Deep Shade II

We came from here: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/725218/

This is the continuation of our discussion of the challenge of successful gardening in deep shade. If you have questions or answers on this topic, this is a great place to be!

Weerobin: I like both your epimedium wushanense and the thalictrum (no id). Let me know if you ever id it!

I'm trying to decide, should I plant Heuchera behind hosta, or visa versa? Or maybe mix them throughout? I'm going to look up and label the mature height and width on each one to help decide. Any thoughts? They will be at the front of my bed.

I like them mixed but have all mine arround a tree. I have a hosta strip garden and will put some coral bells in with them. BEV

Very nice, dragonfly! Love the birdhouse, too!

There's a wide range of size of hosta, and to a lesser extent, heuchera. And both can take a long time to reach mature size. So my answer is "it depends!" I'm faced with the same question right now on a new bed I am (slowly) putting in.

Goodness, and then we also have to consider color!! Dragonfly, I also like your bird house. What is that tree with the giant leaves?

Where is the tree in the pics that you are talking about Storm?

Not the evergreen.

I think I see what you think you see! I am standing on the porch. To the left is a soft maple limb hanging down and it looks like it is on the hybred poplar on the other side of the drive. Is that what it is?? I will give you a closer look at the HP at this time there was another spruce there too. The poplar is on the left. Bev

It was the closeup of the maple. beautiful pink shrub there!!!

Since hostas vary from 10 inches or less to 3 feet or more it really does depend on the hosta. Heucheras are more low growing and I think do better towards the front of the border.

Thanks, Doss. Maybe the delicate texture of the heuchera Leaves vs those of the Hosta also make the Heuchera better if placed in front. I Guess the mini hostas might do well to be mixed in with the Heuchera.

Doss the picture of your lovely shade garden stays in my mind. What is that pretty green and white plant along the top of your wall?

That is hosta Golden Tiara if it's what I think you mean. I would buy Grand Tiara though because Golden Tiara has a reputation for carrying the virus HVX. It multiplies rapidly so you can make a border in not too many years. These started out as six plants. It's one of the easiest hostas to grow - not that there are hard hostas, just that these multiply rapidly.

Thank you, I thought it was a hosta, but it seemed to be laying down almost hanging.

That is a red ornimental crab tree that is in the pic. BEV

That could be the creeping jenny that you saw. It does hang down over the edge of the wall. It will be happy in full sun to mostly shade. In some places it can get a little greedy and take over so you have to keep after it.

Wow is that tree stunning. I've never seen a crabapple tree that color!

I agree, it's gorgeous! Any idea what the name of it is?

That is in full bloom. Here it is just when it started.

Sorry don't know the name.

Doss, No it was the hosta. I think that you should repost that photo to this new thread. It will be an inspiration for those new to the thread.

OK here it is:

Doss, that's stunning as usual. What is the variegated plant in front of the ligularia? Is that also ligularia - the leaves look similar?

The variegated plant in front of the ligularia is farfugium 'Argentea'. It's really a beautiful plant.

So it is a ligularia? It looks like it's not hardy in my zone though :-(

Farfugium and ligularia used to be the same family (or whatever) but several years ago they broke them down into two groups. Farfugium need less water and are evergreen here whereas the ligularias droop without a lot of water and are definitely deciduous.

Georgeous as always doss. I see my faves the ligularias. Dragonfly I love all your photos also. Nice. Stormyla... My dragons tail is doing great. I really like this little plant. Im glad I got it. The colors just shine don't they? Ronna

Doss, do you give tours of your gardens? Sheesh, and I just left no. CA a couple weeks ago!

Yep, you should have dropped by! We could have tea in the gazebo. :-)

Thanks, Doss. Not wanting to seem piggy, but could you also please add the shot where the Ligularia is blooming? It makes such a statement.

Maybe next year? I lived in your area for a short time--Sunnyvale. Loved it there!

Dragonfly, I'm totally jealous of your trees!!!!! Did you plant them? How old are they?

Sure, see you next year!

Cool, thanks!

The trees are about 15 years old. A nieghbor gave them to me. Her son worked for a landscaper and they were going to throw them away because they were not perfect so look how pretty!! lucky me. BEV
Here is a yoshino cherry tree

Gee, I'd love to have such "not perfect" trees! Boy, they were dummies, huh? Good for you!

We are such a throw away society!

It is so true. Oh just throw it away... how is the dragons tail doing??? Mine is great. It got a nother new leaf and the color is so golden!! I even see there are a few new flowers coming on. I really like this little plant I kinda wish I wouldve planted it in a different place... :{. So I could see it better. Very nice little plant looks very happy. Ronna

Ronna, I haven't received it yet. Right now I'm buried under a pile of Heucheras, literally.