Gardening and Horticulture - Shade gardening
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05-31-00, 09:41 AM
Help!
I just moved into a new house in a city in the northeast which has a 18' by 36' backyard, which is almost completely shaded. We're talking very little sun at all. I'd like to start a garden, but I have NO experience with shade plants at all. The soil is mostly clay (a creek once ran through the far end of the back yard.
Can anyone suggest some plants that are relatively easy to maintain? Besides the obligatory hostas, that is. I'm thinking that part of this garden is going to have to be flagstones and ivy, but I'd LOVE some flowers.
Thanks!
Ellen
I just moved into a new house in a city in the northeast which has a 18' by 36' backyard, which is almost completely shaded. We're talking very little sun at all. I'd like to start a garden, but I have NO experience with shade plants at all. The soil is mostly clay (a creek once ran through the far end of the back yard.
Can anyone suggest some plants that are relatively easy to maintain? Besides the obligatory hostas, that is. I'm thinking that part of this garden is going to have to be flagstones and ivy, but I'd LOVE some flowers.
Thanks!
Ellen
06-10-00, 07:00 AM
Some hardy, shade tolerant plants I've had good luck with are: impatiens, bacopa, lobelia, bleeding heart, Jacob's ladder, silver nettle, sedum.
06-11-00, 04:28 PM
I have a part of my yard that gets zero sunlight...after trying several flowering plants that remained puny, I tried Caladiums. They are wonderful and thrive well, and their bright assorted colors make a spectacular splash. I love them as they are so easy and tolerant of my lack of a green thumb.