I have this spot in my yard around some camellias that needs something. The only time there is any color is in the winter and early spring. The larger tree/shrub on the right is a bannana shrub so not much color there in the spring. I planted some daffs under the first 3 camellias but after spring those will be gone along with the camellias. I guess I need some low growing summer color for the area that can take some deep shade. Any suggestions?
This is the other side of the camellias that gets more sun (I would say part sun). I don't want anything that will take away from the camellias when they are blooming in the winter time (right now).
How about Hydrangeas?
What direction does this area face?
I don't think the area is high enough underneath but I could keep the bottom underneath trimmed. Hydrangeas would do well on the side the second picture was taken. It's South facing and would get afternoon dappled shade. I have 3 nikko blues and 2 antique lace already in the yard. Are there some low growing ones I don't know about because hydrangeas get about 4-5 feet tall here.
Now that I think about it, my 3 nikkos are in a bad spot and could alternate between the camellias on the outside of the second picture. The first picture is heavily shaded most of the day.
I meant lacetop not antique lace, ha!
Aaron Caladiums would give you some nice white next to the evergreens, mingle that with some Ajuga Reptans -"black Scallop" - which is a low growing(3"-6"), dense groundcover that will put out 6-10" whirled spikes of blue late spring. They both like shade and you would have a nice contrast with evergreen tops of your current bushes, caladiums for white summer/fall and the dark mahogany of the Ajuga at the bottom..all are very reasonably priced...possible drawback is digging up the caladiums each year but if thats a pain pot them up and just move the pots to the back porch during the winter :)~ For a twist here n there put some white crinum bulbs in...Good Luck...there are so many plants out there it just gets plain hard to chose!
Yes, the hard to choose part is my problem. I like the idea of white caladiums and the ajuga underneath, that sounds like it would be pretty. Pulling up the caladiums wouldn't be a problem I already pull them up in another part of the yard.
I saw some of the ajuga scallop recently at a show...I wanted to shove it in my purse to bring home LOL
I have a little bit in the yard already and really like it too. It doesn't do much in the winter but goes crazy every summer. I know it sounds nuts but I have considered putting spider plants under the camellias as a ground cover. They die back in the winter and pop back up in the early spring.
I don't think your nuts at all for planting Crinums - they are beautiful! Theres a nice DG member that sells Crinums...heres a link in case you are interested...I know i am ordering some of them from there...they are pricey but then again...anything worth having is sometimes that way LOL
http://www.solasgardens.com/
take care and let me know what you do!
Deanna
I was talking about these: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1989/ Common everyday houseplant. Those dang common names.
I do love criniums though and think those would look great under the bannana shrub. Another option to think about
