Inviting plants for full shade?

Those briars are really hard to control! If you just cut them to the ground they just come back up.

I've had my head in the clouds and just now thought of some plants I have that would work. The one in this picture is a Bear's Breeches. This is small as I moved it about a month after planted it somewhere else. I was told by a friend on DG that it could get as big as a VW BUG. It is now in a corner where that will be quite alright. Died down some this winter but came up green everyday it was warm. The other is the Hoja Santa. It got large and then put out more plants from the lateral roots. Already coming up by the dozens. I love it, smells like root beer. Will try to find a picture of it as well. Neither of these is winter hardy but they don't die down until the first really hard, prolonged freeze. Now it appears they will be the first things up. Only gone for less than 3 months. I also have a picture of the BB blooming at the Dallas Arboretum. My pictures are a mess. Can never find anything when I want it.
LouC

think faster than I type and make typos. sorry

This message was edited Mar 3, 2008 3:21 PM

davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/177/

This message was edited Mar 3, 2008 3:30 PM

Obviously , this is not the Hoja Santa. Found this picture of the turks cap first.
This also dies down in the winter very late and comes back real early in the spring. I no longer even put out hummer feeders because they swarm these blooms. East pass-a-long and grows equally as well in sun or shade. Requires NOTHING on your part.

try again

LouC

This is not the best of pictures. The Hoja Santa is on the extreme right. Large leaves. It doesn't require any care either and is spreading like mad now. It gets bigger every year. I was actually taking a picture of where my tree of 40 years had been.
It really hurt when I had to have it removed.

And of course always the four-o-clocks. first time, throw out a hand full of seeds and run before the overtake you. I have them come up everywhere and leave them until I decide I want the space for something else. The others are just a really good filler. Mine grow in sun or shade. Not picky.

Christi have your Bears Breeches flowered yet? I had mine for four or five years, still waiting. I moved it two or three times at the old place, trying to place it somewhere it would like. Boy is it a thug! Everyplace I moved it from, it started growing again.

That has happened to me as well. Only if you take the soil as well as the root do you have a better chance of it not coming back. I had read the comments in plantfiles and people in California HATE it. I am giving it one more year before it is banished to the backyard near the air conditioners.
Podster.. Has anyone mentioned strawberry geranium. It loves full shade and it is a very pretty and elegant ground cover and is evergreen. I think you can see it behind the zinnias....Sorry, I am having trouble with my eyes so this is from memory. BTW, let us know if your friends ever come back to visit again!

I will research the strawberry geraniums. Don't they have delicate white blooms? Thanks much! The company is a great help and have been willing victims. It is appreciated as DH isn't physically able to do much. I'm considering disabling their vehicle. LOL

The green briars are indeed good for wildlife. While researching, I found the new shoots are edible and enjoyed by wildlife... they just don't eat enough! LOL We could even eat them and they are reputed to taste like asparagus.

Last summer, I found some partridge berry (Mitchella repens) growing in our woods. It had tiny white blooms and red berries. I am thinking I will try to relocate some of this delicate plant for some groundcover.
http://davesgarden.com/community/journals/viewentry/131608/ I know it will do well in these woods.

I better stay away from the bears breeches. This space won't hold too many VWs ~ LOL

LouC what did you buy at Canton? Any plants for your space?

Good Morning. Purchased only plants at Canton. I already have more collections than they do. Let's see, a thornless Mexican Lime, two Hollyhock, 5 hen & chicks, 2 hanging baskets with cherry tomato, 1 hanging basket with purple verbena, 1 hanging basket with variegated airplane plant. Guess that was it. I go mainly to meet and visit with my friend. She bought a lot more than I did but I already had most of what they had this time. Oh yeah, speaking of, I bought 1 gal. rue and I already have it. Duh! It is a nursery from Frankston and their stock is always beautiful.

By the way, we have snow this morning. First time this winter...now that it is almost spring. Lots of new growth in the garden and guess it all is burned. It was 30 degrees for a couple of hours. 80 degrees on Sunday.

Aloha,
Christi

Marylee lf you find the plant let me know how much it cost first. I owe you enough already I think?

Pod
The strawberry geranium does have a very small white bloom. It does spread fast and looks nice with the vareigated leaves. I have this if you need a start.
Several days ago I planted the Texas red or Lady in red salvia. I got about 50 plants of this from other areas of the yard. . The one that returns from roots and reseeds so plentiful. We got about 3" of rain the next day so they should be settled in nicely. Also planted a large bag of bulbs- about 10 clumps. I plan to do things in large drifts since it is a good distance from the house. Will need to take out more small trees to get more sun. Next I will dig and plant a drift of the yellow coriopsis. This area is down a hill and will be difficult to get water to the plants so need easy things that can make it on their own.
On the down side- still digging out the green briars and wild honeysuckle. While doing this got some poison ivy on me. This is also a favorite area for armadillos. What we do as gardeners !
I can get a load of daylilies from a friend, mostly the orange ditch and yellow Stellas. I would like some blue or purple down there. Obedience-purple or a blue salvia. Other ideas of tough plants for the area ? Needs to be big and make a statement from about 50 feet or more. Lots of beauty berry are already there.
DD

DD ~ thanks again for your generous offer of the strawberry geranium. I feel like I am light years away from planting anything there but am gratified to know that this lovely groundcover will grow in our climate. SIL in Kansas City, Mo has a beautiful bed of it and I just thought we would be too hot. pod

Pod I bet you are overwhelmed with all the help and suggestions? Are you confused yet? LOL

LOL ~ Sylvia ~ not confused yet... Company left yesterday and I have started by listing a lot of these suggestions. The list is the first entry here ~ http://davesgarden.com/community/blogs/t/podster/7856/

Now, I need to do some research about what requirements these plants take, also what the heck some of those plants are??!? LOL

The old fence is GONE! Some of it was tough to remove as the roots of the honeysuckle and Aspidistra ~ cast iron plant had grown up thru it. I still have limbs to pick up, small trees to take out and some limbing up to do. There is honeysuckle and some other trash plants to be removed and a big dead pine that we will have to have removed. I think later when I start digging, I may have some cast iron plant to share also. It has really multiplied!

Anyway, confused? No... only determined! 8 ) pod

BTW, has anyone in TX grown Arum italicum? I think they are lovely but probably not practical here...

also what the heck some of those plants are??!? LMHO!


Oh Pod, the leaves on that plant is awesome! I just goggled it. I think its an Aresema. I also think I know where a Coop that might have it too. I want one too. I am gonna check

They are beautiful and the berries are delightful too. I've heard they can spread by bulb and by seed and will clump nicely.

One of my reference books indicates mostly shade... But Sylvia, it also says the foliage emerges in fall and in mild zones will remain all winter. I would bet our freezes will stop it from growing. That is why I wondered if anyone in TX had any experience with them...

It is suggested as a container plant too though. A caution on these, all parts of the plants are poisonous.

References indicate the Arums are not related to the Arisaema which is commonly known as Jack in the Pulpit.

.... you and your reference books! lol Pod you have learned a lot in the last few days! Keep reading and sharing the info. :) I need to check on JITP! I bought six last year and lost them:( Not enough deep shade

Sylvia, I've lost track of what you said you were looking for. I have been really busy at work and haven't had time for DG. What was it you wanted?

I think it was the Orchid tree and the Ferns.

Pod I found your Arum in Coop, I got myself two. :)

Dmail

Which Arum did you track down? There are lots of them... http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/search.php?q=arum

You should be able to assemble a collection of them.

Then, when you are successful, I will rely on you for growing tips... LOL

Pod, I've alot of shade in my garden in which I'm doing some 'homework' right now to add on my backyard/side yard where deep shade gardening orientation is called. So recently I bought this book, and found alot helpful hints from this. Check it out. HD and lowes carry this magazine;
The best of Fine Gardening Design Ideas.

Yes, I think I saw you mention it elsewhere. Will have to look for it. Thanks...

Sorry I'm late to this...

I am quite limited in shade plants due to free-roaming deer but I've had good luck with these in the shade AND NOT eaten by the deer (BONUS!)

Turk's cap
Coleus
Columbine

I'd say better late than never. Thanks for your input Katharita! All those plants are a bright spot of color too...

I have the Turks cap and for some reason it doesn't like my soil. I moved it to various locations with no blooms. Finally potted it up and received a few meager blooms late last summer. Does yours seem to bloom much in shade?

I am fortunate that the fence and my dogs will discourage the deer. I know that can be a special challenge in itself.

Pod-
I really like the Turk's cap and have several types/colors of it growing. I get good blooms from most but seems like they do better the 2nd year. I have a neat vareigated one but it wants to revert back to the green. Cutting off the green shoots help but you have to keep after it. Last year I got a pink bloomer one. Will see how it does this year. They root easily so IF they go well I can start some for you.
I also have a native, I think, that is similar to beautyberry. It does not grow as big and the berries are much more of a pink than the purple. It has smaller, brighter green leaves that stay green all year. Grows well in shade. Not sure what it is...anyone know. Wish I could send photo but camera is not working well.
My new planting area is similar to yours. It is quite a ways down the hill and will be difficult to water. I may get a bit more sun than your new area. There is the native beautyberry there already. I am putting things there that can make it on their own, I hope. Finally got all of the wild blackberries,honey suckle and briars out. As per usual for me, it is much larger than I first planned, about 25 X 100 feet. Good thing is that it has years of decayed leaves that make the soil very good and easy digging. I moved oxalis and wild violets in the shadiest area. The things that reseed easily and take over are getting moved and planted in drifts. Thus far I have moved lots of coriopis, Texas red salvia and purple cone flowers. Next will be the fern leaf yarrow, white bloom. Then black eyed Susan, Zebrina hollyhock, purple Obedient and artimesia oriental lime green. May even try some poppies but they do not like to be moved. Also on my list are Stella daylilies and TB iris but this will be after I see the bloom color. I must keep reminding myself that the area will not get watered and must make it on its own. I am so spontaneous that I am sure that my area will not be as well planned or researched as yours. If things make it-great, if not-oh well. Another thought is to make a winding path with the native sand stone on the property but that is quite a chore. Really like it in the many areas that I have done prior. I usually plant the little sedum that blooms yellow around and between the stones.
Why do I get crazy every spring? I already have more beds than I can not take care of now. Guess that is why they call it "Spring fever".
Look forward to seeing your more planned out area and it's progress.
DD

DD ~ I guess I am lucky to be bound by the fence. After hearing of your expansion, I see it keeps things within reason! LOL I know it's not instant gratification but rather than try to move the poppies, why don't you just seed them and be patient... 8 )

What did it take to get all the honeysuckle out? Also, I am thinking the nasty little plants that are volunteering here are privet hedge, probably compliments of the birds I generously feed! Grrrr. They shouldn't be too difficult to dig while they small and just getting a toehold. Probably a job for today if I don't get rained out...

I think your impromptu area sounds delightful, Here, if I am true to form, I have good intentions and run out of time or patience and stuff plants in the ground, no order or organization. I must add that I hope you will get the camera working as I would loved to see your project progress. The sandstone walks sound delightful. I had thought maybe pinestraw for paths and mulch.

If your area is like here, it will receive flooding in winter and spring and drought during extended summer months. That makes it necessary for some tough plants... Ahhhh, gardening in east Texas! LOL

....quote "...gardening in east Texas!" Is exactly like gardening in central Alabama. lol, b/w the clay soil and chert rocks and many more thing we have in common...
Good morning to you Pod, and DD.
Kim

Pod
I am gettting rain today since early this morning. Not bad for me as I have a Master Gardeners meeting today anyway. We have several members from the Tyler area Orchid group coming with their blooming plants for the program.
On Poppies...Planting seeds require planning ahead, which is something I do not always do. Sowing seeds in fall and keeping the many leaves off of them is a chore for me and I forget. They self sow so thick in other areas that I thin them and some do make it with the move.
I really do like walkways going into garden areas. The stone ones usually look great but are work to gather the rock and relocate them. I also have trails that I use pine straw. I like it but it requires adding to it anually.
Honey suckle is a tough thing to get rid of in areas. I just rake the area first then hand dig it as that is the only way to get every tiny root. If any remains you will have another job ahead. With poison ivy dormant, I have already got my spring rash. Guess I am getting more tolerant of this real thug as each year my reaction is better. After it gets growing, I can see it and use gloves when ripping it out.
I have lived and gardened in several areas but prefer east Texas. Love the acid soil, pine straw and natural leaf mold which is plentiful. The heavy rainy season followed by no rain and heat can be difficult. I plant things that can survive in these conditions. Now brugs are a different story and must give them the attention they require.
I will soon have my camera fixed or replaced and will share my successes and failures.
My biggest problem is I had rather put in a new garden than maintain an old one. Guess I just like to create with visions of a magazine cover but lack the discpline to make it happen. Thus the need for "make it on your own" plantings.

It is amazing isn't it Kim. All areas share common challenges...

DDE ~ Uhhhh another Master Gardener... I am surrounded by those with so much skill! I can't run with the big dogs so I better get on the porch! LOL

I do love east Texas for many reasons and wouldn't change it. The pine straw paths and mulch won't be difficult here as this area will be small.

How do you properly dispose of the honeysuckle you dig up?

Pod,
Sounds as you're facing a challenge hubby and I faced last spring. Between a family of good neighbors and us, we've a vacant lot which belongs to neighbors. The wild honey suckles and chinese previts has taken over and to top it off with age-old thorny briars. Last early spring about this time of year, hubby and I decided to help the couple clear the area out. So we proceeded with immunitions aiming for those thuds. Our weapons were big pruner, picks, heavy gloves and the invaluable "vines and shrubs killer". Those previt seedlings, we pull plant and roots up and all. Larger previt, hubby cut and paint them with the mentioned weeds killer, same thing with honeysuckles. Neighbor and his wife joined in the task. So we had a neighboring activity and luncheon to celebrate spring for a couple of days of hard work. Neighbor also came up with the idea of burning them suckers in a large barrel. One thing with burning those weeds. Be certain there is no poison ivy in the mix - which would be disastrous!
Another suggestion to rid of honey suckles is to allow them to be dried out in paver area before allow them to decompose in the compost pile.

Some good ideas Kim, thank you. It has gone to raining hard enough here that I will stay in for now. The good thing is the rain makes weeding removal far easier...

Ditto.

Pod
Back from a great MG meeting.
Ha ha on the skill level of folks that are MGer's. I find that most are in different stages of skills with many in just the begining step. I like it because you meet so many gardeners, have interesting speakers and take neat field trips. But highly skilled is not required for membership here.
The yanked up honeysuckle just goes into a pile until most is dead. Where I have it, it is ok if some small sprouts survive to be yanked again later. I will haul to a distant area later.
I too have a cold, rainy day today. Understand that temps below my age is cold for me.

DdeTex, I am planning on getting a Turk's Cap for a shady area.I'll be on the lookout for the pink one. sounds really pretty.Be careful with the Artemsia Oriental lime Green. Pretty plant but it was very invasive for me. . I finally gave up trying to control it and pulled the momma plant.Still pulling the baby plants that spread from the roots...

Pod
Age does have it's privileges but cold temps are not one of them. Seems like the older I get the longer I must wear my winter "uniform".
I know about the artimesia being a thug. I have to thin it everywhere I drop a piece as it rooted. The area that I recently put it is an area that I hope it will take. It will be in a large area a good distance from other things and will be a splash of nice color in the woods.
Let's give my turk's cap a little longer in warm temps to see how it does. If I have been successful, I may have some nice starts of it that I can share. Maybe the var. and the pink will jump. I know the regular type will be plentiful. Another good shade plant is the oak leaf hydrangea. It is great in every season. Got extras if you need some of it.
The MG program was on orchids and I am already infected with that addiction. Seems like I go from one plant to another with this disease.
We will have our anual spring plant sale next month so my attention is on potting up tons of things for that event. Just hope I do not bring home as much as I take this year.
Maybe a nice day today so I can continue my new project. Bet the path idea becomes a "must do". Lugging those rocks down a hill will be a chore.
D

Ahhh... far easier down hill that up! LOL

One plant to another I truly understand. Last year I got carried away with the Scutellarias.

This year I am looking for birds and butterflies plants that will bloom in good sun in unimproved beds without much moisture not needing a lot of care or fertilizing and will overwinter in ground with out needing an extra dose of mulch from Mexico and South America that will hopefully be fragrant. Whew! Do you think there is such a critter? Good thing this small shade area is distracting me!

but what goes down must come up....
I am not good with names and not sure on your scutellerias...what is that, as I may need a dose of it.
I do have a butterfly- bird area that meets all your criteria but maybe fragrant, many colors of lantana, Mex. bird of paradise, Mex. patunia both tall and dwarf and purple cone flowers do well for me. The butterflies really go for these.
Well foggy this morning here and a bit cool. Weatherman calls for near 70's most of the week. My over crowded GH has many flats of things taken out but always fearful of the Easter cold snap. May have to stay and play in the GH until it warms a bit. Another day in paradise. Off to do a few of the things on my list if I can stay focused.
D

For the salvia list you might add http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/91805/ which is Salvia miniata.

Perhaps jacobinia:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/643/ to mix in with firespike, etc.

I don't know if anyone mentioned giant leopard plant either:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1308/

Brett

The jacobinia I have and will be taking to the CS RU if anybody wants some. I'd like to know where to buy the leopard plant. It looks like a good companion for split leaved philodendron.