librarian2003 (librarian2003) wrote in weagardening, @ 2011-10-24 19:19:00 |
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Current mood: | thirsty |
Entry tags: | dry shade plants, euonymus, tulips |
Week 5
Halfway through already!
Our plants of the week had an odd hiccup this week. October's plants on Friday were temporarily unclaimed, and Jean stepped in and told us about fuchsias. Pictures will follow when the Friday group have seen them. (NB, fuchsias are now loaded up). On Tuesday, Robert gave us Tulips, which are right for planting this month, and Joan told us about Euonymus, particularly the winged spindle, Euonymus alata compacta.
Pictures are here:
Tulips, Euonymus and Hardy Fuchsia
Our Sites of the Week are here:
GARDENING FOR PLEASURE
Sites of the week : Week 5
1 For plants suitable for all shady situations
Long Acre Plants
http://www.plantsforshade.co.uk/index.h
2 For all things organic.
Ryton Organic Gardens
http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk
3 Helps people with disabilities to carry on gardening
Thrive
http://www.carryongardening.org.uk
4 For advice and information
Gardening Which
http://www.which.co.uk/magazine/gardeni
5 For those who love native wildflowers
The Wildflower Society
http://www.thewildflowersociety.com
Jo Hanslip
October 2011
Our main topic was Plants for Dry Shade, and the handout is here:
GARDENING FOR PLEASURE
Plants for dry shade
1 Bulbs
We think that nothing will grow under a tree, it’s too dry, too shady. That isn’t true for deciduous trees and shrubs. In full growth the foliage will act as a very effective umbrella, considerably reducing both light and rainfall, but we forget that for 6 months of the year – October to April – those leaves are absent.
Our native flora – bluebells, wild garlic, wood anemones and lent lily daffodils, which are all primarily woodlanders, demonstrate this. They are a perfect example of evolutionary adaptation to a cool, but wet, winter/spring followed by a cool, dry summer when the tree’s leaves not only cut out the rainfall but act as a sunshade as well. There are a host of other bulbs, both common and unusual, that will similarly take advantage of this temporary availability of light and moisture and flower here happily prior to their natural summer dormancy.
2 Perennials
Ameliorate the soil, not by digging, which will destroy tree roots and compound water loss, but by mulching the surface of the soil with lashings of compost and/or leaf mould. This will conserve moisture and keep down competitive weeds.
Plant carefully among tree roots, probing the soil gently to identify pockets of soil and extracting just enough to get the new plant off to a flying start. Use small, young plants that will establish quickly.
Eventually plants will spread and colonise, so from time to time divide and replant, preferably when dormant.
Hostas are often recommended for urban shade, but walls harbour snails and slugs, so they may be quickly decimated. Instead, choose tougher plants such as Brunnera macrophylla, whose heart-shaped leaves may not be quite so big and bold, but they will last. B. macrophylla 'Jack Frost' has silver foliage and sprays of brilliant blue forget-me-not flowers.
Many bulbs are in their element in dry shade: underplant perennials with chionodoxa, scilla and snowdrops to add texture and depth.
3 AGM plants for dry shade from Graham Rice
Dry shade is one of the most difficult parts of the garden for which to find good plants. All these have received the accolade of the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM). They will thrive in the dry shade, just help them settle in with some extra watering after planting.
Brunnera macrophylla : Developing into a bold, weed-suppressing cover of broad, rather rough, heart-shaped leaves above tough, slowly spreading roots, the effect is rather like a rough-textured hosta. Then in spring come clouds of dainty blue forget-me-not flowers. Looks good alongside narrow-leaved Iris foetidissima. Recent silvered forms like ‘Jack Frost’ are also excellent. Height 45cm (18in).
Dryopteris filix-mas : Unexpectedly tolerant of dry, shady conditions once established, its finely dissected widely splayed fronds, spreading in a broad shuttlecock, are the perfect contrast to broader foliage. Makes an imposing plant as it matures. Two cultivars also have AGMs, 'Cristata' and 'Grandiceps Wills' both have crests at the tips of their fronds and of their leaf divisions. Height 1m (39in).
Euonymus fortunei ‘Emerald ‘n’ Gold’ : Deservedly popular, this dwarf and rather dense growing shrub, with spreading evergreen growth features small dark green leaves brightly edged in gold. In winter the colouring fades to cream with pink tints. Slow but determined in growth. Will also slowly climb tree trunks and walls. Height 50cm (20in).
Epimedium x perralchicum : Most evergreen epimediums are good in dry shade, this one makes a dense clump of rather tough, leathery leaves split into three or five wavy-edged leaflets. In spring, sprays of petite pale yellow flowers dance over the foliage. Good, weed smothering, hardy perennial cover which is attractive all year. Arose at Wisley in the 1930s. Height 40cm (16in).
Geranium macrorrhizum 'White-Ness' : A low, not-quite-evergreen, intriguingly aromatic perennial spreading steadily with fat rhizomes to make a dense mat of attractive foliage. The prettily lobed leaves often take on reddish tints in autumn. In May and June, white flowers light up the shade, a much fresher and cleaner colour than other white forms. Height 30cm (12in).
Heuchera 'Regina' : A hybrid of unusually drought resistant parents, the rounded neatly lobed leaves are reddish purple as they open, then the silver overlay becomes more dominant as the season progresses. Developing into a dense compact perennial, this is lovely as a front of the border specimen or in groups. In May there are delicate pink flowers on tall stems. Height 25cm (10in).
Iris foetidissima : A classic perennial for tough situations, the long and pointed, heavy duty evergreen foliage is always a feature and although the small purplish flowers are a little dowdy they are followed by fat pods of bright orange-scarlet fruits that last for many months. Height 45cm (18in).
Mahonia aquifolium 'Apollo' : This widely spreading evergreen shrub, with its shining dark green holly-like evergreen leaves carried on contrasting red stems, is one of those shrubs which is both an appealing specimen and a functional ground cover. Bright clusters of yellow flowers in March, and attractively bronzed foliage in winter. Height 60cm (25in).
Parthenocissus tricuspidata : This impressively vigorous, self-clinging climber can reach a great height; climbing into the tree, or up the wall, that is creating the dry shade this may be exactly what is needed. The glossy green, three-lobed leaves are a bright feature all spring and summer then in autumn the whole plant turns scarlet and crimson. Miraculous. Height 15m (50ft).
Vinca minor 'Argenteovariegata' : A low and spreading weed smothering habit of growth; neat cream edged, slightly greyish green evergreen leaves on steadily extending stems; and pale purple flowers in spring. Makes a dense low carpet of foliage with a burst of spring flowers. Never gets out of hand. Height 10cm (4in).
4 Other suitable plants
Alchemilla mollis : Common as muck but for a tough spot very good, plumes of yellow flowers in Summer. Very dry shade tolerant and resistant to deer and rabbits, plus the occasional football or foot. Will mildly seed around. H30cm x W40cm
Anemone nemorosa 'Vestal' AGM : Double flowered form, white with a central ruff of staminoid petals, last cultivar to flower.
Aquilegia vulgaris 'Munstead White' : A lovely pure white strain of this good garden plant, easy in shade where is shows up wonderfully. A native plant to 60cm tall x 30cm wide.
Aquilegia vulgaris 'Ruby Port' : Double ruby-red flowered form, very good in shade, even dry shade, and will seed true. To 80cm tall.
Aster divaricatus : A very lovely species aster which is easy, mildew free, with shiny dark black stems with white flowers atop the zigzag stems in the Autumn.
Bergenia 'Overture' : Richly coloured, neat foliage and stunning magenta flowers in Spring. Dark red winter foliage. A high quality form. To 30cm high x 40cm wide.
Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' : Fully silvered leaves and blue flowers in Spring. Showed great vigour even in dry conditions. Will gradually form a good size plant to 70cm across and 60cm high.
Cyclamen hederifolium : Super in dry shade, August - September flowering, leaves all Winter.
Epimedium pinnatum ssp colchicum : A very tough easy pale yellow flowered evergreen Epimedium. Easy in dry shade. To 35cm tall and 40cm wide.
Epimedium x rubrum : A hybrid form which is a good general easy form for dryish shade. Evergreen well marked foliage to 35cm high x 50cm wide.
Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum' AGM : Easy pale lemon yellow flowered species, good ground cover.
Euphorbia amygdaloides var robbiae AGM : The native wood spurge, very tough evergreen euphorbia for any shady conditions including the dry soils right under trees. Green leaves and yellow flowers in Summer. To 40cm tall and wide.
Galium odoratum : Sweet woodruff. Mythical thug for a shady spot where it can spread and display its white flowers in Spring. Will tolerate dry soils.
Geranium macrorrhizum 'Mount Olympus White' : An easy hardy evergreen geranium. Very good in dry shade. Good ground cover with fragrant foliage.
Geranium macrorrhizum 'Pindus' : A slightly compact growing form to only around 25cm tall, spreading by rhizomes and clusters of pretty reddish purple flowers over a long time. Very good ground cover including in very dry shade.
Geranium nodosum : Bluish pearly pink flowers. A nice form of this woodland toughy from the Old Rectory, Burghfield. Will seed around to a certain extent and thrive in pretty much the driest position. To 40cm tall and wide.
Geranium phaeum 'Album' : An excellent Geranium for shade as the white flowers really light up a dry shaded spot.
Geranium 'Katherine Adele' : Heavily mottled foliage almost completely purple flushed, with lined pink flowers. To around 45cm by 45 cm.
Lathyrus vernus AGM : Spring pea, a non-climbing woodlander from Eastern Europe. Blue-purple flowers.
Liriope muscari 'Big Blue' : Predictably large with blue flowers. One of the best of the good flowering forms, to 40cm tall and wide, evergreen.
Myrrhis odorata : Sweet Cicely, fully deciduous. In Spring it produces soft, hairy, pale green leaves and then later, small heads of cow parsley type flowers. To 45cm high or more and 40 cm wide. Brushing past it releases a sweet aniseed scent.
Omphalodes cappadocica 'Cherry Ingram' AGM : Striking Spring woodlander, comparatively large blue flowers in masses in Spring.
Pulmonaria 'Cotton Cool' : A nice white silver leaved cultivar with good blue flowers in April. Height - 30cm. Spread - 40cm - 60cm.
Tellima grandiflora 'Forest Frost' : Heavily mottled leaves are frosty in Winter, when the leaves turn to a burgundy colour, pink flowers in Spring.
Tiarella 'Pink Skyrocket' : True pink flowers over darkly-marked deeply-cut wherryi type foliage. To around 40cm tall and wide
Vinca minor Gertrude Jekyll : A lovely low growing, compact white flowered form. Short evergreen leaved stems produce a succession of refreshing white flowers from mid Spring and in to the Summer.
Jo Hanslip
October 2011
For pictures of plants for dry shade, click the link for Tulips and Euonymus - they're all in the same Photobucket album.
Any comments, anyone?
Jo