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Re: Understory Plantings, was list shutdown?

Denise,

I don't think so, Dirr lists Camellias as hardy from USDA zones 7-9. 
Around here (zone 7), you can grow them for several years and then comes a
bad winter and they are gonners.  They can get quite tall.  Think in MA you
might consider something definitely hardy in your area.

I also wouldn't recommend yew for really dense shade.  I have a number of
them and find they thin out quite a bit in very dense shade.  Do well in
partial shade.  Hicksii is a nice var. for a hedge, though as it does not
get very wide.  If you have a deer problem, I definitely don't recommend
yew!  It's deer candy.

Pieris japonica does well in heavy shade.  It is a slow grower and not
actually 'hedge' material, but a lovely evergreen plant for shade, rated
hardy USDA zones 5-8.   Over time, they can get to 9' tall or more and if
planted about 4' or 5' apart will form an evergreen "hedge".  I have a
group of 5 or so in front of my front deck that now screen it completely
and are at least 9' tall -- it has, however, taken them about 15 years to
get this tall.  They are not a plant for exposure to icy winter winds,
however.  But truly lovely plants if you have the patience to wait for the
years it takes for them to make their height.

Mahonia (there are several: aquifolium, and bealei are two) are good for
shade.   I have a very young M. bealei that I'm cosseting.  Dirr rather
sniffs at this one, but I truly like the leaf form.  Both these are hardy
in your area.  Again, not exactly rampant growers, but do well in heavy
shade. 

Ilex opaca, the native Holly, will grow in dense woodland shade conditions,
where it is more open in form than with a bit of sun.  It is hardy in your
area.  It is one of the native understory trees in my woods -- gets quite
large over time, but is not a fast grower -- will take 10 or 12 years to
reach as many feet in height from young trees about 2 feet tall.  

A nice shrub I have in quite shady conditions is Itea virginica (Virginia
Sweetspire).  This ranges from 3' to 5' -- mine are between this in size
after some years - has a very nice white narrow raceme of flowers in late
spring, for me.  Good fall color, better where a bit of sun hits it.  Does
prefer a moist soil over a dry one.  It is deciduous and rated hardy from
USDA zones 5-9.

Clethra alnifolia will tolerate a good bit of shade and is hardy from USDA
zones 3-9.  Mine have never gotten as tall as they are supposed to, but I
think where I have them is a bit on the dry side for them.  Nice flowers --
not spectacular, but nice.  There are several cultivars available, I
understand.

Hydrangea quercifolia will tolerate quite shady places, although you are at
the northern end of its range and it may not flower if the buds are nipped.
 But, it would make a very nice foliage plant even without flowers.  They
like moist soil, but will tolerate a good bit of dryness if the soil is
basically retentive (clay).  Mine are a bit over 6' in height and more in
spread.  They provide the added bonus of exfoliating cinnamon colored bark
in winter.  They are rangy in form, but very graceful IMO and will sucker
to form colonies in time.  They are deciduous.  The new leaves are
marvelous; covered in white fuzz as they unfold.  Fall color can be wine
and crimson, although not flaming in shade.  

Hydrangea arborescens is a fast growing plant, hardy from zones 3 to 9. 
Prefers partial shade.   And flowers on new wood.  I'm not sure how it will
flower in really deep shade.  I have mine on the north side of a Hemlock
(Tsuga) hedge and berm with some rather large trees on the south side, but
it does get a bit of sun around mid day.  These can be cut back to the
ground in early spring if you choose, or the canes can be left on their
own.  Canes are fairly weak in that they will bend to the ground when the
plants are in bloom.  I have 'Annabelle', who makes huge white balls of
flowers that weigh down the stems if they aren't staked.  But having them
bend over may not be of a concern if they aren't in the way.  Tough plants.
 Of course, being hydrangeas, they do want moisture.

Another you might consider is Euonymus alatus (Winged Euonymus - Burning
Bush), the cultivar 'Compactus' does not have prominent corky wings on the
branches and does not get as tall as the species.  It does well in quite a
bit of shade and tolerates dry conditions.  Fall color is flaming where it
has sun, a bit more subdued in shade, but still good.  Makes a densely
twiggy shrub with good, compact  form, rather dark green leaves in summer. 
Would make a nice hedge plant.  They are hardy from USDA zones 3 to 8.  I
have 'Compactus', which has gotten about 6' tall after 7 years.  I
understand it may be injured by temps. below -25F and Dirr says the
cultivar ' Nordine Stain' is hardier and also compact.  I find this a nice
quiet shrub during summer that always surprises when it turns color in fall
before the leaves drop.  It is neat and not demanding.  Gets absolutely no
attention from me and does well.

I'm sure there are other plants that would be suitable.  I find that
conifers are generally not best in heavy shade.  Their shaded branches will
drop needles and die out.

Best of luck,

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
Editor:  Gardening in Shade
http://www.suite101.com
 

----------
> From: Denise Leonard <dal@equinox.shaysnet.com>
> To: woodyplants@mallorn.com
> Subject: Re: Understory Plantings, was list shutdown?
> Date: Thursday, July 17, 1997 11:16 AM
> 
> Are camillias winter hardy to zone 5 or colder?  How tall do they get? 
> Any suggestions as to a source.  They wwill be palnted in a shady area.
> 
> 
> Denise Leonard
> Tanstaafl Farm
> Greenfield, MA
> dal@shaysnet.com
> 
> 
> On Wed, 16 Jul 1997, Richard D. Nelson wrote:
> 
> > Hi Denise;
> > I would give a thought to Sasanqua Camillias.  Planted 2 1/2 to 3' on
> > center they can be trimmed to form a nice hedge, take the shade quite
> > well and bloom in late winter/early spring when very few other plants
are
> > flowering.  A nice combination is to have 3 - 5 Arborvitae, 1 Camillia,
3
> > - 5 Arborvitae, ect.
> > Richard,
> > Beaverton, Ore Sunset Zone 6
> > 
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