Wednesday, 7 August 2013

Shade Perennials To Complete Your Landscape

By Gene Bush


For many homeowners, the most difficult place to successfully add landscaping are those shaded by the structure of the home or the dense canopy of a tree. Such locations may involve challenges including a lack of light and moisture along with poor soil. Shade perennials can thrive in these areas.

Bigroot geraniums can survive these difficult conditions in the shaded areas. These flowering plants tolerate drought as well as heat. Their flavor is not desirable for deer or rabbits, so they normally leave the plants alone. It can produce pink or white flowers. Fall foliage offers many brilliant colors. It does well in Zones 4-8.

Toad lilies offer a beautiful Autumn show. They are thrive under these conditions and provide unique orchid like flowers. They blooms are often dotted with blue or purple colors. For large lavender flowers that mix well with hostas, choose the Tojen variety.

Hostas can be very showy plants that do well in situations low in light. They have a great variety in size from a few inches across to giants that are more that six feet in width. Leaves are available in various colors other than the normal green. Variegated foliage can create interest as the colors mix. Some can provide very fragrant flowers.

Ajuga is a groundcover providing both foliage and pretty pink flowers. The leaves are glossy deep green. In the spring, there can be spikes of blue flowers. The plant does best in Zones 3-9 and remains a controlled 6 inches in height.

When attempting to landscape shaded beds homeowners may find these shade perennials to be a good choice. They thrive even in heavily shaded areas and create beautiful displays. Most mix well with other plants that love a shaded environment in which to grow.




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