colorful annuals in low light, zone 5a

Can anyone recommend some colorful annuals that don't require much sun? I want to add some color along a fence on the southwest side of my house. Thank you!

How about Impatiens?

Begonias are another annual to consider. There's also coleus. Some have distinctive markings which can brighten up a shaded spot.

Coleus, and Caladiums ... Not for blooms, but Beautiful Colorful Foliage!

Agree with the coleus. Beautiful color.

I also love columbines, although they are perennials (foliage is beautiful also)probably one of my favs! They do well in low light areas, they also love to grow under pine trees.

This message was edited Apr 2, 2007 10:23 PM

I've heard that balsam (Impatiens balsamina) will work in part shade, and you can grow it from seed (unlike regular impatiens). It supposedly is very easy to grow and doesn't need as much water as regular impatiens either. I'm going to try it this year in a part shade area myself... we'll see if it works!

I love impatiens.

Thanks for your inputs---all pretty suggestions. I am going to try the impatiens, coleus, & begonias. I don't think I would have success with the Caladiums. I looked them up on the plant search and they were all for zones 9-11 (I'm in 5a). I also looked up the columbine, and it says to "direct sow after last frost" on some of them. Does direct sow mean you just plant the seeds directly in the ground? Is there any prep work I should do? I assume I should wait until the ground warms a bit from this late cooooold weather.

Question regarding hardiness zones: If, under the plant search page, it shows "not applicable", does that mean the plant is hardy in most any zone?

Thanks for all you help. I hope my novice doesn't bore you all!

If it says N/A for hardiness, it means the plant is an annual (hardiness is irrelevant if it's a true annual, they complete their lifecycle in 1 year even in warmer climates). If it's hardy in every zone, then every zone should be checked off. I wonder if you're maybe a little confused about the meaning behind the zone listings though? If a plant is listed for zones 9-11, what that means is that it won't survive the winter in colder zones than that, but since you said you wanted annuals that shouldn't matter to you. So if you see zones listed, it means the plant will be perennial in the zones that are listed, but you can grow it as an annual if you're in a colder zone (not a good approach for big things like trees and shrubs of course, but for flowers this is a fine approach)

Caladiums in Z5 would be considered a summer annual bulb. They would do OK, but, they are tropical bulbs and prefer warm nights. You can dig up the bulbs in late fall and save them, replant in late spring. Impatiens and begonia can take cool weather better than most tropicals.

Columbine seed can be planted anytime in Z5. When ever I plant seed I lift the soil where I am going to plant with a spading fork (I don't turn it over) and then put down a layer of compost 1-2" thick (leave it level & unpressed). I would suggest that you surface sow your seed and then water. Seeds have the ability to find their own depth for germination. After you plant you can leave the area alone, unless it is a real dry spring. Columbine is a good perennial for your zone. Keep the old flowers removed (unless you want fresh seed) and it should bloom twice in a summer, once it gets established.

I think caladiums may do fine there during the summer at least--I've lived in IN and OH and the summer nights can be quite nice and muggy (one of many reasons I moved out here)!

I have had Caladiums and I am in zone 4b so am sure would do just fine for you. Can start them indoors in pots now and then just harden them off like any other plant started indoors. Key is not to plant them outdoors until night time temperatures stay between 60-65 F. Last year I planted them directly outdoors in June and they did fine. I use them like an annual and just replant each year but can dig up and store over winter. If you plant them don't get discouraged as it takes about 3 weeks or more for them to come up. That is why I started mine indoors this year. You can plant pot and all if want and then dig the pot in fall to store over winter.
Advantages of caladiums are color all season without flowers to deadhead. Nice pairing is using one of the taller ones such as 'Red Flash' with wax begonias which are basically self deadheading.

This message was edited Apr 17, 2007 8:31 AM

Here is a picture of my beautiful columbine in bloom. Couldn't believe the size of the flower, its about 3 inches!
I started the seeds in a greenhouse in January. They have a slow germination time, not sure how long they take to sprout when directly planted in the ground. They do like cooler weather though.

I love the combination of impatiens & caladiums.I also planted columbine songbird dove last spring & they were simply stunning against a woodland background. Fixing to bloom again any day now...

I really, really like the Fusion exotic Impatiens...I think those might be the Impatiens Balsamina Rebecca mentioned. They brought a nice splash of color to my shady yard all last summer, and I'll be using them again this year.

http://www.simplybeautifulgardens.com/plant_info.aspx?phid=096404094014210

Wow Noreaster, those Fusion (tm) Exotic Impatiens are gorgeous! If I can find them locally am going to definitely find a spot for those this year. So glad I read this thread!

They are kind of hard to find...I've been hitting all the local nurseries this past week and have only seen them for sale at two places. And neither one had all the colors available. I used "Heat" last year, which was a really nice rosy pink. This year I'm trying "Radiance", which is more like a shrimp/orange color. I think they have sort of a softer look than the traditional impatiens.

Thanks for the added information Noreaster! Both of the colors you describe sound great. Sure hope I can find some locally. Agree that they have a softer look which is one the characteristics I found particularly appealing.