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Georgia Gardener

Native shade plant recommendations

9 years ago

I live just north of Atlanta and am looking for recommendations for native pants (small shrubs, herbs, ferns, evergreen preferred) that can take shade and clay soil (and are available at some nurseries). I have an area along a fence that won't grow grass because of the shade.
Thanks!

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Comments (7)

Iris GW
9 years ago
Well this weekend you can get plants at small sales from reputable small growers. There is a great list just for shade perennials.

And no, I don't work for them but I have bought many plants from them in the past.

There is also a sale in Gainesville.

Here is a link that might be useful: List for sale in Roswell on Friday and Saturday
atrox
Original Author
9 years ago
Thanks for the list!
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satellitehead - I can not speak for the the perennials or ferns, I barely looked. We were there early and it was busy. In a short time the azaleas were getting bought out. I barely looked at them either as it wasn't what I was buying - just noted for a future plan. I can say that the shrubs I purchased are in great shape, but none have leaves, they are just breaking dormancy which is exactly how I want them. Bought a bunch of sticks with buds I did. I can say that I spent $111 on 5 shrubs at a large nursery last Monday - two anise, 2 Leucothoe and a red buckeye, buckeye was $30 for a 1 gallon (I wanted three of them and settled for one). The same nursery had the oakleaf hydrangea pee wee 1 gal for $24, GNP had them for $9.50. At GPC I got the same size Leucothoe, anise, another 5' buckeye and a slew of other stuff for a lot less and in equal condition or better because I don't feel that they are hothouse babies. I don't want my viburnums leafed out quite yet, particularly with the ice balls we are getting pelted with today. I also received a mail order of viburnums this week which was $275 for seven plants (with shipping). Two of them were 3 gallons, the rest smaller. They are in great shape, but at GPC they were $8-10 each in harder to find species. Everything I buy requires shipping costs out the ears - usually 25%, plants are small, so for me the GPC is outstanding. I would love to order from Nearly Natives in GA, but it's too much on shipping with sales tax, or a 4 hour drive each way. GPC is over an hour away. My yard has zero in it and I need (erm...want maybe...nah, need) a lot of foundation plants. I guarantee the leucothoe and anise at GPC were commercially grown, they did not fit in.
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As far as spacing, maybe consider Dwarf Firebush. Firebush enjoys a variety of lighting conditions (constant shade will make it stringy). The Dwarf variety is not about the width/size of the plant but about he leaf size. The leaves are about 1-2 inches x .5x1inch compared to a standard firebush 3-5 inches x 2-3 inches. It is native hardy and a moderate to fast grower. Does well in containers. Should be able to find at any nursery. NuTurf in pompano sells the dwarf variety (nuturf is a franchise I know in miami). A great place to go is Flamingo Road Nursery, the employees here a very knowledgeable and the nursery is fantastic. I have it near my pool and have no problem maintaining it at a nice bushy 2-3 foot high and is always flowering. http://www.flamingoroadnursery.com/ Here is a link that might be useful: Flamingo Road Nursery
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Phlox stolonifera or Linnaea borealis may work. I have no idea how much sun/shade you are dealing with. I am totally surprised by the ease of growing Linnaea. I thought it would need cool, peaty, moist conditions, but it trails like crazy and never flags in the heat. Plus, what wonderful fragrant flowers. Rx
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grandbb, Here is a link to the Arizona Native Plant Society. They have a series of eight booklets - sort of like field guides - that should be helpful too. Plus, they area very affordable at $2.25 each. You can purchase them locally at the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix or Boyce Thompson Arboretum near Superior, but if you have time you could order them before your visit. I hope this helps. Cathy Here is a link that might be useful: Arizona Native Plant Society publications
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junco East Georgia zone 8a
9 years ago
Euonymus americanus, also known as 'Hearts-a-bustin' is a wonderful shade shrub in my garden. It is about 8' tall after 10 years with a very open, weeping habit. Inconspicuous spring flowers turn into beautiful red fall fruit that give it the common name. Very eye-catching.
The shrubs listed in the link posted by esh aren't separated by sun and shade, but many of them would do well if you have dappled light in the area you are planning for. I like Oak-leaf hydrangea, Titi, Virginia sweetspire, Summersweet. Native azaleas will do well with a little more sun. All of these are deciduous. The various anise and sweet olives are evergreen.
Good luck, and have fun. I wish I could make it to the sale in Roswell. I've bought good native plants at the Botanical Garden in Athens.

Here is a link that might be useful:
Iris GW
9 years ago
The native plant sale at the Botanical Garden in Athens is also coming up - Oct 1-4 and again Oct 8-11. It will be bigger this year than ever.
raptor1
9 years ago
a plant that grows well in my garden and shady areas and spreads well is Annabelle hydrangea and truly is a pass along plant in my garden due to it's growth habit. I cut them down to the ground each year and they spread very well almost TOO well BUT I love the huge white flower heads in the spring.
railroadrabbit
9 years ago
You may find some help here:

http://gnps.org/plantsale/Plant_Sale_15/Plant_Sale_Flyer.pdf

Georgia Native Plant Society 2015 Annual Spring Plant Sale
Saturday, April 18
10 a.m.-2 p.m.
McFarlane Nature Park
280 Farm Road SE, Marietta, GA 30067

(Use Winged Foot Cir entrance. Follow signs from Paper Mill Rd.)

Select from thousands of sun and shade loving native plants: trees, shrubs, perennials and ferns for all growing conditions and to help attract wildlife.

Knowledgeable volunteers to assist in making your selections.
railroadrabbit
9 years ago
Also, I don't think the Autumn Fern is native to GA, but I have had very good luck with it, even in heavy shade under a large oak. It is evergreen, and has a bronze cast on the foliage in Fall. Mine grows about 12in. to 18 in. I mulch around it to keep soil moist, and water it during drought. It has survived neglect when many of my other ferns died.

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