Garden Plants Questions About Shade Garden Plants

landscapeliving answers:

I also live in northern VA and have had the best of luck with impatients , all varieties...they have even lasted into November! I also have had luck with begonias and as you mentioned the hostas...they have done quite well in my yard. I have had some success with marigolds as well...sometimes you have to experiment with different plant to see what will do well in your yard.

landscapeliving answers:

Here are just a few suggestions:

Coleus-has lots of different foliage colors

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Fuchsia-lots of choices

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Ferns
Vinca minor (periwinkle)-a few options

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea' (creeping Jenny, moneywort)-to trail with gold leaves

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Bacopa/Sutera-ground cover, available with white, pink, lavender or blue flowers

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Lobelia-provides an abundance of flowers, annual and perennial varieties; ground cover or upright plants

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Impatiens-lots to choose from

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Dicentra (bleeding heart)

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0S0201EIkRI3ZYAOPGJzbkF?p=dicentra&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=utf-8&js=1&x=wrt

Polemonium (Jacob's ladder)-get the variegated kinds, so pretty!

Http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0S0207LIkRIkOoA5ZiJzbkF?p=polemonium&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=utf-8&js=1&x=wrt

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0S020rYIkRIzhcAh1qJzbkF?p=polemonium+brise&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=utf-8&js=1&x=wrt

Corydalis-so pretty ususally you find the blue and yellow kinds

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0S020nzIkRItWQBYhmJzbkF?p=corydalis&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=utf-8&js=1&x=wrt

Heuchera (coral bells)-lots of foliage colors to choose from

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Tiarella (foam flower)-a few choices

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=tiarella&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8

Heucherella (foamy bells)-a cross of Heuchera and Tiarella

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0S020mdIERI92IBGBOJzbkF?p=heucherella&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=utf-8&js=1&x=wrt

Lamium maculatum (dead nettle)-to allow to trail

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Torenia (wishbone flower)-pretty

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Begonia-lots of choices

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Hedera (ivy)-good for filler, be sure to get non-invasive kind!
Campanula (bell flower)-lots to choose from

http://www.wildgingerfarm.com/Campanula....

Some Ornamental grasses will do well
Erodium (heron's bill)

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Geranium (crane's bill) - true geraniums

http://www.daytonnursery.com/Encyclopedi...

Pelargonium peltatum (ivy geranium)

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Pelargonium x hortorum - fancy leaf types

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Viola and pansy
Pulmonaria (lungwort)

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Digitalis (foxglove)

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Helleborus (lenten rose)

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Trollius (globeflower)

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...

Abutilon (flowering maple)-lots of options

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0S020q.IERIJBkAQguJzbkF?p=abutilon&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=utf-8&js=1&x=wrt

Hydrangea-lots!

Http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0S020sVIURIWCkBZXyJzbkF?p=hydrangea&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=utf-8&js=1&x=wrt

Ceratostigma (leadwort)-great blue flowers!

Http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=ceratostigma&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8

Sambucus-nice lacy foliage, look for purple leaf varieties or gold ones!

Http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0S020qoIURIoBcAdaKJzbkF?p=sambucus&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=utf-8&js=1&x=wrt

Viburnum (snowball bush)-can't beat them in full bloom

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0S0204AIkRIzuYA_aqJzbkF?p=viburnum&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=utf-8&js=1&x=wrt

Thalictrum (meadow rue)-nice dainty flowers

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;_ylt=A0S02079IkRItOgA2zqJzbkF?p=thalictrum&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=utf-8&js=1&x=wrt

Acer (Japanese maples)-many to choose from!

You will want to double check with a good local nursery to see if these are good in your area. You can also add a few mixed containers on different height levels to add instant color and pop. I change mine up about every 3 months so that they are fresh and providing the bulk of "color" in the shady areas. These can be assorted shade annuals if you want. You can also add some specimen plants in pots and if they are elevated will create a nice focal point.

Good luck!

landscapeliving answers:

I have a path going through my wooded area and I planted vinca, which is a ground cover and blooms tiny purple flowers in spring and fall. Also an assortment of Hosta's, Bleeding hearts, lily of the valley, and an assortment of ferns. There are alot of shade loving plants, of course check to make sure they are in your zone. Have fun! A garden in the trees looks very pretty.

landscapeliving answers:

University of Virginia Extension
Deer resistant plants
Scroll down about midway
The plants are all categorized
Most plants require some sun but you can select from the lists and determine shade

http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/treeshru/resistan.htm

**************NOTE**********************
All of the links can be opened for possible information
If you need to you can contact WVU for plant specifics
Contact:
John W. Jett,
304/293-6131 ext. 4224
Lewis W. Jett,
304/293-6131 ext. 4240
Horticulture Specialists,
WVU Extension Service

http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/hortcult/index.html

http://www.wvu.edu/~agexten/index.html

Contact Us

http://www.wvu.edu/~exten/contact.htm

Missouri resident

To RScott You give the shortest answers and I give the longest ones.
I'm glad I'm not a deer in your area...my rump would be hurtin' all the time...

landscapeliving answers:

Hostas (love em) and mock orange. I have some azaleas in the shade but they don't bloom very well.