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SHADE
BY GLADYS JEURINK
There are different kinds of shade and it makes a difference
in what you can grow.
1.
Light shade is 2-4 hours of shade per day.
2.
Filtered shade is sunlight through branches all
day.
3.
Part shade is 4-5 hours of shade per day.
4.
Full shade lasts all day.
So if you watch your garden you can decide on which plants you
want where. Nearly all
plants can use some shade during the very hot days.
You can have a good deal of color without blooms if you choose
leaves that are variegated.
In my catalogs this year there is a white leafed Hosta that would not
survive very long in sun. The leaf shapes are also very different and it
makes it fun just to see the variations.
Another problem to watch for in shady areas is water.
Tree roots are thirsty and can steal lots of water and nutrients
from plants in the shade. Rhododendrons love shade as well as acidic
soil but their roots are shallow and cannot compete with trees unless
there is enough water for
both. I have them on the North side of the house which
gives them some wind protection during the winter. The
PJM’s are smaller and easier to grow than the others.
Hollies do well under high shade and on the east side of the
house where they get morning sun.
I like to have several females that are compatible with one male
in order to get the red berries for Christmas decorations. Since they
keep their leaves during the winter the
house protects them from some of the wind. Many people call them
winter berries. Some of my Hollies have blue berries and some have red.
You need at least two of the same kind of Holly to get the berries. Ask
the
Ferns can not stand full sun.
Many years ago I planted some on the South end of the yard and
they gradually migrated northward. There are tall Ferns, short Ferns,
and soft ones. As with other
plants you can use mulch
around their roots to keep them cool.
In the back corner in front of a fence, I have Goats Beard (Aruncus
sp.) It is a fine leafed water loving plant. A tall one may get 6 feet
tall and a shorter on to feet tall.
They have a white fluffy bloom that hangs down like a beard.
If you want a plant in shade that can take care of itself, try
Blue Bells (Campanula rotundifolia). Years ago I bought 3 plants and now
I have a blue area under a large Cottonwood Tree that spreads a little
more each year by roots. I let it go as it dies back in May and I can
plant in its territory with
annuals such as Impatiens or Begonias without bothering my blue
patch. On April 15th the Blue Bells were in full bloom. There are not
many blue flowers in
Under a Crab Tree there is a patch of ‘Jack Frost’ Brunnera that
seeds well. It has variegated (frosty) rough leaves in an 18-20 inch
wide clump and only 6 inches tall. Some of its seedlings are solid green
but easy to pull. It has dainty blue flowers but the fun is the
variation in the long (12 inches) and wide (3 inch) leaves. One has
crossed to the other side of the yard and is in a stump of a Redbud Tree
(Cercis Canadensis). The rest of the Redbud and the Jack Frost are doing
fine.
Annabelle Hydrangea also grows well under the high shade of the
Cottonwood Tree. Each fall I cut it to the ground and each spring the
bush is a little wider and I have given many away. It gets about 5 feet
tall with 12 inch white blooms that last until frost, just turning
somewhat pink. From a tiny plant to a now 8 foot around plant its blooms
can be taken inside and dried to make a winter bouquet.
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