I've got a flower bed in my backyard that gets shade up until midday, then sun. It also is rather dry. Any ideas for what might do well here? I tried some herbs and echinacea there last year and they shriveled up and died. Also butterfly bush didn't make it. Vinca came back strong and is ok there, and so is some tall ruellia. Plumbago did good but after this winter might be a goner. Anyone have suggestions?
Thanks, Kim
need ideas for flower bed
maximillian sunflower.
chocolate flower
I have both in afternoon sun without much water and they thrive.
let me know if you need seeds... I know I have some for max but not sure if I still have any for choc
Blue Mistflower can take dry shade and also sun. The butterflies are crazy about it. I transplanted some in July in a shady area and it survived. Ox eye daisy and four nerve daisy are tough too.
Good ideas here! I was wanting to put in some sunflowers, that would be a perfect place for them. And daisies too. I've never heard of blue mistflower or chocolate flower, I'll have to look those up. Thanks!
Kim
Pink skullcap is a lowgrowing woody perennial with pretty flowers that is very drought tolerant. I have a clump that has been growing happily in tree shade for several years, and usually getting very little moisture other than rainfall. Yuska
Well, this reference says full sun, but mine doesn't mind the shade. It probably does get dappled sunlight in late afternoon. It is a Texas native and there is a purple version.
http://www.highcountrygardens.com/catalog/product/88530/
This message was edited Feb 20, 2007 7:03 PM
A purple variety that does really well here is:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/51663/index.html
the one above is:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/51664/index.html
This does fantastic in the shade for me:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/141372/index.html
I know bulbs are me, but the scutellaria's are quickly becoming me too. Speaking of bulbs--rain lilies, lycoris, oxblood lilies, and a lot of the Cape Bulbs would do really well there and give you a punch of color from time to time.Many of the salvia's like it real dry too; and, like the scutellaria's, blend into the background for you when the bulbs bloom.
Look up Eupatorium greggii in the plant files to get info on blue mist.I don't how to do hyperlink,sorry.
(can someone help me?)
I agree with the salvia and pink skullcap, those are great choices. Rock rose(Pavonia) can take a beating too.
My fav is Shasta Daisy for a repeat year after year. It loves the baking afternoon sun. Larkspur (purple) is also one that thrives for me in shade with hot afternoon sun. Will send you some seeds for both Kim, need to sow now for Spring / Summer blooms.
Sheila
I would like to try larkspur and shasta. I have similar conditions. Sheila, could you send me some too? I am not up to speed on collecting seeds but can give you something. I hope I am not being too forward, but I get passionate about plants.
I am sure I have plenty to share, but I didn't see you in the addy section. Either add your info there or D-mail me and I will send out when I send Kim some this week. Thanks for the offer, but I am having some back problems again this year and won't be doing much gardening. I have plenty that haven't gotten in the ground yet, but need to be. :-(
Sheila....that is so sweet of you to send me those seeds. Those plants will work great in that spot. I'm sorry to hear you are having back problems. I do hope that it improves for you soon so you can enjoy your gardens!
:)Thanks, Kim
I have similar conditions in my back yard (morning shade then afternoon dry, full sun). Plants that have done well include the following:
four o'clocks
salvia greggi
basil
knock out roses
trailing Ice plant might be another that would do well (I've got mine in full sun, they are easy and hardy-good ground cover-likes to spread)
This year I might try some scabiosa in the back yard.
Sheila-I again want to thank you . It looks like you will enjoying gardening in cyberspace. I realize what PF means....duh! But what is addy section?Do you mean plants one whats to have and give?
I was told purple skullcap was less hardy.Mine have some green but not as much as the pink. It is good to know ya'll have had success with it.Although you are in warmer zones. I saw white skullcap at a nursery yesterday....Always something new to tempt us.
Another tough one is zexmenia. I had it in the dry shade for years, but it will look better with some sun.
I have lots of hot, dry, sunny areas in my backyard. Plants that do really well even under these conditions are: Lantana, Flame Acanthus; Salvia Greggii -- Coral Nymph, Red Autumn, and Pink Preference; Portaluca; Rose of Sharon; Skullcap (pink); Blue Mist Flower. This year I will be trying more daisies, and a few of the other things y'all have mentioned above.
Carla
I have heard that Flame A and Texas Lantana grow in shade...just smaller. I am trying that this year.
Yes, Flame acanthus and lantana will grow in part shade, I have some that way and they do fine, although lantana will not bloom as much.
Another great plant for shade is Turk's cap.
Josephine.
Kim, if you want brazilian rock rose, I can bring some to the RU.
That would be great! Which reminds me....I need to get my trade list together.
:) Kim
I'll put them on my list.:)