As temperatures continue to rise, my outside exposure gradually begins to decrease. I am not a fan of heat, especially humidity. My routine becomes a mad dash to the house, to the car, to the office, to the car, and back home to the safety and comfort of air conditioning. Now, of course, this isn’t always possible. Life dictates that I must spend some time outdoors. It’s inevitable, but when I do, I tend to seek out the cool, reassuring comfort of shade. It, at least, makes the outdoors tolerable.
Much like myself, there are certain plants that not only prefer shade but thrive in its cool, dark bliss. I know what you’re probably thinking – Hosta, Hosta, Fern, Hosta. Alas, no! There are so many viable, interesting options that offer not only color, but texture, contrast, scent, and all around interest and intrigue. Let’s explore some of these options that will brighten and liven any shady area of your landscape.
Carnival Watermelon Alumroot
Artfully textured, peachy-pink foliage matures to a bronzy-green with silver markings. Dainty, white bell-shaped flowers bloom atop long stems in mid-Spring. Prefers shade to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 8-12” wide and 12-18” wide. Attracts pollinators. Salt tolerant.
Raspberry Splash Pulmonaria
Lovely, mounded plant that produces clusters of bright, raspberry-colored blooms in early to mid-Spring amongst white speckled foliage. Prefers shade to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 8-12″ tall and 12-18″ wide. Attracts hummingbirds and bees. Deer resistant
Black Leaved Ligularia
A truly unique, bold and brazen plant, Ligularia offers large, rounded maroon-black leathery leaves with raspberry colored undersides and golden-orange daisy-like flower clusters from July – September that are great for cutting and creating stunning bouquets. Prefers shade to partial shade, and moist soil. Grows 3-4′ tall and 2-3′ wide. Attracts pollinators. Deer resistant.
Visions Astible
Fluffy lavender-mauve plumes bloom atop sturdy stems and dark green foliage July – August. Prefers shade to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 12-18” tall and 12-18” wide. Deer and rabbit resistant. Drought tolerant.
Black Bugbane
Fragrant, foot-long white bottlebrush flowers tinged with pink bloom in early Fall on upright, arching stems, flanked by deep purple foliage. Truly a stunner! Prefers shade to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 4-6′ tall and 3-4′ wide, giving visual, vertical appeal. Attracts butterflies and other pollinators.
Japanese Painted Fern
Finely textured, bluish-gray fronds with hints of silver, white and burgundy grow in a lovely mound. Prefers shade to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 12-18” tall and 12-18” wide.
Bring some life, color, texture and contrast into the shade with these unique and stunning plants. Reach out to Sweeney’s today, and be afraid of the dark no more!
Plant of the Week
Ostrich Fern
Large, upright fronds, similar to Ostrich plumes, grows in dense stands. Prefers shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 4-6′ tall and 24-36″ wide. Deer resistant.
“To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.”
-Jane Austen
Well wishes,
Kim Sweeney