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Re: [SHADEGARDENS] where is list

     Dear Carmel:

        I agree that it is difficult to find books or catalogs which will
     give you good ideas for "tapestry" gardens.  For the most part, I have
     designed my own by selecting plants that "I simply can't live without"
     and then working from there.  I have become so used to gardening in
     the shade that I don't think I could design a garden for full sun if
     my very life depended on it!!!

        There is an incredible selection of foliage plants which will give
     you all the color and texture you could ever want!  Hostas alone will
     provide you with a little bit of everything from tiny blue leaved
     plants ('Baby Bunting' and 'Blue Ice') to huge golden-leaved plants
     ('Sum and Substance' and 'Solar Flare').

        Heucheras offer a wide variety of red to maroon-leaved plants which
     produce airy white blooms in mid to late-summer.  There are also green
     and mottled white and green leaved varieties, some of which produce
     bright red flowers.

        Tiarellas (Foam Flowers) have beautiful fuzzy leaves, many varie-
     ties with dark red or maroon mottling in the leaves.  These plants
     also produce airy blooms, but in the spring.

        Ferns give you a wide variety to choose from in leaf/frond shape,
     overall size and, to a somewhat lesser extent, color.  The laciness
     of most ferns is a great contrast to many hosta leaves.

        Pulmonarias, with fuzzy leaves of basically silver and green, pro-
     vide good contrast with shiny green-leaved plants.  These plants pro-
     duce beautiful blooms in the spring and there are many varieties on
     the market, offering you a wide choice of leaf variagation and bloom
     color.

        One of the combinations I really like is European Ginger backed by
     Sweet Woodruff.  The low growing ginger leaves are a very dark, glossy
     green and kidney shaped.  The tiny, light green whorled leaves of the
     woodruff really set the ginger off.

        There is a wide color variety of astilbe to choose from and the
     fern-like leaves of these plants contrast nicely with broader leaved
     plants.

        The grass-like leaves of carex and lirope also contast well with
     broad leaved selections and look nice along side ferns as well.

        I think I may have gone a little overboard here, but I could go on
     and on!!!!  I think the best way to design your texture garden is to
     look through the catalogs and visit local nurseries ... choose the
     plants which appeal to you the most and arrange them in your garden in
     a manner that is pleasing to YOUR eye.  I don't think you can go
     wrong!


     Sandie Markland
     Lorton, Virginia
     Zone 7




______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: [SHADEGARDENS] where is list
Author:  PRIMROSES <shadegardens@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU> at internet
Date:    3/17/98 01:13 PM


Regarding -

"Most new shade gardeners, she tells me, want lots of flowers.
Instructing
with foliage, shape, and texture was difficult."

I have to admit that as a new gardener, I too look for plants "florally
first". But this winter has given me ample time to investigate the other
aspects you mentioned; foliage texture, etc.

What I seem to be having the most trouble with is finding sources that
show how to effectively combine plants to highlight their best features,
emphasize contrast, etc. Most perennial books and catalogs I've seen give
closeups that ignore/exclude the plants companions.


What are some of your favorite plant combinations? Please list as many as
possible!!

Also, what books or other sources have you found helpful with this
problem?


Thanks,


Carmel Matsushita

Queens, New York Zone 6
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