Any ideas for plants that can tolerate part shade and are not gigantic. The bed I am wanting to redo in the spring has 2 Mex. Fans and they aren't going anywhere right now. I have a red flame acanthus in there that gets about 6 ft tall and has to be tied up. Too little sun or too much water? I want long bloomers or staggered bloom times and hopefully they won't be too thirsty. I definately prefer natives. This bed is such a mess, help!
Other plants in there: zexmenia (does ok), 4 nerve daisy(ok too), moss verbena, salvia gregii(not enough sun)
Cheryl
Part shade plants
The flame acanthus probably doesn't get enough sun. You might try Turk's Cap, Frostweed, Obedient Plants (except I don't think you like those), Huechera, Pigeonberry, Strawberry Geranium, Columbine, Cedar Sage, Brazos Penstemon, and East Texas Mistflower.
That's what's in my mostly shade bed. I did add a coralberry I got from Kenboy at the RU last week, so we'll see how that does.
This message was edited Oct 17, 2010 5:07 PM
The bed gets some sun but not sure exactly how much. The flame acanthus blooms like crazy so I guess I just assumed enough sun. I think coral bells would not like the area, too dry. I might move in a turks cap though.
Lantana. I've got blackeyed susan in part shade, they grow at a rather more modest rate than in full sun, but look fine.
Also black nightshade, Solanum americanum. I know that's sort of a weird thing to plant, but in the part shade it makes a neat little tree-looking form that the mockingbirds are gaga about.
There is a hybrid of obedient plant called "Miss Manners". Is beautiful and she lives up to her name. Rainlilies, sedum and red dragon perscaria all do well in my yard with those conditions, although not all native.
A lot of plants to consider.
Salvia g. gets moved
Stays: zexmenia, 4 nerve daisy, acanthus (its a monster but the hummers love it)
Will these be ok in part shade/sun? rudbeckia hirta (have 2 that did ok in there), zegreb coreopsis(How much sun do they need?), have a couple mealy blue sage (can they take some shade?), moss verbena, TX star hibiscus(have some growing in a shady area that would get more sun in the new bed)
Also wondering about centranthus rubra, not a native but I read its drought tolerent.
Will move in a couple Phlox pilosa as we all know I have a lot of that!