Tall flowers for partial sun?

15 years ago

I have just put in a stockade fence on one side of my yard. I am considering planting something 6 or more feet tall against it. Most of the tall things I can think of require a lot of sun. This area is sited so that at the base it is in shade a good part of the day, more sun as it gets tall, and some full sun for a few hours in the afternoon. I figure there is not enough sun for a sun lover but the afternoon sun could be too much for a shade plant. I have planted a couple of shrubs, but would like to also plant perennial flowers.

Any suggestions?

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Comments (13)

omniphasic
15 years ago
Try Hesperis-It's a nice perennial that can get some height to it.It grows like a weed here in CA.....
Also,Acanthus is very impressive for the part shade with big bold leaves and pretty flower spikes.
joycewwct
Original Author
15 years ago
Hesperis is a weed and banned in CT. I have never seen it get 6 ft tall. I don't think Acanthus is hardy here. But thanks for the suggestions.
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Hi, Herbs often grow well in your backyard situation - believe it or not. Lavender for example. You can also grow some ornamental grasses like Pampass grass. It does grow into a HUGE clump of about 4-5 feet over time and is beautiful. The birds love the seeds in the fall. Amaranthus ponytails (love-lies-bleeding) also thrives in this condition - (email me and I can send you seeds which will grow quickly). This plant also gives abundant seeds which grow quickly. Coneflowers - such as purple coneflowers. (I may have some of these seeds left but not sure.) They grow about 3-4 feet tall and the monarch butterflies love these. I grow mine in the same conditions you described in a front garden HOT area and they thrive every year. Brown-eyed Susans also grow along with the purple coneflowers in the hot garden bed. There is also a product you can order from the US for this type of soil problem from ZEBA called Quench. (They ship from Vancouver.) This product looks like tiny granules, which when watered down absort about 400 times their weight. They are environmentally friendly. You don't need to use much. I just added this to my front hot garden and the rain this week is being absorbed. This product is used in golf courses throughout the US. I have provided a link for it below. (www.zeba.com) This product is better than other water crystals (which are derived from petroleum) as the Quench product is made from cornstarch! I hope this helps. Cheers, McPeg Here is a link that might be useful: Search site for
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ego45
15 years ago
Filipendula rubra, Aruncus dioicus, Aconitum carmichaelii all will love and grow tall in described by you conditions.
Actaea racemosa and Chelone glabra 'Black Ace' also could/may attain 6' in a such conditions.

Acanthus mollis is exotic annual even in 6b CT probably due to the wet winters as well :-(
joycewwct
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you ego45. Those are great suggestions. I actually have an Actaea arriving soon and the Aconitum. I was planning to put the Aconitum in a sunnier bed but will reconsider that. I never heard of that Chelone but it looks like a great choice.
morz8 - Washington Coast
15 years ago
Some of the thalictrum get that tall and should be hardy for you there -

t. delavayi Hewitt's Double, t. rochebruneanum are l-o-n-g blooming at close to 6-7', along with another purple flowered t. delavayi I grow that I bought with just a collection number and not named - wouldn't be without it.
joycewwct
Original Author
15 years ago
That's another great suggestion, morz8. Another plant I loved in a previous garden long ago.
janice__indiana5
15 years ago
Lobelia(cardinal flower) Some get 3-5 feet tall.
ego45
15 years ago
Mor, does t. rochebruneanum need staking with its height?
How it is holding in the rain?
alina_1
15 years ago
Oriental Lilies, especially pastel colored, will grow in partial shade.
cbs_z5_ny
15 years ago
Eupatorium purpureum (Joe-Pye weed) might work there.

-Caroline
morz8 - Washington Coast
15 years ago
Yes, in my coastal wind, thalictrum rochebruneanum does need staking - I have a lot of organic content to my soil but I'm not sure it would not need it in less fertile ground. Foliage and flowers don't seem fazed by either summer rain or our dry early fall either one, but my beds do get supplemental water - when and if it quits raining :)
tracey_nj6
15 years ago
It sounds perfect for clematis, no? They love shady feet.
joycewwct
Original Author
15 years ago
Lots of exciting suggestions. What great folks there are here. I have planted one clematis. I just don't know if it will get enough hours of sun, though the shady feet part is there. We'll see.

Tall flowers for partial sun?

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omniphasic

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Tall flowers for partial sun?

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