I need some kind of foliage to grow up against the north side of my house behind tropicanna. I originally had the tropicanna there, but over the last few years they have gradually "walked out" toward the sun. They just never did well there close to the house, because of lack of enough sun. Also, this area stays wetter than the rest. I know fountain grass will take the bog (it's not really that wet), but does it need a lot of sun?
I would appreciate your ideas. Oh, and since it's behind the tropicanna, I'd like it to be fairly tall.
I need.....
I have a similar situation, north facing, against a brick wall, receives only a few hours of early sun, and stays wetter than any other place in
my yard. I have a variegated flax lily that has simply thrived there along with a brugmansia and other ferns including holly ferns.
Sybil, you could plant Frostweed there, it can take shade, it gets tall, it doesn't mind moisture, it has tropical looking foliage and pretty white blooms in August, what more could you want?
Heart leaf skullcap is nice too.
Yes, but not as tall.
True.
Lovediggin, I think our north beds are twins. I've not tried the brugs there, but I have had low to spotty luck with datura, which seems similar and goes wild on the south side. I looked up the lily on our plant files, but there were several. Some too short, some need sun. Could you look at those pics, and tell me which one is yours. I'd like to try it.
Josephine, the first frostweed I saw on DG plant files was small, wrong zone, etc. Since I've seen yours, I knew there must be a bigger variety. I found it, and I must say it sounds perfect. Wow, I didn't know any plant would thrive in full sun and full shade. I planted three I got at the RU out in my #7 bed. If they make it I guess I can save some seed to plant next year. Or, I'll ask for some at the fall swap.
Newt, I, too, like the heart leaf skullcap. The flowers look so dainty.
Dianella tasmanica, varigata, the first one listed in plant files is the plant that I have. It sends up very delicate bloom stalks, insignificant compared to the plant. If you read about it from the files, many grow it in full sun. I love how it brightens up the shady area.
I love it! Plant files says hardy in zones 9b (I think) to 11. I'm right on the line between 7b and 8a. Do you think that would matter much?
I don't know but I am in 8b and it has not shown any signs of frost damage and certainly hasn't frozen down to the ground. I was afraid it was not tall enough for your needs. It does get a little rust but not enough to bother me. They are slow to get going so if you get one or more, give them time and they will eventually spread.
Yes, I was thinking the same. Even if it gets the taller 36 inches, it will still be way overshadowed by the tropicanna. However, I have a small bed at the back of my house (west side) which gets only a couple hours of afternoon sun. Of course, it's the most brutal sun of the day, but I was wondering if the lily could take it.
I think Frostweed's frostweed ...;^)..... sounds like everything I need for this north bed. I had no idea it was so versatile.
Thanks so much for everyone's suggestions.
BTW, Frostweed, it's 9:30. and I just came in from digging my garlic. It smelled so good, but I couldn't see much. Out here in the country, when it's dark, IT'S DARK! I wanted to get it done tonight, because some of the grandsons are coming to work with me tomorrow. I'm leaving about 6:30 am to get a load of little stones for my rock bed. I'm so excited about all the things (I hope) we'll get done.
I was wondering if you would post that link where you tell how to do the garlic. I haven't washed mine or anything. Just laid it out on the ground. I've looked and looked, but couldn't get back to that tutorial. It's really scary how computer challenged I am. It hasn't been that long ago that I read it.
Thanks again for all your help. I love my Dave's Garden friends!
Congratulations on the Garlic Sybil, here is the tutorial, I hope it works great for you.
http://davesgarden.com/community/blogs/t/frostweed/4151/
I actually have a Western Ironweed that has flourished in a partially shady area.
I've got a couple of orphaned shrubs that tolerate shade but don't get too tall, they are nandina. might get to 3 feet.
Been in shade under my pine and shrubs, 2 out of 3 are now potted.
Nandina isn't affectionately called "damndinas" for nothing!
well they are long lived. This pair came with my house 12 years ago and got migrated to the lot in 2003/2004. Still alive.
We had some in a little strip outside our back door when we moved here in 2007. My hubby had to extract them with a pick axe! I thought a back hoe was going to be needed they were so thick and root bound. We have another stand outside our bedroom windows. We thin those out about every 5 years. I do like their foliage in the winter and the flowers and red berries add interest to the garden.
I will keep these til the roundup I guess. I may find a place to put them, but with bee fodder a priority, these don't seem to bloom, that's why they are in pots. 2 of them are divisions of one larger one. Seem to be doing ok
sybram, I was reading my email newsletter today called Texas Gardner Seeds and it had an article about Princess Caroline Napier grass, a beautiful very tall purple grass that TAMU has been evaluating for Texas and it has been given the "Proven Winners" title for all but up near the panhandle of Texas, zone 6 and 7. Everywhere else in Texas, if it freezes to the ground it will return in Spring and grow to 6 feet very quickly. I googled it and I thought how great it would look behind your cannas. Check it out.
Marty, i LOVE that Princess Caroline Napier grass!!
I just had to add that to my wish list. Gorgeous stuff!
you had me at purple....
Will it grow in shade and wet?
Sybil, I have a similar condition as yours: shady, somewhat damp area on north side of my house where I needed something with height. This spring I planted Saliva Regla (native to west texas), which is supposed to like the shade. Mine does get some sun during the middle of summer, but none in winter. In 4 months, the 6" perennial plant I started with is now about 3 1/2 feet and still growing. It is supposed to put on fall blooms, but not sure if that will happen this first year or not. Wasowskis' book says usual height is 3-5 ft, but can reach 8 feet. I have clay soil that I amended w compost to help it get the drainage condition this plant supposedly prefers. Mine has not seemed to mind the short term damp condition, probably since my french drain is not too far away and it wicks the heavy moisture away from the house foundation. I considered planting frostweed there, but couldnt locate a source for it. I still want to try that one.
Sybil, I have a similar condition as yours: shady, somewhat damp area on north side of my house where I needed something with height. This spring I planted Salvia Regla (native to west Texas), which is supposed to like the shade. Mine does get some sun during the middle of summer, but none in winter. In 4 months, the 6" perennial plant I started with is now about 3 1/2 feet and still growing. It is supposed to put on fall blooms, but not sure if that will happen this first year or not. Wasowskis' book says usual height is 3-5 ft, but can reach 8 feet. I have clay soil that I amended w compost to help it get the drainage condition this plant supposedly prefers. Mine has not seemed to mind the short term damp condition, probably since my french drain is not too far away and it wicks the heavy moisture away from the house foundation. I considered planting frostweed there, but couldnt locate a source for it. I still want to try that one.
I am very (in a good way) jealous that people have "damp areas" around here! Even around my a/c unit isn't damp.