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Perennials & Annuals - Australia

Pretty flowers?

19 years ago

Hi all,

I have another question.

I am new to the gardening scene, and i have an area which i would like to plant a heap of pretty flowers (which hopefully would bloom for longer than 2 weeks!). Space is not a problem, but the problem is that the designated spot is very damp (wet!) most of the year, shaded all the time and basically in the middle of the Tasmanian bush (and no, i can't change these circumstances!). I want to plant a lovely bush/flowers on either side of the gate as i enter my property. Any ideas would be excitedely received!

Cheers

Lyn

p.s

I planted a few bulbs of daffodils in this spot about 2 years ago when we first moved to the property, but alas, all i get is green stems with no flowers? Obviously didn't like the spot!

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Comments (4)

sunflower_sharon
19 years ago
I had love in the mist in a slightly damp spot in Launceston and they self seeded. May not work if too damp. May be worth a packet to see how you go. Sorry not to be more help.
nettlerose
19 years ago
There are a group of Irises - Louisiana Irises I think they are called that love wet feet.
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Barb, for looking and for your comments! Jim, for several years I've had the ground orchid, Bletilla striata, growing mostly in the shade with just a little dappled sunlight. I seem to remember that it took a couple of years for it to bloom after planting. So probably yours just needs to get established to bloom. The only 'problem' it seems to have is emerging so early in the year, about Feb. as I recall, that frosts tend to nip the tops of the foliage if I don't get out there and cover it. This doesn't leave it looking so good the rest of the year, but you probably won't have that problem in your zone, since it hasn't happened in the warmer winters we've had here the last couple of years. I did a little research just now and found that the variety pictured above is Spathoglottis plicata. I'm excited about it because several links say it blooms throughout the year while the beautiful Bletilla striata pictured below blooms only in the spring. However, since I divided the clump into about ten plants I'm pretty sure it won't bloom again this year and just might not bloom next year either. As mentioned above Spathoglottis plicata was purchased at Home Depot. I read online this morning that someone had gotten it at Lowes on 2007. So those two places might be where to watch for them next spring if anyone wants one. Here is a link that might be useful: Ground orchid, Spathoglottis plicata
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vetivert8
19 years ago
Shaded all the time...

Have a look around for Saxifraga wada. There are several sorts. They have dark leaves and small autumn flowers which are attractive.

On the edge of the 'wet' zone you could plant Iris gracilipes, which is a little woodlander that flowers in spring. Likes a topdressing of humus in autumn.

Corydalis - the blues and creams. They need a bit of sun - dappled or direct for some time in the day. Spring flowering.

Hostas - plantaginea has scented flowers and sieboldiana has huge bluish leaves. You can do dramatic things with them. Summer to autumn flowering and leaves.

Colocasia and Alocasia aka elephant's ear - they die away for winter but will be back in spring. Huge and lush but flowers aren't much.

Natives - Dianella? Some of the ferns - especially the filmies (yum!) Some of the orchids?

If you're feeling brave - the big 'Green Goddess' Zantedeschia. But they can be weedy...

Impatiens, although they do like a bit of sun to do well. Also Anchusa (mind the bristles) and some of the asiatic lilies. Astrantia and Tolmeia. Begonias. Clivia-go for little plants and feed them up if they cost hideous sums. And you might want to check out some of the bromelliads with brightly coloured leaves as well as flowers.

If you have some 'light wells' in the canopy you can probably do a bit more for a few years, until they fill in again.

For the really damp part - a 'zen' type garden with lovely rocks and mosses/ferns? Not flowers, I know.

For bulbs, the Earlicheer narcissus are pretty water tolerant, but they will need light - at least six hours a day.
Sparaxis
19 years ago
Certainly don't try and grow Louisianna irises in Tasmania - too cold. You will get plenty of leaf growth, but not much in the way of flowers.

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