So happy to find this webpage and this forum! I am an avid balcony gardener of 5 years, and have the same challenges with sun/shade. We are East facing, however, one the walnut trees are in full bloom, our sun is also limited. I am happy to hear that Monardas do well, in this type of location. I concur, that Impatiens, Hostas, and Ivy will do well. I have all these things. Question: Can I separate Varigated Hostas in the Spring, or must I wait until Fall? Also, I have little luck with starting new English Ivy cuttings. I root them in water, and when the roots are well established, plant them in a light mix. They are okay for a while, then just shrivel up. I also use rooting hormone. Morning glories do okay, but once the shade comes in, any new growth stays small e.g. leaves. More suggestions would be great! Lavender Canadian

Mine is growing on the NE corner of my screen porch so some shade. It started out of a 3" pot and now is a 12' 4 headed monster. It is next a water barrel and gets lots of water. It has been a no maintenance plant. It bloomed for the first in 25 years after the extreme winter we had 2 years ago.

It sounds like your options are pretty limited. Fast growing trees are going to get really big. Most fast growing trees also end up being weak-wooded and short lived. 'Green Giant' thujas grow quickly and have far few problems than Leyland cypresses (which I would definitely NOT recommend), but the Green Giants are going to get pretty large eventually (and very possibly much larger than you'd want). You may want to consider a vine-covered fence or even a hardy type of bamboo with a root barrier.

These are great suggestions, thank you! I think I will try at least one. Why not, since they are free and I'm not in dire need of them elsewhere. Yes, the apple tree roots make life tough for plants in this area. Digging is not so hard, but it sure does look like the life is sucked out of some of the residents. I have soaker hoses in there and I keep it moist, but things are still not happy. I'm trying an experiment with a few plants. I'm planting them in a generously-sized pot, then nesting that pot inside another of the same size, but with a piece of screen in between. I'm figuring that the screen will limit tree roots coming up into the pot, and with two pots I can take out the upper pot from time to time and break off any roots that have come in. I love the plant suggestions. A few were on my list (astrantia, geranium, dicentra 'Luxuriant') but now you've given me several more to think about. Thank you! The spot is currently populated by volunteer columbine and lupine and looks stunning in the spring. But by late summer it's dreary. It's especially dreary now, since I took out all the plants that were too eaten and too shady. So, it's pretty much a blank slate now. Photo: Thanks again! Further ideas are totally welcome!