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Landscape Design California Gardening garden

Shrub for winter shade/summer sun

5 years ago

We have a problem area in our back yard. From June-September, it gets blasted with hot afternoon 6+ hours of sun. From about October-May, it's in the shade. Any suggestions for shrubs or perennials that might work? Here's what's died after the winter:

Penstamon - thrived until December, then died

Bougainvillea - lived, but was super leggy by April

Lantana - thrived in summer, but by April, seemed like it was dying

escallonia - not dead, still has green leaves, but no flowers and not really growing

The only thing that has flourished is morning glory, but we do not want that herbal cockroach back! Lol!

So clearly, anything that flowers won't work. We're in Zone 10a, between inland and coastal SoCal. The spot isn't huge -- like to keep anything planted smaller than 4 ft wide/6 ft tall, but larger than 3 feet tall if possible.

Maybe flax? Dunno.

Thanks for any suggestions!

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Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
5 years ago
"So clearly, anything that flowers won't work. "

I'm not sure why you would say that. Any deciduous shrub is fine in winter shade (no leaves so no need for sun for good photosynthesis) but should bloom well in summer sun if that is its preference. And a fair number of BLE's should work as well.

I'd visit a local independent garden center or nursery (not box store) and see what they have that fits your requirements. You should have quite a bit to choose from.
vp_78 thanked gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
BlueSky Susan (10b-24)
5 years ago
I have some Sweet Lavender bushes that get zero sun in winter, and partial sun in summer, and they're happy. Some others (same type) in a different spot get full sun in summer and partial sun in winter and they're fine too. They are about 3' tall and 5' in diameter, not including the 2' flower stalks, and are a nice green green (not grey green like most lavender).

Or maybe, Sweet Pea Shrub? (Petite Butterflies seems to be about the right size you're looking for). They grow quite well in a variety of situations in my neighborhood (Westchester, so a little more coastal than you).

Some Ceanothus varieties might work in that spot too, if you find the types that can tolerate the shade. I have a Ray Hartman growing happily in almost full shade, but that's too large for your spot. I seem to remember there are quite a few that can handle shade - there's a chart out there on the internet somewhere that listed them by light requirement.
vp_78 thanked BlueSky Susan (10b-24)
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Our backyard faces north. It gets summer sun until about 1pm, and bright shade all winter (except for a speckle of early-morning sunlight during sunrise). In spite of several hours of summer sun, I would not call it a place for "sun plants", but rather part sun or morning sun. In this spot, we grow: Hydrangea, Columbine, Salvia regla, Plectranthus 'Mona Lavender', Eranthemum (shrub with turquoise-blue flowers), Clivia, and Liriope. Other plants that would like this spot include some Geraniums and Pelargoniums, some Salvias, some Mimulus. If a plant is labeled for "part sun" and can tolerate shade, it could go in this spot. Personally, I would not try plants that love "full hot sun", but my tolerance for failures and having to move things around is not very high. :-) The Salvia regla was an experiment in this spot. I stuck a broken stem in the ground, it rooted, and grew into a beautiful specimen that reaches our roof line. It is spectacular in bloom (summer), and tolerates our heavy clay soil in bright winter shade. The foliage might be more dense in full sun but it has done well in this spot for several years. Look for plants that like morning sun; it may take some experimentation to see what works and what doesn't, and you may be pleasantly surprised at how much you can grow there.
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Flores Artscape
5 years ago
Have you considered going in a different direction? Like possibly a fence or even a canvas-backed trellis?
vp_78 thanked Flores Artscape
JXBrown (Sunset 24, N San Diego County)
5 years ago
By "died after the winter" do you mean perennials that died after this recent, very wet winter? If so, that suggests a drainage issue. Penstemon is picky, but the others are pretty sturdy. A picture of the site might help. What plants do you see thriving in your neighborhood? They might be good choices. We can help you identify them.

Rosemary, Westringia, breath of heaven, Knockout roses, Kaleidoscope Abelia, bigger Abelia, Raphiolepsis, Pittosporum, fortnight lilies, society garlic, and star jasmine are some other sturdy landscape plants that are commonly planted around San Diego.
vp_78 thanked JXBrown (Sunset 24, N San Diego County)
chloebud
5 years ago
Good suggestion from gardengal to check with an independent nursery. We had to do that yesterday, and the help we received was much appreciated.

gardengal, we went to the nursery regarding the question I posted here about watering after the rains and brown leaves on Pittosporum. We took some leaves with us, and they told us it was the dieback you mentioned. Just wanted to say thanks! :-)
vp_78 thanked chloebud

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