Shade Gardening: Deep Shade III, 1 by rcn48

rcn48 wrote:
Lots of Arisaemas to choose from! http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/adv_search.php?searcher[com...
I started an article last winter about all the wonderful choices but still haven't had time to finish it - I'll hopefully finish it over the winter. A. sikokianum has always been my favorite and probably always will be - such a beautiful plant :) http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=5416827 A. ringens is not short but a stunning plant with large glossy leaves. I always describe the flower as sinister or evil looking - maybe because it's the one whose flower looks most like a cobra's head! LOL http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/560/ Some of the first photos in PF are not A. ringens :( A. kiushianum is a cute little plant but really needs to be planted on top of a wall or raised area to enable you to see the flowers which bloom under the foliage http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/131811/ Same thing with A. urashima http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/64435/ Both of these have unique 'whips' which are fun to watch as they tend to follow the sun throughout the day. From The Genus Arisaema http://davesgarden.com/products/gbw/c/1874/ "bear a sigmoid spadix appendage ending in a flagellate thread that is usually quite long." This is a great book with tons of information and will provide plenty of information for your search. We have a half a dozen or so planted in the gardens and we're hoping to add more in the future. The most important thing to remember is that most of these exotic species don't like wet soils! Unlike the native Jack in the Pulpits these species will quickly rot if planted in soil that stays too wet.

Regarding Violas - I know some people love them but I've avoided planting them anymore because they're too aggressive here and reseed everywhere! My very favorite white Geranium is Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo' http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/38287/ A vigorous spreader but a nice compact habit and pretty glossy foliage. The area where ours is planted is getting too much shade now but I'm getting ready to transplant some of it in a sunnier border soon.

Whew! Last one - Variegated Solomon's Seal. A terrific plant - takes a little time to get established but once it does it's off and running! We have some planted below our deck where it hardly gets any sun or water! Looks great in early spring but suffers from the lack of water by mid summer :( They do wonderful in dry shade, but under the deck they don't even benefit from the occasional rainfall. However the next spring they always spring back to life!

I came over to this thread to post this picture but I got a little carried away trying to catch up! I posted a picture of this plant, Pollia japonica, above in August when it was flowering http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/p.php?pid=5416827 and wanted to show you the black seeds that form in the fall - I love this plant!