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Shady perennials for rock garden?

15 years ago

I have a pile of rocks that I have a bunch of soil packed into in plans of a rock garden. The only problem is this pile of rocks is under a maple tree which casts a lot of shade in the summer. I think I want to go with herbs, but I am unsure as to what can tolerate the shade? Any ideas? Thanks for your help!!!! -Cassie

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Comments (10)

ksrogers
15 years ago
Suggest you do a search for the key words- 'shade loving herbs'.
eibren
14 years ago
I tried making my first rock garden, literally, on a pile of rocks with soil packed between them, then found out that frequently people just place rocks strategically around the plants.

It's difficult to get enough water to the plants if the rock drainage is too great.

My first rock garden was a colossal failure.

:o(
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You don't say what your climate is, or whether you prefer natives or exotics, flowers or foliage, so it's hard to be specific. Some bulbs like shade, and others go dormant early enough for the maple's shade to be irrelevant. Some species of the genus Bellium (English daisies) form low groundcover in fairly deep shade, as do some Arenaria species. Epimedium, tricyrtis, and some species of anemone, corydalis and primula flower well in shade. And there's always ferns, many of which are very dainty.
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In shade, you probably won't find anything that will bloom spring-summer-fall. And, actually, that usually isn't possible in sunny areas, either. Look for things that flower as long as possible, and put in things that will have overlapping flowering, some early, some later. Fall is the most difficult...... I agree with the previous suggestions. Also look seriously at wood poppies. They bloom from very early spring to early/mid summer, and have great foliage after that. Also look at Corydalis. They can bloom late May to almost Aug, but have nice foliage early May, and nice foliage continues to fall. The blues and others fancies are nice, but the yellows are the toughest and longest lasting. If you have any room for tall patches, consider Jewelweed. Late spring to late summer blooms, in yellows and oranges. Not perennial, but they self-seed easily, and are simple to pluck out if they are in the wrong place. If you don't need flashy flowers, think about black cohosh, goldenseal, gingers, etc. There are perennials that will tolerate shade and bloom in Aug and after, but they generally look out of place in a 'woodlandish' garden. You might want to be happy with interesting foliage in the fall....
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cassieinmass
Original Author
14 years ago
Mine is a pile of rocks that were all bunched up on a bile of old sod. Im wondering if id have enough soil now myself. Glad you brought that up!!! -cass
eibren
14 years ago
I think mint will grow ok in par shade, but not in total shade. It would take over the whole rock garden, though.

Thyme would be perfect in a rock garden, but it needs sun.

Lemon balm will do well in part shadfe, but it gets about two feet tall and can be invasive.

I will give this some more thought...I had Google check for "shade loving herbs" and was not too impressed with the results...one did suggest wild Canadian gigner, though.

You can grow quite a few things in dappled sunlight, but if you have full shade, less is possible.

Tansy will grow in part shade. The curly variety might work out at the back of a rockery, but the plain tansy can grow as tall as six feet. The conditions you provide will affect the size of your plants as well, though.

I think most rock garden plants like sun, to be honest, but maybe some others will have better ideas.
eibren
14 years ago
I think mint will grow ok in partial shade, but not in total shade. It would take over the whole rock garden, though.

Thyme would be perfect in a rock garden, but it needs sun.

Lemon balm will do well in part shade, but it gets about two feet tall and can be invasive.

I will give this some more thought...I had Google check for "shade loving herbs" and was not too impressed with the results...one did suggest wild Canadian ginger, though.

You can grow quite a few things in dappled sunlight, but if you have full shade, less is possible.

Tansy will grow in part shade. The curly variety might work out at the back of a rockery, but the plain tansy can grow as tall as six feet. The conditions you provide will affect the size of your plants as well, though.

I think most rock garden plants like sun, to be honest, but maybe some others will have better ideas. The Woodland Plants people might be able to help as well.
fatamorgana2121
14 years ago
Google - plants for dry shade

FataMorgana
shapiro
14 years ago
Wild ginger grows great in my Canadian garden! It is a really beautiful ground cover. The flowers are hidden right at ground level - they are small brown bells. I believe that ants are the pollinators. ONE question: has anyone every used this plant as a substitute for "real" ginger?
eibren
14 years ago
I've never grown it--I think I tried once, but it promptly died on me. I suspected lack of adequate moisture. Is it safe to use it as a culinary?

Cassie, another plant I thought of for part shade is Oregano. It is a fairly determined plant and will work with you. It's not invasive, but will produce enough extra shoots for use in spaghetti, etc; I have found it and thyme to be my most-appreciated herbs in the garden.
granite
14 years ago
sweet woodruff is great in shade
fatamorgana2121
14 years ago
Edibility of wild ginger (Asarum canadense)...according to Peterson's Edible Wild Plants, yes, as candy and seasoning. It says dried it can be substituted for commercial ginger.

I never suggest people harvest wild native plants, especially roots though. Too many native plants have vanished in too many areas. I'd just stick to commercial ginger for food use. It's cheap enough and you are not killing a native wildflower. If you grow it for your own use, that's another story.

FataMorgana

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