistance.  It lives forever.

Lastly you may want to try having two or three containers which can revolve
into your dry shady area for a week or two at a time providing you with some
summer color if desired.
Start all plants in good moisture retentive soil,  plant in spring and water
for a while until settled.  In our shady area, tree leaves blow into the
plantings and we leave them.  The plants emerge and a mulch is sort of
permanent.

I tried to mention plants easily found and not pricey.  There are additional
dry shade species that can have a small corner or you can build up stock
elsewhere and locate later.  Pulmonaria mentioned by all can mildew in zone 4
and look miserable, the dry areas mildew the worst.

Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY
zone 4
<< << Hello all,
          I'm in zone 4 and am looking for ideas for plants for dry shade. I
 have
  hostas which do well but would like different perennials.
  Adrienne Bordo >>
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