My DD recently moved to Alpharetta,Ga. New house..so virgin yard. When I talked to her yesterday she said the yard is basically shady...told her I would post here for ideas to pass on. Please suggest away...my DGD loves bugs and wild birds so ideas to attract butterflies and birds would be great as well as ideas in general. Thanks!!
Suggestions please
I'd say Hosta Hosta Hosta, it comes in so many different colors nowadays that it would color it up some. I have foxglove and impatients in my shade bed too.
But too I am always on the lookout for more shade loving plants.
Thanks MOLLYBEE....I have mentioned hosta to her. Was looking for,hopefully,lots of ideas to pass along. Stay warm!!
Baa
Jan 24, 2003
Ginger
Have your run a search in the PDB for plants that like shade in that zone?
Well, goldenrod will take a lot of shade, and boy does it attract the bugs! Anise hyssop, blue eupatorium, black eyed susans, bee balm, lilyturf(seeds allegedly attract bluebirds), some malva, false dragonhead, loosetrife, astilbe, ox-eye daisy, campanulas, veronicas, .......all will handle a considerable amount of shade. If she really wants to attract wildlife, go with natives...any that will take shade or part shade. Sometimes you just have to experiment. There are a number of flowering shrubs that take shade and attract bugs by the score. Blue mist shrub will take a fair amount, and summersweet prefers it, I think. I know there's another summer flowering shrub that likes shade out there, but I can't remember the name...carolina spicebush perhaps. And don't forget the bulbs!
Hi! My whole front yard is in shade- I have lots of impatiens(for color) , bird's nest spruce (don't get very big) minature blue spruce, pin cushion flowers, lambs ear, astilbe, lilly of the valley, tuberous begonias do pretty good if you don't over water, and sedum
btailoring, what a nice house! Congrats!
I garden in zone 9 Northern CA, so if there's a light/bright shade spot, I can recommend the abutilons. I have the dark red 'Naples' and the variegated leaf A.picton "Thompsonii" http://plantsdatabase.com/go/1012/. The hummers adore them and the Thompsonii really lights up a dark area. Cestrums http://plantsdatabase.com/go/51480/ (also see the Red Cestrum entry) are a favorite too with hummers, and they will grow in light/partial shade. Both of these plants flower year-round in warm areas like ours. Also, Plectranthus argentatus http://plantsdatabase.com/go/1355/ has beautiful silvery-green leaves that are stunning in the shade, although its blue flowers are small and only seem to flower two or three times during the year. For border plants there is a lovely little variegated Alpine strawberry, Fragaria Vesca 'Variegated' http://plantsdatabase.com/go/54664/ that would definitely attract birds and bees!
Thanks ya'll...I'll wait a few more days and print this thread to send her.
pacific woods iris and even agapanthus have bloomed well here in the shade. Also Bleeding hearts, crocosmia, ferns, azaleas, prim roses, jack in the pulpits, trillium, fuscias,hosta and scotch broom.
Lots of great suggestions, she will have lots to chose from.
The hummers love red honeysuckle (which is not invasive, and can handle some shade), lonicera dropmore scarlett. Also, hanging baskets of fuschia draw hummers. What about some hydrangeas?
I agree Hosta hosta hosta for your base. Then add some Iris in the dappled shade, and azelas (wait till they stop blooming and go to the nurseries and buy them cheaper)and Rhodedendrim (sp!)
Hydrangia (sp?) Carolina Jasmine. Tell her to try and stay native for the best results.
Lamium! Will start fillin in a hurry, especially the Pink Pewter variety.
hee hee I can't wait for mine to start filling in!