My front yard is shaded by an oak, and a red maple. My porch and the house come together to make an "L" shape http://davesgarden.com/forums/fp.php?pid=1125271 . I planted my first garden this year. We made a raised bed in front of the porch, that looked great for a while, but I wasn't wasn't able to maintain that beauty. I started a thread in the Texas Forum, telling about how I had failed, and how that I had decided I just wasn't a gardener, and was going to just give up, but thanks to the great people on DG, I've decided to try again next spring. Only this time, I want to do it right,,,plan better.
That's why I'm asking for help. Are there any shade-loving, easy to grow plants that won't overwhelm a new gardener? I really appreciate any suggestions and help I can get.
Any Suggestions for this Dark Dungeon?
Here is the link to the thread in the Tx forum in case anyone wants to read it. It's pretty lengthy, so I definately understand if you don't lol....
http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/465644/
I read the other thread...
First, keep your chin up! lol...
When I was first starting out, some of the best advice I was given, was to plant evergreen foliage/bushes in the background, and flowers in front. The evergreen really helps show off the flowers, better than just flowers themselves(that is why florist put all that greenery in behind roses, to make them stand out more, and make it look like more roses).
For example, your impatiens looked lovely. But, would have really stood out even more, if they'd had larger solid green plant(s) behind them.
Another piece of advice that I always try to remember, was to plant things at many different levels, so that you could not take it all in, in one glance. Plant things so that your eyes are drawn up and down and all across. The more levels the better.
For example, he told me the grass was one level, and the fence was another, and the trees were another. BUT, he said bushes would add another level, as would flowers planted in front of the bushes. And vines would add another level between the fence and the bushes. Monkey grass edging would add another level between the grass and the flowers. Do you see what he was saying?...He said a straight fence with nothing on it, and just grass, is all long straight lines, and your eyes get bored really quickly. With many different levels added, it causes you to have to look longer to see everything, and is much more appealing ...(it has really helped me)...
Whenever I see large columns and banisters like you have, I immediately think climbing roses! However, you have too much shade for roses...BUT! (this is just my opinion and personal gardening taste, by the way!) I think a vine of some sort would look lovely climbing and wrapping around those columns. Please just take this as an opinion, and take it, or leave it. I was given so much advice in the begining, that "leave it" was more often my response! lol...
Anyway, back to what I was saying...I think that Confederate Jasmine 'Madison' would look absolutely lovely there, and would tolerate shade. It has very fragrant blooms in Spring, which would really be wonderful to enjoy every time you went in and out of your house. It is a nice welcome for visitors, too. It is ALSO evergreen!
If it were me, I'd put the jasmine in the spots where the camelias are. Then, I'd put the camelias either in the center where you had your impatiens(only if you wanted to really keep them clipped, though), or better, yet, plant them to the left(left in the picture, that is) of the bed in that corner area with "another few levels" of something colorful, in front of them:(like this: tall evergreen Camelias in the background, medium sized variegated hydrangeas in front of those,and hostas, or other, in front of the hydrangeas. Then I'd find another medium sized evergreen shrub to put in front of the banister(where your impatiens were). Then add some different layers of color in front(like your impatiens).
In all that I've suggested, I've only rearranged many of the things you already have. It would only require you to purchase some hydrangeas(Wal-Mart usually has them in one gallon for $6 and they grow really fast.), some medium sized evergreen shrubs, and some jamine plants. Last year I bought some madison Jasmine in one gallon pots for $6 a gallon.
Am I helping any? I am trying, anyway...
-T
I'm about to fall asleep now, insomina is fading...
here is a little re-decorating...
forgive the roughness...I'm not that experienced in photoshop!
I'd have also put in a couple of hydrangeas in the lower bed, in between the camelias and jasmine, but don't have a good picture of one I could use...
I read your previous thread, and want to mention something to you. You want to paint the house, but are doing the landscaping first. Housepainters HATE that, because they are going to have to work carefully around the plants to keep from damaging them. It can be done, but expect that accidents happen and you may have to replace some plants that get stepped on or crushed.
Your watering problems may be related to frequency and type. Plants are best watered often - every 1-3 days depending on temps - in the beginning to get them established. Then with mulching, they should be able to go to once or twice a week at most. And it is best to water with a soaker or soaker hose, NOT from above. Many plants are prone to mildew and rust from overhead watering. Soaking wastes less water and plants prefer it.
Also, you should be careful when planting so close to your foundation. It traps moisture against the house and is no longer recommended. You may be putting some big plants too close to your house, like the camellia. Even though they can be pruned, camellias have a wonderful natural shape when allowed sufficient room as they develop thick branches, becoming quite tree-like. You might want to think about smaller subshrubs (refers to shrubs that stay 3' or less) for something so close to a walkway. Or perhaps a vine -- something not too tall or aggressive -- would add a pretty splash of color.
Some flowering plants that do surprisingly well with moderate shade are heliotrope 'Black Knight' and bearded iris, particularly the older varieties. Or a dwarf coleonema: feathery soft branches that won't hurt when legs are brushing past them.
In your 'dark dungeon' area (great name!) -- Variegated plants are great in the shade. The splash of white or yellow on the leaves really pops out in shade. Aucuba is a common plant with wonderful variegated varieties that does very well in shade and occasional drought. It can get 10' tall but is easily pruned to a shorter height, gets about 4' around and grows fast. Clivia can take deep shade and still flower, although only once or twice a year but the flowers are spectacular. They grow slowly but steadily and enjoy being crowded; they flower more.
Abutilons can be fussy and prone to aphids, but they are spectacular shade bloom plants. Some get quite tall but all have a lacy, light appearance which is universally pleasing. They are easily pruned and the variegated ones are striking, but all have beautiful bell-shaped blooms that appear almost year-round. However, they need regular watering.
Think of levels: high, medium and low. That's why larger beds are more effective than small ones, BTW. Curb your impatience and site your plants according to the mature size as an average. Filling in with annuals helps give an established look while waiting for the perennials to grow up.
A low-level groundcover plant I love to use in shade is Oxalis siliquosa "Sunset Velvet" (entry in PlantFiles); it does take some sun to keep the golden leaf color, though. It's vigorous, with bright red stems and tiny bright yellow flowers that are charming. For deep shade and drier conditions, use something like Lamium maculatum 'Beacon Silver' (also in PlantFiles), the white flowering form is more common but the pink/purple flowering form is absolutely spectacular. Those silver leaves just pop out at you in the shade!
There are 2 ferns that do well in drier shade -- they're evergreen in my region although I don't know about yours -- Dryopteris and Microlepia. Both are common at my local HDepot and have done very well with only occasional water. Dryopteris has stayed small, about 1' x 1', but Microlepia gets very tall and lush -- easily 3x3' with little water but 5x5' with regular water.
I adore shady beds, I have a little of every different kind of exposure and my shade beds are probably my most satisfying ones. Good luck with yours and keep us posted on your progress. Trial and error is common for all of us. Remember, seeds, divisions from other gardeners, and cheapo garden center plants (get 'em when they're just come in and they're as good as expensive nursery prices) can help you get those garden beds into wonderful shape within a couple of years' time. It'll go by before you know it!
And learn about soil. Like the old saying goes, if you have one dollar, spent 90 cents on the soil and 10 cents on the plant.
Thank you both so much for your help. My husband read your two posts, and we're going to use some of the suggestions from each. This time, we're going to plan it out a little better.
Seedpicker, I love the layered look, and the idea of jasmine in my front yard. and you're right, jkom, about us needing to paint first. We will be painting the porch ourselves, and I'm not wild about the idea of having to paint around a huge garden. So, I guess first things first. That will give us the time we need to really plan our garden out before we plant. I thank you also for the list of plants. I really thought I was limited by my shade.