I have a long rectangle garden bed that I'm still working on, almost finished, and I need suggestions for plantings that will give some shade. This garden gets sun from about 10am till at least 6pm. I already have several roses in this garden (knockouts) and they seem to thrive but I'm afraid as we get into summer with no rain and very hot temps I will begin having trouble with them. I have a variagated althea shrub on one end of the garden bed but it's still very young. Any suggestions for a fast growing plant that grows fairly tall and can take full sun? I am in zone 8b
Lin
Suggestions Please
Your knockouts will be ok, if they are the red they will fade some but otherwise should do fine.
I am not sure what to suggest for fast growing/tall, but I am sure that someone will chime in.
April
I don,t know which plant would get tall enough to give shade in three months, the only thing that comes to mind is Castor bean plant, it grows by leaps and bounds and looks attractive and tropical, that could work.
Josephine.
You don't say if a water source is nearby. Hardy banana will grow fast and will provide shade, even though K.O. roses don't really need such protection. I find that my roses take full sun like real troopers.
Another plant that I use for shading lower plants is rootbeer plant. It has huge leaves which provide a great canopy. grows fast. Not invasive, but it puts out a lot of seedlings and it is best to pull them out when young--much easier. I leave the seedlings near the mother plant alone, as they make for an even bigger canopy. In your area, rootbeer plant would probably die and come back following spring.
brugs could also provide some sort of canopy, but water has to be handy.
This message was edited May 19, 2006 12:34 PM
Josephine is right, castor bean will be an alternative as well.
Vossner
I have heard of rootbeer plants- tell me more about them!! Please.
April, here is a link. I was the last person to post a pic. Can't say enough good things about this plant, will save you a seedling if you want. I see we are practically neighbors, should get together and do some damage, lol.
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/530/index.html
Yes I have water near by so I can keep the plants well watered.
Frostweed- Castor bean plant was the one my Mom suggested too.
I have banana trees over in another garden. I can keep watch and when baby banana trees begin coming up I can just move them to the new garden bed. Good suggestion!
I will have to do a search for the Rootbeer Plant. It sounds very interesting.
Thanks for all the suggestions!! Now I've got to get to work and decide which ones I want to use. I could use some of all the suggestions since the new garden bed is very long.
Lin
That's a new plant for me too...where is Midway?
Midway is north of Huntsville off of I-45 East. We are just 15 miles east of Madisonville. A tiny little rural town.
I can't find an online nursery that has the Root Beer Plant. :( I have checked several. I would even like some seeds if nothing else.
Lin
Oh Dancy, almost heaven...east Texas Piney Woods?
Beautyberry is real nice and I have one 9' tall. But "sprawls" wide also. Looks really good in a woodlands setting.
This message was edited May 22, 2006 6:27 PM
How long and wide is the bed?
The first thing that came to my mind was constructing an arbor, and then planting fast growing vines to provide more shade. The problem with fast growing vines is that they can be invasive (morning glory, etc).
I then thought about vitex tree-Texas Lilac. If the space is too narrow for vitex, other options could include a tall hibiscus of tall plumbago (could be gambling on height and plumbago invasiveness). Crepe myrtles and palms would do OK and provide some shade. (don't know if you like palms next to roses)
The more I think about it, I'm liking the vitex suggestion.
Did you want something evergreen? Do you mind if it dies back in the winter?
danceytex, I saw two small seedlings that I can spare. I would happily share with your for $4.05 postage. my address is in the exchange.
It really doesn't have to be evergreen. I have a young vitex tree - Texas lilac. It's in another garden bed but could be moved. I a little scared to move it now that it's so hot and dry. But I could move it later in the fall. I could try and get by till then. So far I am shading my baby knockout rose from the hottest part of the day and it's doing great. My Texas Stars sure wilt down quickly from the intense heat. I hate that!