Osee said "Go to the most informative forum at Dave's"

The last 2 to 3 years I have become a very busy gardener, putting in 6 or 7 new beds. Today Jack caught me running in the house with tape measure in hand and a gleeful look on my face. He immediately became suspicious. I had to quickly explain that the little patch by the driveway needed plants instead of grass. He rolled his eyes BIG TIME. So I'm thinking, Cimiciguga Black Beauty, Astilbe, Euphorbia, Aconitum, an azalea or two, some aquilegia, a dicentra......It's a semi shady area under a big "pine barren" pine. It's about 100 square feet in a triangular shape. I need everyone's input and experiences with the "this is a great shade plant, this is a... never get this one" Osee is particularly interested as he loves to hang on that side of the house.
PS. please notice he is lying on a NY Giants blanket. He refused to lie on it last night, kind of freaky!

HMMM... that is kinda freaky! Osee must know something.

What you listed sounds good to me. I'm sure others have great ideas.

I just requested a catalog from Fairweather. Hopefully I can get to one of their open houses this spring. Are you planning on going?

Jan

Your list sounds pretty good to me also. How dry is this area? Does the tree take a lot of the moisture? Cimicifuga needs to not dry out much so that would be my only concern with it. How about some of the sun tolerant hosta, dark leaved heucheras, perennial foxgloves, penstamon like 'Dark Towers' or 'Husker Red', daylilies, mums, violas and don't forget this fall some bulbs for the spring. Lots of choices depending on the moisture factor. You can grow a few things there that are not hardy here so I am sure more suggestions will be made by others. Sounds like fun and congrats on an understanding DH, always a plus.

Do you have a pic of the site venu? I have alot of shade beds with tree root competition.

It has average moisture retention, not extremely dry. Grass does fine there without supplemental watering.

Thanks for the suggestions Ngam. I forgot about DLs and Huechies!
Dahlia, I'll get a pic tomorrow. The pine is in one corner, not the center, so that should make it easier for the plants and me at planting time.

Sorry, Weeze - just saw this now. I'll give a few shrub possibilities. Semi-shady with average moisture yells JM to me! Keep in mind that it will probably be more acidic than the rest of your soil, due to the needles. Itea is perfect. Hydrangea might need a little help with moisture, depending on the weather, but you can throw some crystals in when planting. Eleutherococcus is variegated and nice, and Faiweather carries it. It can take dry shade. I would add hellebores to the perennial list as well.

Now, didn't we know that JM's would be Victor's first suggestion?
Varigation sounds nice for shadyish area. Will have to look up Eleutherococcus.

Since this is mostly under a pine I would look up acid/slightly acidic loving plants and go from there. Here are some.....
Lupines, Common Foxglove, Monkshood, Torch Lily,Creeping Phlox,
Newzealand Daisy, Japanese Iris, Flowering Quince, Balloon Flowers, Coneflower, Peony.
Have fun!

Another good shrub to consider is Leucothoe.

OC is beautiful,What a lucky cat.

I love Dicentra for shady spots... the astible is beautiful but it doesn't last long enough

in this bed there is a harry lauders walking stick, pussy willow (that gets the sun), lots of coral bells, hellebore, pulmonaria, azalea, old fashioned bleeding heart, primrose, crocus, astible, and I always add coleus & impatiens under the pussy willow... and around the bleeding hearts once they die down

edit -- if you feel like digging or for containers begonia & caladium are great for color

This message was edited Jan 14, 2009 6:12 AM

Speaking of a nutty cat. It was on the news 3-4 a.m. today

www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICuqGPlY4r0

☺ You gotta love cats.

Thanks for all the suggestions! Victor, I looked up the 2 of the shrubs and really liked the Itea "Henry's Garnet" I thought that would be a perfect anchor shrub.

Allison, ask Pirl how to lengthen the astilbe season. She has a very unique way of extending bloom time ^_^

Jan, I would love to go to Fairweather this year. Maybe we could meet up there. Allison, you up for a trip south? Maybe you could bring Victor with you.

Sherrie, you always supply the best animal videos!

Here's a pic of the site. It was raked of needles at least 3 times this fall. Wouldn't know it by this shot.

Definitely sounds like a possibility. LOL That would be nice.

I remember Pirl's astible extender.... my honey thought i was nuts when I suggested it...

I would love to take a trip to Fairweather... that's really not that far from here... and Victor is always welcome to hitch a ride

Sometimes I think our honeys just don't get it!

Fairweather....sounds like a group road trip....betcha Michelle and Jen could be coaxed too. There's another place I stumbled upon in Hunterdon County last fall that is on my "must visit in spring" list. They specialize in Iris, daylilies and peonies. Only 5 minutes from the Pittstown Inn if we want to do lunch

You could also plant some of the Carex' or Hakenochloa - they will perform nicely in a shady location with average moisture, Kirengeshoma & Epimediums will too.

I have several Leucothoe - there is a small red one that may get to 2' max. I'll have to see if I can locate the tag.

that sounds nice.... I will ask Michele

Michele said she would love to come with us... (and feels bad that she hasn't been on)

Just got my Fairweather Garden catalog today. You know what I'll be doing tonight.

Hmmm, I didn't get Fairweather's yet, but Jan your post prompted me to check the recycling. I found Klehm's and Brent & Becky's. I told Jack all catalogues EXCEPT gardening could go directly to recycling.

Tell Michele not to feel bad. Some people are cyber, some are not.

Jan, their cat should provide their open house dates.

Katye, thanks, Kirengeshoma is ordered!

I didn't get mine yet either!

Uh oh...Klehm's has some very enticing plants.

go with a white bleeding heart they are so beautifull put two in last year its a real stopper

with oriental white fancy columbines the wings are long and different colors the blooms seem to float in the air

Maybe I only got mine cuz I mailed a request last week for one with $5.00. Since I had never bought from them before, it cost the $5.00. If you order apparently you are on the mailing list for 2 years. I really like printed catalogs, cuz I can turn pages and not have to go from screen to screen on the computer which sometimes it seems to take forever.
So, if you could recommend only 1 JM - which one would make the cut?

I like Katye's idea aabout carex or hakonechloa.

Check the website. The dates for Open Houses are listed. They have more this year cuz people requested them.
Open Houses:
Sat. 3/21 9-4
Sat. 4/4 9-4
Fri. and Sat. 5/1 ,2 9 -2
Sat. 5/30 9-2
Sat. 6/20 9-2

You can order for pick-up during the March and April ones, but the May and June ones are first come, first served.

April fouth looks good. March is a bit early. It is nice to preorder and have the plants picked and waiting. Of course I wander around and pick some more!

Finally found this thread...was avoiding it because I thought it was about cats....lol...so sorry!!!!
April 4th sounds good to me!


Sometimes I'm so indecisive when it comes to planting.... would liriope work?

if you have shade and pine needdles what a great place to plant hostas since they love shade and the pine needles stop the snails and slugs

I will check with Michele... if that's good for her

April 4 sounds good to me, too, Weez.

Michele and I are both in for April 4th!!!

woo hoo!!!
We should post a separate thread and one on Midatlantic forum...some of those folks are close enough.

I have always wanted to visit. If we don't have something planned, I will definitely try!

You're right Jen. Last time I was there I saw plates from Va, Md and Delaware.

Victor, I know long drives bother your back, so if you wanted to hook up somewhere in north jersey and be a passenger, I'b be happy to accomodate you.

Looks like April 4th is a garden playdate!

Woo-hoo!!!

Victor ... you can always meet up with me and Michele... and i can take you the last leg.. my truck has heated seats too!

And I can attest to a comfy ride and leg room.

LOL

Thanks. If I can make it I will definitely hitch a ride.