Ideas? Replacing 3 roses w/perennial/shrub needing less sun

16 years ago

Guess I've come to the conclusion that a hedge of roses lining our driveway isn't working that well. The 4 roses on the ends (2 on each end) seem to do better, probably because they are getting a little more full sun than the 3 in the middle.

I have waited and waited for 3 years now, and the center ones barely bloom.

Can anyone suggest a VERY LONG-FLOWERING (or gorgeous foliage perennial or shrub) that could go in between these roses, that doesn't require so much sun? It gets morning sun, then our maple tree canopy seems to give semi-shade after 1:00. The bed is long, but only about 3 feet deep or wide.

I was thinking of trying some hostas or a hydrangea like Endless Summer...I don't want something that blooms only a few weeks and has ugly foliage.

I am so bummed...will move the 3 (Flutterbye, Bow Bells and Golden Celebration) in the fall or spring to the backyard gardens where they get full sun.

Thanks for your help guys! :0) Phyl

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Comments (11)

ceterum
16 years ago
Hardy Geraniums are my favorite edging plants for roses. Geranium Rozanne and a few others bloom all summer. Foxglove is happy in somewhat shady position, so are some campanulas.
If that area gets enough water you could plant Astilbes into those spots.
bean_counter_z4
16 years ago
A lot of people complain about Endless Summer in cold zones. Some years it blooms some years it doesn't. I would go with hydrangea Annebelle. Very reliable, long blooming, carefree if you provide enough water.
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The Rozanne geraniums will look great spewing out of the fence - they are vigorous plants that bloom their heads off from June to frost for me. As far as the evergreen foundation shrub goes - I think keeping it was a good decision since it provides structure, an area for the eye to rest, winter interest, and is a nice counterbalance to the looseness of the perennials. If you want to change it up for fun, I suggest looking up cloud pruning for the shrub. I have an area with a Japanese maple just like yours underplanted with cloud pruned boxwood, and the green Hakone grass, and it looks so well designed that it's my favorite spot in the garden. You could try alternating the geranium in the front (give each plant 2-3 feet diameter space, they will definitely take it) with the Hakone grass for a contrast in texture. I have both the Aureola Hakone grass, and the regular green one. I prefer the regular one (which strangely is much harder to find) much more, it's a bit taller, and looks like a fountain bursting with lush bright green growth. I think Aureola is more garish and might clash a bit with the pink roses, but then again that's a matter of personal taste :)
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mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
16 years ago
Fern, including Japanese painted fern, Ghost and Lady in Red. Aruncus, cimicifuga, brunnera, veronicastrum, tricyrtis...

A question is how large you want the plants to be.
michaelg
16 years ago
Lobelia siphilitica, 30" x 3', blue spikes for at least 5 weeks July-August, probably native to your area, no pest or disease problems here, leafy and attractive. Prefers rich, moist soil and part shade.
athenainwi
16 years ago
If you want a shrub, my Rose of Sharon (I have Minerva) blooms well in the shade on the north side of my house. But it doesn't leaf out until late so it will look dead for a while in the spring. It blooms from about now to frost. It might be too big for your spot though. Lobelia, toad lilies (tricyrtis), and astilbe all get to about 3 feet tall and wide depending on variety so those might work.
ceterum
16 years ago
It is true that Rose of Sharon does well almost any place but it grows huge, so it might be too big in the same row. If the are is acidic you may try Erica aka heather - evergreen and blooms in late winter. Alas, I do not know if it is hardy in your zone.
phylrae
Original Author
16 years ago
Wow, you guys gave me lots of ideas! Our neighbor just dug out his Rose of Sharon a few years ago-it did get too tall for what I'd want.
Bean counter, we have hydrangea Limelight in a pot on our deck...maybe I'll just transplant it...thank you for telling me about Endless Summer...it's one that is at every nursery around here. Limelight does have gorgeous color changes too.
Ceterum, thanks for the suggestions...I will go and look them up! I've never grown geranium, but have some foxgloves in the side garden I planted from seed a few years ago and forgot about!
Mad Gallica, we have Japanese painted ferns Ursula's Red and Burgundy Lace in a shady section...growing very well. They are great ideas though. We had tried to grow them in an area closer to the rose hedge I'm talking about, but they didn't do well.

Have a great week! :0) Phyl
stefanb8
16 years ago
It sounds like a lot of sun for a true shade plant; frankly I'm surprised the roses aren't doing better than they are, because that's as much sun as any rose ever gets in my yard! However, I have to agree with Ceterum about the hardy geranium. I would go with Jolly Bee instead of 'Rozanne', which has been tougher and a better blue color. It never stops blooming.

Heucheras with bright or intense foliage - like Peach Melba or Obsidian - would make great companions.

Another option would be to try more shade-tolerant roses before giving up. Polyanthas would be at the top of that list. My family and I love 'Gruss an Aachen' (essentially a floribunda), and although some people have trouble with black spot on it, this may be more related to the clone or rootstock or some other factor. It's never gotten a disease it couldn't quickly recover from in my experience with it in Minnesota, even where it got less than three hours' direct sunlight and had claustrophobic companion plantings of hostas. My original plant was probably grafted on 'Manettii' and I've grown a number from cuttings of this version; a second came from Pickering and has done very well, too.
bettym_grow
16 years ago
How about a Pee Gee Hydrangea bush or tree? You can purchase them either way, bush form or little tree form. My tree is only about 4 1/2 feet tall while the bush is about 3 feet.
They've been in my garden for about 7 years now.

The leaves are big and pretty and the flower heads are beautiful pearl, cream colored.

You will have long lasting blooms into winter even if you don't cut the flowers to bring inside. I'm in zone 5 so once the cold weather starts setting in the flower heads turn a gorgeous shade of wine shades intermixed with pale cream. I cut them to make arrangements for winter.

JB's don't go for them like some other plants as well.

Super easy to care for too,

Betty
scoobagirl
16 years ago
have you considered daylilies?

Jeri in Texas
phylrae
Original Author
16 years ago
Heucheras are something I was thinking about...and MAYBE some more daylilies...have a dozen or so different cultivars around the front and side yards.
I will have to look up Pee Gee hydrangeas...
Thanks! :0) Phyl

Ideas? Replacing 3 roses w/perennial/shrub needing less sun

Comments (11)

ceterum

bean_counter_z4

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