What plants will grow in my space?
+5
Border garden for the shade-
I have a 6 x 12 border in the front of my house. Ripped out two old rhodies---as the pines across the way grew, the sun quotient diminshed.. I am a novice gardener. What plants will grow in this space and how do I decide how to plant them? All the gardening book plans are too complicated or call for more sun. I live in zone 5 and do really well with astilbe, hosta and hellebores.
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First you need to decide if you want all perennials or combine the area with small compacts shrubs.
I would go to a local nursery/garden center with pictures of your space on your iphone. You eventully have to buy and care for your plants somewere nearby anyway and they are the plant professionals in your area. Advice is free. And most places guarantee the plants they sell and recommend to you.
On another note possibly post a photo and I will be happy to help you design the area.
You can grow such fun plants- Lavender, peonies, great list: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/gardening-by-zone/zone-5/zone-5-gardening.htm
I'm excited to see what you choose to do!
You can add to your shade list lily of the valley, bleeding heart, ajuga, numerous varieties of ferns and coral bells come in a great variety of colored leaves and heights. In annuals impatiens are the ole standby in shade. Just place the taller plants in the rear and arrange around those. You will do great! PS. Most shade lovers enjoy acid soil, so add a little peat or rhododendron soil mixed into existing.
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS WEBSITE WILL ALLOW YOU TO DESIGN A GARDEN, AND HAS GUIDES FOR THE GARDEN, AND HAS GUIDES FOR THE PLANTS YOU MAY WANT TO GROW.
monitor how much light you get, and which direction it's coming from. have you had your soil tested for ph? you mentioned pine trees? they really like acidic soil. also...what ever the size of a trees canopy there is usually 3 times as much root structure. roots growing into the basement or foundation of a building not a good thing. my uncle was way into trees, he trimmed them for a living and and was a certified arborist. ( yeah i never learned to spell) you may do better with smaller forms of hosta, lily of the valley. some pines will shed their needles, cedars for sure. it kinda kills off the competition. remember to pretend that you a planting a fully mature plant and allow space for growth.
I appreciate all the comments---this is why I love hometalk. So, far I have purchased a number of plants from a mail order company I have had excellent results and service from in the last two years. I ordered some lamium, tiarella, a few small bright green bushey-thingys, some digitalis. For my baskets and containers I have lots of bulbs on order and saved from last year---tuberous begonias. I will add the hanging greenery and white impatiens. I am searching for white marigolds---not seeds, failed miserably with seeds last year--to put in the sunny place by the pool where I sit in the afternoons. Gardening is amazing!