...full sun up to half shade; shade tolerance is greater than the literature indicates; plants under red maples made a respectable show although less dense and with decreased flowering compared to plants in full sun. Dirr, Manual of Woody Landscape Plants. I'd have to consider under red maples a pretty tough planting location regardless of the amount of sunlight.....no doubt lack of moisture and nutrients from root competition would play a factor as well. 4-6 hours of direct sunlight without the influence of a red maple canopy should be more than adequate. I think 'Kaleidoscope' could work well in the location you describe, with adequate watering. Heat and humidity do not appear to be a limiting factor for this plant, as many of the popular cultivars, including several of the variegated forms, were developed in nurseries located in the south (Alabama and NC).

Hi Rhoni Ann, Lots of people are painting red/orangey-red brick homes nowadays. If you're a fan of the Fixer-Upper TV show on HGTV, you've probably noticed that Chip and Joanna Gaines have totally transformed the exterior of many brick homes by painting that red/red-orange brick in all sorts of lovely shades of gray, creamy white or beige. After they add new trim and sometimes shutters and window boxes (depending on the style of the home and the look they're going for), along with new landscaping, those homes look just as transformed on the exterior as they are on the interior. Keep in mind that once you paint your brick, assuming you are going with a lighter color, it will reflect heat and light, but I have found there are lots of plants which grow well on the hotter west and south sides of homes that what a person might expect. First of all, if you will amend your clay with compost or some other organic material before you plant, then your plants will do so much better that it will blow your mind and you won't have to water nearly as much. We have dense, thick red clay (the kind you could use to make clay pots) that had zero organic matter when I tested it when we moved here in 1999. When they dug the holes for our percolation test for our septic system when we built our house, most all of the water remained in the holes after 24-hours, which explains why we have a lagoon instead of leach lines. Along our south and west facing walls, cannas have done really well in only lightly amended clay. If you plant the tall ones that get 4-7' tall, they will form their own mini-wall along the bring wall, and they don't really mind the heat as long as you water them occasionally in summer. They die back in winter, but you can cut off the ugly dead foliage at the ground so you don't have to look at it all winter long. Cannas are very strong, resilient plants, fitting into my favorite category of plants that I describe in this manner: they won't die and you can't kill them. In front of those taller cannas, you could the short, compact evergreen shrubs of your choice so you'd have something green there year-round. Some of the shorter varieties of hollies would work, and hollies come with many different leaf shapes from the very small leaves of yaupon hollies to the larger leaves of other forms of holly. If you don't want evergreen shrubs on the west side of the house, you could plant daylilies, lantana, gomprena (aka globe amaranth), zinnias, cosmos and some perennial members of the salvia family. All of these do well in well-amended, well-draining soil and only need moderate amounts of water in summer as long as they are well mulched. Or, you could plant ground cover type plants that thrive in full sun. Purple wintercreeper is a lovely greenish groundcover that is low maintenance. We just cut ours back to the ground with the string trimmer once or twice a year. It turns purplish-green in the cold season. Its flowers are not very obvious but then they give you lovely little berries. Hollies, by the way, are one of my favorite plants for clay soil because once they are established many of them are really drought-tolerant as well as heat-tolerant. If you like crape myrtles they are very heat-tolerant and come in all sorts of sizes, from more tree-like forms that can attain 20-40' Crape Myrtle Trails--Varietiesin height to weeping forms only a couple of feet tall. Be sure to purchase named crape myrtles varieties so you can Google those varieties before you buy to ensure you're getting the right size for your area. Sometimes the ones sold at places like Wal-Mart don't give a variety name on the tag, so you have no idea what you're getting. There's nothing worse than planting a big variety of crape myrtle in an area that is only appropriate for a small to medium sized one because you'll spend tons of time trying to prune back the big one to keep it small enough. Depending on the color you ultimately choose to paint your brick, you might like some of the Black Diamond series of crape myrtles with their purplish-black foliage. They would look striking against a lighter colored wall and they don't get too large. To give you an idea of the many kinds of crape myrtles available, I'm going to link the page of the Crape Myrtle Trails of McKinney, TX, which is my favorite website for Crape Myrtle information. I haven't tried Rose of Sharon on the west side of the house, but it probably would be alright. I have several kinds of hardy hibiscus in the border around our large veggie garden and they are both heat tolerant and drought tolerant. They are growing in heavily amended clay in raised beds, but there's a couple of smaller ones at the lower north end of our heavily sloping garden and they are equally heat and drought tolerant, growing at grade level in soil only lightly amended. Another perennial flower (often considered a reseeding annual, but perennial in my garden) that doesn't mind the west side of a building is tall verbena, Verbena bonariensis. It is one of the most heat-tolerant and drought-tolerant plants I've ever grown and is a real butterfly magnet. I use lots of autumn sage (Salvia greggii) plants as they tolerate heat and plentiful sunshine. They are perennials and are semi-evergreen. Sometimes they bloom on and off throughout the winter here in zone 7b. I just shear them back pretty hard right before new growth begins in early Spring to keep them more compact and more manageable. There's tons of options for the west side of a house. Just avoid things like hydrangeas that must have afternoon shade in our climate and avoid plants that need perfect drainage. Good luck, and if you have more questions, I hope you'll ask them. Also, watch for the Master Gardener's plant sale in your county, which has a very active MG group that puts on a great plant sale in the Spring. This year's plant sale is May 11th. More info about it can be found on the website linked below. Pottawatomie County Extension Service Webpage The Master Gardeners have a display garden at the ag extension building and you might visit it to get some ideas. Dawn

Matt, This is a very old thread, so I don’t know how much activity you’ll get. As I read the original list, I was pessimistic about how several of the plants listed would perform in complete shade. Certainly Dicentra species do well in full shade, though they bloom early, before leaves of shade trees have fully developed. I think many heuchera varieties do well in complete shade. Wild geranium will grow in full shade, though might not bloom as profusely as in sunnier spots. I don’t know how attracted hummingbirds are to hostas, but they will certainly bloom in full shade. Foxglove, columbine, and various lilies are also excellent options. I am sure there are more. I recommend visiting online retailers of native plants and searching specifically shade perennials. Oh, fuschia are annuals, but do well in shade and are incomparable for attracting hummingbirds. My mother has one hanging on her shady porch every year, and hummingbirds visit daily. Martha

A thread titled "Most Fragrants that Waft" began in March of 2000 as a request for a list of fragrant plants that "drift or waft on the air". After reaching the maximum 100 posts, the thread eventually expired due to inactivity. Not surprisingly, after the first post expired, the subject surfaced again in the post "Fragrants that Waft". The original post, "Most Fragrants that Waft", was saved and was kindly provided by yeona_sky. The following list was compiled by Clare_CA from the original "Most Fragrants that Waft" and the later post "Fragrants that Waft". Abelia trilora Abeliophyllum distichum, White Forsythia Aglaia odorata Aloysia virgatas, Sweet Almond Amaryllis belladonna, Pink Naked Ladies Asclepias incarnata, Swamp Milkweed Azara microphylla Beaumontia grandiflora, Easter Lily Vine Boronia Boronia megastigma, Brown Boronia Bouvardia longiflora Brassavola nodosa, Lady-of-the-Night Orchid Brugmansias Brunfelsia jamaicensis (Lady of the Night, Family: Solanaceae) Buddleia asiatica Buddleia davidii Calycanthus floridus, Carolina allspice or sweetshrub Cananga odorata, Perfume tree Cardiocrinum giganteum, Giant lily Cestrum diurnum Cestrum nocturnum (Night blooming jasmine, Queen of the Night, Night Jessamine, Lady of the Night, Family: Solanaceae) Cheiranthus allionii, Wallflower Chimonanthus praecox, Wintersweet Choisya ternata, Mexican orange blossom Cimicifuga 'Hillside Black Beauty' Citrus Clematis Montana Clematis terniflora, Sweet Autumn Clematis (Family: Ranunculaceae) Clerodendrum bungei (Cashmere (Cashmir) bouquet, Glory Bower, Family: Verbenaceae) Clerodendrum minahasse (Fountain Clerodendrum, Clerodendron, Tube flower, Family: Verbenaceae) Clerodendrum philippinum Schau, C. fragrans pleniflorum, c. chinense (Chinese Glory Bower, Cashmere bouqet, Scent Malli, False Pikake, Glory Tree, Family: Verbenaceae) Clerodendrum trichotomum, (Harlequin Glory, Family: Verbenaceae) Clethra alnifolia, Sweet Pepperbush or Summersweet Clethra 'Ruby Spice' Clidanthus fragrans, Fragrant amaryllis Coffea arabica, C. robusta (Coffee, Family: Rubiaceae) Coleonema pulchrum, Pink Breath of Heaven Convallaria majalis, Lily-of-the-Valley Crinum moorei Crinum odorata, Swamp lily Crinum powellii Daphne bholua Daphne 'Carol Mackie' Daphne odora Daphne x burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie' and 'Somerset' Daphnes Datura inoxia Datura metel Datura wrightii Dianthus Barbatus, Sweet William Dianthus gratianopolitanus Dianthus 'Rainbow Loveliness’ Dioscorea batatas, Cinnamon Vine Dracaena fragans Eupatorium ligustrinum Freesia Gardenia Augusta (Bush Gardenia, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia brighamii (Native Hawaiian Gardenia Nau, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia Four Seasons (Gardenia Four Seasons, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia Jasminoides (Cape jasmine, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia jasminoides 'White Gem' (White Gem, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia Radicans (Dwarf Gardenia Radicans, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia taitensis Star of Tahiti (Tahiti Gardenia, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia taitensis Tiare Tahiti (Tahiti Gardenia, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia thunbergium (white gardenia, forest gardenia, wild gardenia, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia Tubifera Kula (Golden Gardenia, Family: Rubiaceae) Gardenia Vietnamensis (Vietnamese Gardenia, Family: Rubiaceae) Genista fragrans, Sweet Broom, aka Cytisus spachianus Gladiolus callianthus, Acidantheras, Peacock Orchids Gleditsia triacanthos f. inermis, Thornless Honey Locust Hedychium coronaria, common white ginger Hedychium coronarium Hedychium coronarium var. chrysoleum 'Yellow Spot', Ginger lily Hedychium flavescens Hedychium flavum Hedychium gardnerianum, Ginger Lily Helichrysum, Licorice Plant Heliotropium arborescens, Heliotrope Hemerocallis lilioasphodelus (species daylily) Hemerocallis, Daylilies highly fragrant daylilies: ‘Audacity Bound’, ‘Barbara Mitchell’, ‘Buried Treasure’, ‘Catherine Woodbury’, ‘Chorus Line’, ‘Citrina’, ‘Earth Angel’, ‘Elegant Candy’, ‘Ellen Christine’, ‘Evening Bell’, ‘Ever So Ruffled’, ‘Forty Carats’, ‘Fragrant Light’, ‘Frosted Pink Ice’, ‘Frozen Jade’, ‘Gingham Maid’, ‘Golden Scroll’, ‘Graceland’, ‘Hudson Valley’, ‘Hyperion’, ‘Ida Miles’, ‘Ice Carnival’, ‘Kathy Rood’, ‘Lemon Lollypop’, ‘Night Beacon’, ‘Pasta’, ‘Raspberry Candy’, ‘Scape Stopper’, ‘Siloam Double Classic’, ‘Siloam Mamma’, ‘Siloam Spizz’, ‘Smoky Mountain Autumn’, ‘Sweet Shalimar’, ‘Tender Love’, ‘Tetrina’s Daughter’, ‘Top Honors’, ‘Traylyta’, ‘Vanilla Fluff’, ‘Willard Gardner’ Hesperis matronalis, Dame's Rocket, Dame's Violet, Mother of the Evening, Sweet Rocket Holarrhena densiflora, Jasmine Tree Hosta 'Fragrant Bouquet' Hosta 'Guacamole' Hosta plantaginea Hyacinthus, Hyacinths Hymenocallis species, Peruvian daffodil Hymensporum flavum, Sweet Shade tree Illicium Floridanum Ipomoea alba, Moonflowers Iris - Highly fragrant bearded irises include 'Dark Passion', 'Fort Apache', 'Last Chance', 'Mary Frances', 'Old Black Magic', 'Pacific Mist', 'Scented Bubbles', 'Stepping Out', 'Thriller', and 'Sweet Lena' Jasminum Jasminum angulare (South African Jasmine, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum azoricum, Jasminum trifoliatum Moench, J. bahiense, J. blandum, J. fluminense, J hildebrandtii, J. holstii (River Jasmine, Scrambling Vine, J. De Trapo, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum dichotomum (Gold Coast Jasmine, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum humile, J. grandiflorum (Italian Jasmine, Family: Oleaceae.) Jasminum mesnyi, J. primulinum (Japanese Jasmine, Primrose J., Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum Molle (Jasminum Molle, Indian Jui, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum nitidum, J. magnificum, J. illicifolium (Star Jasmine, Angelwing J., Shining J., Windmill J., Royal J., Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum officinale grandiflorum, J. viminale, J. vulgatum, J. Affine (True jasmine, Common jasmine, French Perfume Jasmine, Poet's jasmine, Catalonian J., Spanish J., Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum parkeri (Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum polyanthum, J. blinii, J. delafieldii (Pink jasmine, Winter Jasmine, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum pubescens , J. multiflorum, J. gracillimum (Downy Jasmine, Angel Hair Jasmine, Star Jasmine, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum sambac, J. fragrans, J. undulatum, Mogori Sambac, Mogori undulata, Nyctanthes sambac (Arabian Jasmine, J. Grand Duke Of Tuscany, Butt Mograw, Belle of India, Maid of Orleans, Hawaiian Pikake, Sampaguitas, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum stephanense (Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum tortuosum (African Jasmine, Perfume jasmine, Family: Oleaceae) Jasminum volubile, J. simplicifolium (Wax Jasmine, Family: ) Lathyrus odoratus, sweet peas Lavandula, Lavender Ligustrum japonicum, Japanese Privet, Wax Leaf Privet Lillium "Le Reve" Lobularia maritima, Sweet Alyssum Lonicera fragrantissima, Winter Honeysuckle Lonicera heckrottii (Honeysuckle, Family: Caprifoliaceae) Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle, Halls honeysuckle, Family: Caprifoliaceae) Luculia intermedia Luculia pinceana Magnolia (Family: Magnoliaceae) Magnolia grandiflora Magnolia hypoleuca Magnolia stellata Magnolia virginiana, Sweet Bay Magnolia Magnolia x wieseneri Malcolmia maritima, Virginian stock Matthiola bicornis. Night-scented Stock Matthiola incana, Stock Matthiola longipetala, Evening-scented stock Melilotus alba, Wild Clover Michelia champaca Michelia coco Michelia doltsopa Michelia figo Michelia x alba Mirabilis jalapa (Four o'clocks, Family: Nyctaginaceae) Murraya exotica Mini (Miniature Orange jasmine, Family: Rutaceae) Murraya paniculata (Orange Jasmine, O. Jessamine, Mock Orange, Lakeview jasmine, Family: Rutaceae) Narcissus bulbs Narcissus, Daffodils Nicotiana alata, Jasmine Tobacco, flowering tobacco Nicotiana sylvestris, Woodland Tobacco Nicotiana x sanderae, Flowering Tobacco Osmanthus fragrans, Sweet Olive Passiflora belotii, Passiflora Alatocaerulea, Passionflower Peonies Petunias Philadelphus, Mock Orange Phlox divaricata, Woodland Phlox Phlox stolonifera, Creeping Phlox Pieris x 'Spring Snow' Pittosporum tobira, Mock Orange Pittosporum undulatum, Victorian Box Plumeria, Frangipani Polianthes tuberosa, Tuberose Primula florindae, Tibetan Primrose Prunus mume, Japanese Apricots Quisqualia indica, Rangoon Creeper Reseda odorata, Mignonette Rhododendron atlanticum Rhododendron 'Dexter Spice' Rhododendron fragrantissimum Rhododendron occidentale, Western Azalea Rhododendron veitchianum 'Ashacombe' Ribes Odoratum, Clove Currant, Golden Currant Ribes Viburnifolium, Catalina Perfume Rose, Blanc Double de Coubert rugosa Rose, Double Delight - Hybrid Tea Rose (pretty colors) Rose, Fragrant Cloud - Hybrid Tea Rose Rose, Hansa - Rugosa Rose Rose, Madame Isaac Pereire - Antique Rose Rose, Mister Lincoln - Hybrid Tea Rose, Prospero, Golden Celebration, ‘The Prince’, ‘Fair Bianca’ - David Austin Roses Rose, Scentimental - Hybrid Tea Rose, Sombreuil, climbing antique. Rose, Sweet Chariot - miniature "hanging basket" rose Rose, Tiffany - Hybrid Tea Rose Salvia clevelandii, Cleveland Sage Sansevierias Saponaria officinalis, Soapwart, Bouncing Bet, Fuller's-herb, Lady's-washbowl, Latherwort, Old-maid's-pink Sarcococca Hookeriana Humilis Stephanotis floribunda (Bridal Bouquet, Family: Asclepiadaceae) Styrax japonicus Syringa microphylla 'Superba,' Minature lilac Syringa vulgaris, Lilacs Tilia cordata, Linden Trees Trachelospermum asiaticum, Asian Jasmine, Yellow star jasmine (Family: Apocynaceae) Trachelospermum Jasminoides, Confederate Jasmine, Star Jasmine (Family: Apocynaceae) Valerian officianalis Viburnum carlesii Viburnum farreri Viburnum odoratissimum Viburnum x bodnantense 'Pink Dawn' Viburnum x burkwoodii Viburnum x carlcephalum Viburnum x judii Viburnums Viola odorata, Sweet Violet Weigela florida 'Variegata nana' Wisterias Zaluzianskya ovata, Night phlox