Georgia Gardener Newsletter Design Tip: November 30, 2006
Evergreen Foundation Plantings for Shade
Florida Anise shrubs mixed with Autumn Fern, stones and mossy logs
Evergreen plants are still the standard along the foundations of structures in order to
create a transition from the building to the landscape. With such a wide range of landscape plant
material to choose from, there are almost endless designs and combinations to work with....in the sun.
Even in partial shade there are plenty of choices, but when the area in question is heavily shaded
either by the building or nearby trees, the options become a bit more limited.
However, there are choices in plants and hardscaping that can create a pleasing foundation
in moderate to dense shade.
Use of Texture and Subtle Shades
Plants that grow in moderate to dense shade often do not flower as heavily or for as long as plants that
grow in more sunlight. Flowering requires solar energy. However in the shade it's much easier to
use subtle differences in color and texture that are often lost in bright sunlight. Combining the lacy
texture and bright green (and orange) color of Autumn Fern with the bold texture and deeper green color
of Lenten Rose makes a great foliage combination. Even better, the use of evergreen plants
that are variegated can create eye-catching color combinations on the same plant.
Hardscaping Options
Unlike plants stones, logs, statues, water features, bird baths and other decorative items are not affected
by a lack of sunlight and often make outstanding additions in shady foundation beds. Specimen
boulders, particularly those covered with mosses or lichens, seem much more appealing in the shade
where their subtle colors and textures aren't "washed out" by harsh sunlight. Light-colored stones used
as edging or mixed with other hardscaping features can brighten even the darkest areas.
Evergreen Shrubs for Shade
|
Name
|
Botanical Name
|
Size (H x W)
|
|
Yellow Anise
|
Illicium parviflorum
|
6-8' x 6'
|
|
Florida Anise
|
Illicium floridanum
|
6-8' x 6'
|
|
Aucuba
|
Aucuba japonica
|
8-10' x 8'
|
|
Rhododendron/Azalea*
|
Rhododendron spp.
|
Varies
|
|
Camellia*
|
Camellia spp.
|
6-8' x 6'
|
|
Cleyera
|
Cleyera japonica
|
8-10' x 8'
|
|
Carolina Cherry Laurel
|
Prunus caroliniana
|
10-15' x 12'
|
|
Coast Doghobble
|
Leucothoe axillaris
|
2-4' x 4'
|
|
Mountain Doghobble
|
Leucothoe fontanesiana
|
3-5' x 5'
|
|
Florida Leucothoe
|
Agarista populifolia
|
8-10' x 8'
|
|
Andromeda
|
Pieris japonica
|
4-6' x 6'
|
|
Skimmia
|
Skimmia japonica
|
2-5' x 5'
|
|
Prostrate Yew
|
Cephalotaxus harringtonia 'Prostrata'
|
2' x 4-5'
|
Evergreen Perennials and Ground Covers for Shade
|
Name
|
Botanical Name
|
Size (H x W)
|
|
Autumn Fern
|
Dryopteris erythrosora
|
2-3' x 2'
|
|
Lungwort*
|
Pulmonaria spp.
|
1-2' x 1'
|
|
Barrenwort*
|
Epimedium spp.
|
2' x 2'
|
|
Foam Flower
|
Tiarella spp.
|
1' x 1'
|
|
Lenten/Christmas Rose
|
Helleborus spp.
|
1-2' x 2'
|
|
Ebony Spleenwort Fern
|
Asplenium platyneuron
|
1' x 1'
|
|
Coral Bells*
|
Heuchera spp.
|
1-2' x 1'
|
|
Green n Gold
|
Chrysogonum virginianum
|
1-2" x 2-3'
|
|
Wintergreen
|
Gaultheria procumbens
|
1' x 2'
|
|
Sacred Lily
|
Rohdea japonica
|
1' x 1-2'
|
|
Seersucker Sedge
|
Carex plantaginea
|
1' x 1-2'
|
|
Cast Iron Plant
|
Aspidistra elatior
|
2-3' x 2-3'
|
|
Spurge/Pachysandra
|
Pachysandra spp.
|
1' spreading
|
|
Mosses
|
Numerous species
|
1" or less
|
*Although these plants will grow in fairly dense shade, blooming may be reduced.
Copyright © 2006 by Theresa Schrum - All rights reserved
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