shade, no sun.

Discussion in 'Garden Design and Plant Suggestions' started by maddar, Apr 30, 2008.

  1. maddar

    maddar Member

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    Hiya everyone!
    I searched the site using key words for "shade loving plants" but didn't find a thread on these types of plants. I am sure there is some or at least one but if not, I have an area in front that gets virtually no sun...light but not sun. I thought to put pavers in but that would be a lot of work and money. Is there a shade loving fast growing low lying cover or plant I can use. Thanks!
    Oh by the by, I am on the upper end of the Sunshine Coast here in B.C.
     
  2. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

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    hosta, ferns, astilbe, lily of the valley, heuchera, bleeding heart, helleborus, phlox, some iris, some lily, corydalis, monkshood, jack-in-a-pulpit, some ginger, lamium, snakeroot, foxglove.
     
  3. maddar

    maddar Member

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    Thanks so much for replying so soon! I would very much like to put hosta's there as they are such a lovely plant but because of being here on the coast of B.C. it means slugs find them lovely too and can strip many plants over the course of an evening. Ferns are in abundance here so I could utilise them for sure and I don't think slugs eat them so that is a bonus. Some of the others you have mentioned I know of but others I don't so I will go on a bit of a search for them. Thanks again!!
     
  4. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

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    we have slugs here, too. although i don't have any hosta (not enough shade), i do have iris and they like them. so far it hasn't been bad enough for me to actually take measures against them...

    there are some simple ways of keeping slugs in check. being near the ocean, you can easily get a bunch of shells - just break them up into small pieces and put that down on top of the soil (encircling the plants)...egg shells also work. the jagged edges make it too difficult for the slugs to move over. you could also put the hosta in pots, maybe.

    if you're interested in ferns (not everyone likes them) i'd recommend 'japanese painted fern' there are a couple different varieties and all are striking. cinnamon fern is one that's interesting looking.

    you could also do hydrangea (if it's hardy in your zone). they love shade - also like moist conditions, so, if the area stays moistish (i know, that's not a word! lol) you might want to think about that, too.
     
  5. maddar

    maddar Member

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    Slugs live wherever there is vegetation I guess. We get those huge banana slugs here and one can strip and demolish a plant in a matter of hours. I never thought of putting shells down so thanks for that idea. I have put down ashes from my fire place but that only works so well for so long, in other words, until the rains come and that is quite often here.
    I am liking the ferns the best. I do have a hydrangea but I think it might be too late in the season to move it now even though it is fairly small.
    I will be going to a few gardening centres tomorrow so I'll watch for the types you have mentioned. You've been helpful and have given me some ideas. Thanks!
     
  6. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

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    you're quite welcome!!

    it's just under the cut-off if you want to move the hydrangea...

    whenever you decide to move it, prepare the new spot first, then dig it up and replant as quickly as possible. best to do it in the morning and an overcast day is big plus. get as much of the rootball as you can and expect it to mope for quite a while - that is completely normal when moving hydrangea.
     
  7. maddar

    maddar Member

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    Well today would be a perfect day for such a move. I will consider this! Thank you so much, you have been a big help.
     
  8. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

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    maddar, please see this thread for some plants available for free from another member who lives in your general area.
     
  9. maddar

    maddar Member

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    Oh dear, she is two ferry rides away. That would make for some pretty expensive plants for me to retrieve given ferry rides and drive would be well over 100+ dollars. Thanks for this though. ;-)
    I moved my hydrangea and it looks fine and sits in the spot perfectly. Off to find some ferns now.
     
  10. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

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    what about sending them through the post? we do that down here all the time!
     
  11. maddar

    maddar Member

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    Good thought but as luck would have it, my neighbor stopped by this afternoon and gave me some plants to fill in the bare spots. A very pretty fern is in the mix. Once it is established I will post a pic. It looks like it's going to be a beauty. As well she brought some lily of the valley plants and others which I am not familiar with but will find out through some searching.:-)
     
  12. joclyn

    joclyn Rising Contributor

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    oh, wonderful!!! it's nice when the neighbors are helpful like that!! can't wait to see the pics!
     

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