I have heard that, but have 2 gardens under ash trees in different parts of the yard, and the shade perennials are doing very well. The large one has tulips, daffodils, hosta, astilbe, geranium sanguineum, and many others: the other garden is just a ring around 1 tree with heuchera and brunnera. In both the perennials are flourishing. Are annuals just more sensitive to these tree competition-killing chemicals? As far as watering is concerned, I do water, but not heavily. The grade of one is terraced to catch the rain run off from a neighbors yard. I figure if hosta and ferns in one and heuchera in the other are doing well there must be enough moisture for most things. I can always spot water annuals if I put them in.

Mostly in the bronze leaf - 'Lady Frances' and 'Lady Carol' are two more double blooming semperflorens. Check out wax begonia Gum Drop series.

Too wet I would say. The mix they sit on, not in, should be barely damp. When the little eyes show, then youcan pot them a little deeper. But remember, they will not tolerate being watered when they haven't really started growth.Experience is a good teacher,.

As you may have seen in my other recent post, I was able to overwinter all of my inexpensive begonia pots! Yay! Here are pictures of a couple of them; I have them all tucked in corners over the yard. The Dragonwing begonias overwintered nicely, too. I cut all of them back very hard in mid-to-late March and by mid-April, they look amazing. I also made a new hanging basket for my front porch using my same cheap method: I purchased two 6-packs of Vinca minor (Periwinkle) at Walmart - one white, one pink - for $1.82 x 2 = $3.64 and filled a large hanging basket leftover from a prior year purchase for my front porch. Takes a little time and sweat but the price sure beats the $12-15 ready-to-gos. Can't get a picture today in all of the rain but will get one over the weekend and post it. Carol in Jacksonville