I have one part of my yard behind the fence and next to my carport, that is about 90% shade. Can anyone tell me of some
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360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Feb 13, 2012I think Mondo grass is a good option. Once established very low care. Might need to check your planting zone though.Helpful Reply
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Terri J on Feb 13, 2012Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas.Also, I live in York, PA and off the top of my head can't remember what zone it is. I believe it is 6 though. If the Mondo grass doesn't work, is there anything else that you would suggest?Helpful Reply
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3po3 on Feb 13, 2012I have some chinese evergreens and some hostas that grow in shady areas despite total neglect on my part. I know that's not very specific because dozens of plants fall under each of those names, but it can help you narrow down your options at your local nursery. Good luck.Helpful Reply
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Carol S on Feb 14, 2012Your local county extension service is a great source for native plants suitable to your zone. Just call or e-mail and they will provide you with lots of ideas.Helpful Reply
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Garden Rebel / Sims Landscaping, Co. on Feb 14, 2012I think Steves suggestion of Hostas is great as you will have a big selection of contrasting foliage that does well in shade. A good form of English Ivy is another choice and if the area is big enough then accents of lavender and white Impatiens can be incorporated for summer color.Helpful Reply
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Douglas Hunt on Feb 14, 2012Hostas are an excellent choice if you do not have deer. If you do, it is like setting out a salad bar. Perhaps my favorite plants for a shady situation are hellebores. They bloom early in the year when you most need to see blooms and the foliage will last much longer than that of the hosta, which will be gone with the first hard frost. The only maintenance they require is cutting back any foliage that looks tattered in the spring. Another excellent option for shade is astrantia, a summer bloomer that, in my experience has also proven quite deer-resistant.Helpful Reply
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Erica Glasener on Feb 14, 2012Terri, Doug is right about hellebores, a good choice. Hostas do not like todry out and for that matter, anything you plant will need to be watered. If you can prepare the soil ahead of time (add compost or soil conditioner) and water when needed (at least weekly while plants become established) you will have better results. Pachysandra terminalis is another evergreen groundcover that will do well in your shady spot.Helpful Reply
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Donna McCrummen on Feb 14, 2012Whatever you do Do Not plant Ivy - it is invasive and in my opinion should not even be sold. Pachysandra will spread quickly and can take over but very slowly and it will not climb.Helpful Reply
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Erica Glasener on Feb 14, 2012I second that Shabby Daze, I would not suggest ivy unless surrounded by concrete and even then, it is very aggressiveHelpful Reply
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Cheryl S on Feb 15, 2012I use Hosta's and they come in many colors and varities.Helpful Reply
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Charlene S on Feb 15, 2012If you go on a flower site you will find many varieties of shade loving flowers. If you want color added to your space, Astilbe is great.Helpful Reply
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Flowerscapes Garden Design & Landscaping on Feb 17, 2012Once the last frost date has passes, Impatiens. A great annual that reseeds great, but not invasive. Amend the soil well, put a bit of Osmocote or Dynamite slow release fertilizer in each planting hole, and you're off to a stunning floral display in the shade.Helpful Reply
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Terri J on Feb 19, 2012Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas. I love color, and variety of plants. Please keep more answers coming. I appreciate all the ones I have gotten so far!Helpful Reply
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Charlene S on Feb 20, 2012Terri...have you thought of planting Astilbe? They are primarily a flower, but branch out and grow to about two feet. They come in many colors and do exceptionaly well in shade. Again, check on some flower sites online and you will be able to see more about them. You could even mix them with Hosta which comes in different varieties. Good luck..hope all goes well.Helpful Reply
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Terri J on Feb 20, 2012Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas, and no Charlene, I hadn't thought of Astilbe. I am starting to think along the lines of wild flowers that may do well in the shade too. I am just hoping for a couple more ideas and then it will be off to a nursery to see what they have. Wish me luck on the nursery trip, b/c everytime I go to the one by me, they always tell me that they have what I want and then I get there and it is not what I asked for. Oh well, no one is perfect!Helpful Reply
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Douglas Hunt on Feb 20, 2012Another thought, Terri: You could make a colorful tapestry for shade using heucheras, whose foliage seems to come in every color in the rainbow these days.Helpful Reply
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Terri J on Feb 24, 2012Thank you to everyone who responded to this post. Ya'all have given me some great ideas and just in time for York's Flower Show. It should be a lot easier to shop their!Helpful Reply
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Douglas Hunt on Feb 25, 2012Happy shopping, Terri!Helpful Reply
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Cheryl S on Apr 02, 2012yesterday a gentleman suggested Thyme ground cover it is purple in winter and green in summer. Not the herb.Helpful Reply
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360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Apr 02, 2012Thyme does not do well in shade.Helpful Reply
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Terri J on Apr 02, 2012I forgot to mention that the land back there is very acidic because of the pine trees. I have started shopping for plants, but w/ the insane weather, nothing has been planted yet. I am trying to chose plants that will match the sunny side of the area too.Helpful Reply
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Terri J on May 08, 2012May 8th - we are getting April showers. The past two weekd are the only time we haven't been dropping to mid 30's at night. Now it's time to start planting here. Saw lots of beautiful flowere/plants but glad I held off b/c of above reasons. I am getting some free helebores, and will add from there as I can. Thank you everyone for all the different suggestions.Helpful Reply
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Erica Glasener on May 09, 2012Free plants are always great Terri. Enjoy your shade. I wanted to add that I have an area of dry shade and in addition to hellebores, Christmas fern is evergreen (Polystichum acrosticchoides), native and tough. Here is a photo of Christmas fern with wildflowers (Phacelia and trillium) in spring.Helpful Reply
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Terri J on May 09, 2012Erica, thank you for suggesting Christmas fern. I only have one spot of shade - by my carport. I love things that stay green year round, and have golden thread juniper bushes out front for that reason.Helpful Reply
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Erica Glasener on May 09, 2012Your welcome Terri. It is a tough and satisfying plant.Helpful Reply
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