Front Flower Bed

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wrappin4you Lake, MS Apr 17, 2010

I need some advice on the flower bed in front of my house. My house is a long rectangle, and one end receives sun until about 1 p.m., with the other end being in full shade all day. I tried planting banana trees on each corner, but the one on the sunny end doesn't do well at all (the one on the other end is huge and beautiful!!). I would like to put a plant that gets fairly large (8 ft. or so) on each end of the house and my goal is for them to be the same size. So far, I can't find anything, help! My good friend and experienced fellow gardner is having the same problem (she tried elephant ears!), and we've scratched our heads together, she can't find anything either! Thanks for your help.

Debbie

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Apr 19, 2010

Have you thought about some of the shrubs or small trees that do well in your area? The Loropetalum is a lovely shrub and gets to 8+ ft talland does well in the sun.

http://www.msdigitaldaily.com/3/Lifestyles/CAT5/Loropetalum%20brings%20big%20color%20to%20landscapes%20for%2010%20months%20of%20the%20year/1104/default.aspx

Hibiscus syriacus (Althea) is another lovely shrub.

http://web1.msue.msu.edu/imp/modzz/00000727.html

http://images.google.com/images?q=althea%20shrubs&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi

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JustMe48 Rochester, NY(Zone 6a) Apr 21, 2010

It might be hard to find the exact same tree/shrub that will thrive in full shade AND full sun.

Sometimes the same tree/shrub will just survive in shade, but thrive beautifully in the sun, and will not match each other in size or look.

I think I'd try to find two different trees that would compliment each other instead of match.

Might be best to ask at a local nursery. They often have someone on staff with design experience, and also would know what does well in your zone.

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Apr 21, 2010

JustMe, I think Debbie means two different plants but similar in height and spread, symmetry rather than an exact match.

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pennefeather McLean, VA(Zone 6b) Apr 25, 2010

How about a large ornamental grass on the sunny end to balance the banana tree in the shade?

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