no, I have it in Sacramento in full sun. It could probably take some shade, but it wouldn't be as vigorous... as any other shrub that likes full sun.

There is a ground cover Cottoneaster, not sure of the Latin name on it, or even the common name for that matter. I ordered it as "Ground cover Cottoneaster". It keeps most of it's leaves through the winter, and also has berries for winter interest as well. It doesn't get much taller than about 18" or so. At least not the ones that I have. They root as they spread. I planted (3) small plants, not more than a stick in the spring of 2007 and they have covered an area about 3'x6' in that short time. That along with the standard ground cover Rug Junipers, or possibly the Juniperus chinensis 'Saybrook Gold'. It gets 2-3 high but spreads out to about 6'. I'm not sure if it roots as it goes though. Good Luck! Eliot S. Walters

Thank you for these many kind thoughts. I do love the Chamaecypari nootkatensis pendula -- we put one in the front of our house -- but thought the cost of a bunch of these would be prohibitive. On the other hand, no solution will be inexpensive and at least the one we put in under similar conditions seems happy. The one hemlock I have planted has been attacked by the adelgid already, despite dormant oil sprays. Has anyone had experience with the adelgid-eating beetle, and doesn't that seem like a risky intervention? Easy to imagine bamboo escaping my control and then we'll be living on something like the set of Apocalypse Now. American holly is great, but have already had some leaf miner adventures with our two. Granted that was dealt with pretty easily. Some Thuja nigra in the front are doing well, in full sun. A mix of the trees you all have mentioned would be best, but have trouble visualizing a good "rhythm" of alternating species -- threes and fives? Some pointy, some pendula? Some colors especially successful when juxtaposed? If a particularly nice combination comes to mind that you have seen, please mention it. Grateful for your good thoughts and suggestions. Lynn

I have a P.w., at least that's what I bought it as, that is to the west of a 100' liriodendron, south of another the same size, north of more lirios, and east of my neighbor's woods.It's in a hole in the woods. It gets about 4 hours of direct sun roughly noonish to fourish, and the rest of the time gets bright to dappled sun. Also in the immediate area are a couple white pines and a Vanderwolf's Pyramid. They're probably 20-40' tall, about 20 yo. All are doing fine, I suppose if they were in full sun they would be more dense and grow a little faster, but I'm satisfied with the way they are. What you may find down the road is that your tree going from full sun nursery conditions to part shade is that it may carry fewer needles and lose a few smaller branches, especially in the interior of the tree, and become more open as it adapts to its new environment. It has been my experience that white pine tolerates some shade and releases well.