recommended plants for heavy, heavy shade in Zone 7
tlacuache
15 years ago
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Donna
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoRelated Discussions
Mamas4boys - Butterfly plant suggestions for zone7b - photo heavy
Comments (1)Hello, Just wanted to butt in and say that I have plenty of seeds for the orange milkweed or butterflyweed, and I have lots of seed pods forming as we speak. I also have many volunteer baby Rue plants that could probably be mailed in a pinch. I haven't checked for seeds of the Rue, because I have so much already growing. Unfortunately, I have yet to see any Giant Swallowtail action, despite having every host plant it is known to frequent. I also have seeds for two other varieties of milkweed, A. incarnata (swamp) and one called "Red" by Seed Saver's Exchange. If you're looking for seeds, try the wintersowing forum--also an excellent way to get multiple plants started inexpensively and very reliably. I could certainly send you a care package to get you started. Let me know. Martha...See MoreEvergreens that grow in shade/heavy shade??
Comments (4)How about a mix of magnolia grandiflora, ilex opaca or 'Savannah Holly' which is an evergreen hybrid of i. opaca and i. cassine, eastern red cedar, and whatever pines do well in your area? Sherry...See MoreHeavy shade, raised bed, shallow soil ideas?
Comments (2)Is that too shallow for shrubs dwarf yew? Ours stay green. Pachysandra would look good in winter. Google image the geranium macrorhizum in winter too see it does change and look a bit burgundy and dried up in winter....See MorePlants for heavy clay soil in the shade
Comments (10)I'm not sure you are all that limited by plant choices. Clay is really not as much of a hindrance to plant establishment as many folks think. The only real caveat is to dig a wide, shallow planing hole and plant high, bringing the soil upto the crown of the plant in a small mound. I would encourage you to do as much amending/improving the soil as possible while it is cleared before planting. So much easier to do what you can to change soil conditions while the area is empty than after the fact. I'd bring as much compost or other organic matter as I could and work it in as best you can. You can also bring in just decent garden soil (check out bulk soil suppliers for this and the compost) and raise up the planting area. FWIW, plants with purplish foliage tend not to hold that color well in much shade. And plants with that coloring also tend to disappear in shade. Try things with yellow or gold foliage or variegated leaves. They really pop in shade and seem to glow. I am not all that familiar with works in z5 so check to see if these are hardy for you: hostas - a given!! epimediums heucheras, heucherellas and tiarellas Aralia 'Sun King' Pieris 'Little Heath' Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate' or 'Blue and Gold' Kerria japonica 'Pleniflora' Aucuba japonica 'Variegata' or 'Mr. Gold Strike' Hydrangea serrata 'Golden Sunlight' Hydrangea quercifolia 'Little Honey' Saxifraga x urbium 'Variegata' (nice groundcover) Lamuim maculatum 'Anne Greenaway' (another excellent groundcover) Carex morrowii 'Aureovariegata' Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' or 'All Gold' Dicentra spectabilis 'Goldheart' and of course ferns - Japanese painted fern or 'Ghost" fern will add color as well....See Moretlacuache
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoIris GW
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agobubba62
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojeff_al
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoncdirtdigger
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agojessicabykn
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agobirdannelady
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agotlacuache
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agobirdannelady
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agomaewest
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agotinapbeana
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agopinkspoonbill
15 years agolast modified: 9 years agoIris GW
15 years agolast modified: 9 years ago6th_street_depot
8 years agokinlaw (Zone 7b/8a, GA)
8 years agoBrooke Neugebauer
2 years ago
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