Needing shade garden suggestions!

This Forum is for gardening discussions in areas that vary from less than full-sun to deep shade.
Post Reply
User avatar
WestMIJay
Posts: 124
Joined: July 28th, 2011, 1:05 am
Location: Grandville, MI
Grass Type: Northern Mix
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Needing shade garden suggestions!

Post by WestMIJay » September 13th, 2011, 8:02 pm

I just rounded up a area in the NE corner of my house that is tucked between the garage and house. The area gets maybe 2 to 3 hours of sun a day tops. Got tired of mowing up a small hill where my A/C sits so I was hoping to plant a small shade garden. I'm a little worried because the lack of sun and the hot air my A/C kick out in the summer and would love some suggestions. I would like to hide the A/C unit if I can, if not it's understandable. Pic below.

Click for full size
Also I'm going to move the arborvitae shrub.

User avatar
simpson
Posts: 4982
Joined: June 14th, 2009, 1:12 pm
Location: elkton md
Grass Type: moonlight slt
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Needing shade garden suggestions!

Post by simpson » September 13th, 2011, 8:08 pm

I will have to think about something to put there but you do not want to block the air flow of the ac unit. Something small up front to take your eye off of it would be best.

[ Post made via Android ] Image

User avatar
andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Needing shade garden suggestions!

Post by andy10917 » September 13th, 2011, 8:56 pm

This is going to shock the regulars (NOT!!!) --- get some good (not big-box store) Hosta and add a few Heucheras for variety. That spot looks perfect for that combo.

User avatar
simpson
Posts: 4982
Joined: June 14th, 2009, 1:12 pm
Location: elkton md
Grass Type: moonlight slt
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Needing shade garden suggestions!

Post by simpson » September 13th, 2011, 9:17 pm

andy10917 wrote:This is going to shock the regulars
Let me Guess. Not Hosta?
andy10917 wrote:Hosta

You recommend Hosta lol thats a good one.

User avatar
MorpheusPA
Posts: 18129
Joined: March 5th, 2009, 7:32 pm
Location: Zone 6 (Eastern PA)
Grass Type: Elite KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Advanced

Re: Needing shade garden suggestions!

Post by MorpheusPA » September 13th, 2011, 10:00 pm

Hosta are nice. I like hosta. I strongly prefer something that blooms, however...

Things like a Miss Kim lilac would look nice, constrain themselves pretty well, and bloom beautifully in May. Coral bells, astilbe, liriope, and anything from the shady nook area of the gardening center would do fine. Impatiens produce good summer color and look great on 2-3 hours per day of sun.

Definitely establish a 2' minimum margin around the AC unit, though. That'll help keep the air flow up around it.


User avatar
jfd.lew
Posts: 400
Joined: August 18th, 2010, 9:02 am
Location: Ankeny, IA
Grass Type: Betwitche/Midnight/Blueberry
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Experienced

Re: Needing shade garden suggestions!

Post by jfd.lew » September 16th, 2011, 10:07 am

I think a specimen hosta or two with double impatiens would look great back there! The impatiens will stay small with nice bright blooms all summer and early fall. The hostas will fill it in, but as Morph said, keep a dmz around the a/c unit.

User avatar
WestMIJay
Posts: 124
Joined: July 28th, 2011, 1:05 am
Location: Grandville, MI
Grass Type: Northern Mix
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Needing shade garden suggestions!

Post by WestMIJay » September 18th, 2011, 7:42 pm

Great idea's everyone. I am going to take a few idea's from everyone.

Now is it to late in the season to plant hosta's and impatien's?

User avatar
simpson
Posts: 4982
Joined: June 14th, 2009, 1:12 pm
Location: elkton md
Grass Type: moonlight slt
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Needing shade garden suggestions!

Post by simpson » September 18th, 2011, 7:47 pm

Impatiens yes not sure about hosta most of those are not doing to good this time of year. (I think they die aback after the first frost)

[ Post made via Android ] Image

User avatar
MorpheusPA
Posts: 18129
Joined: March 5th, 2009, 7:32 pm
Location: Zone 6 (Eastern PA)
Grass Type: Elite KBG
Lawn Size: 10000-20000
Level: Advanced

Re: Needing shade garden suggestions!

Post by MorpheusPA » September 18th, 2011, 7:48 pm

Impatiens, yes. They'll drop at frost, so they're a summer-type thing. Andy will know about the hosta, but I suspect that spring is better for them too.

User avatar
andy10917
Posts: 29739
Joined: February 23rd, 2009, 10:48 pm
Location: NY (Lower Hudson Valley)
Grass Type: Emblem KBG (Front); Blueberry KBG Monostand (Back)
Lawn Size: 1 acre-2 acre
Level: Advanced

Re: Needing shade garden suggestions!

Post by andy10917 » September 18th, 2011, 7:52 pm

For Hostas, we're nearing the end of the best time to plant them now. If you have them by next weekend, go ahead. Otherwise, hold until next April. Hostas look sad this time of year, but the roots establish well. They need a bit of time even after frost for the roots to establish.

grassboro
Posts: 162
Joined: September 28th, 2010, 11:45 am
Location: Durham, NC
Grass Type: Tall Fescue
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Needing shade garden suggestions!

Post by grassboro » September 18th, 2011, 8:39 pm

Look at some Carex (sedge). They like moist shade and are mostly evergreen. Solid green, variegated, red/bronze. Some good ones are Evergold, Ice Ballet, Red Rooster, etc. Santa Rosa Gardens mail order is a good source.

FrancoisD
Posts: 1
Joined: March 29th, 2019, 6:35 am
Location: New York suburbs
Grass Type: many
Lawn Size: Not Specified
Level: Not Specified

Re: Needing shade garden suggestions!

Post by FrancoisD » March 29th, 2019, 6:30 pm

I want to buy sedge, Carex Pensylvanica appears to work well where I live in the New York suburbs. I'm told seed doesn't work. My area is about 5 X 20 feet. Any suggestions please?

TimmyG
Posts: 2244
Joined: May 15th, 2012, 6:04 pm
Location: Dracut, MA
Grass Type: Northern Mix
Lawn Size: 20000-1 acre
Level: Experienced

Re: Needing shade garden suggestions!

Post by TimmyG » March 29th, 2019, 11:37 pm

Suggestions for sourcing Carex pensylvanica? Or suggestions for alternative shade garden plants?

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest