Shade Plant IDEAS!!!
by
Cindy Carley
+65
We're needing ideas on what type of "shade plants" to plant under this very large tree. It gets absolutely no "SUN"...need something "bright, cheery, and will come back each year"!! Location in Central USA. Thank you!! :)
56 answers
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Bleeding heart, Astilibe, Hosta
Debbie
on Jun 26, 2014
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Thank you. I knew about the hostas but will have to find out more information & photos of the other two.
Cindy Carley
on Jun 26, 2014
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These are nice addition to a garden:Raspberry Splash Bethlehem Sage,Northern Lady Fern ,Christa Coral Bells,Hardy Cyclamen Coum Plant,Gardenview Scarlet Bee Balm
Luis
on Jun 26, 2014
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Add a little more dirt and mound it slightly...HOSTAS LOVE THE SHADE! They are lovely. You can add some variegated Lariope (which is not as invasive) and some Gerber Dasies for color!
Jeanette S
on Jun 26, 2014
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Debbie has my three fav shade plants
Donna Marie P
on Jun 26, 2014
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Ferns and hosta's are my favorites..
Nancy Herold
on Jun 26, 2014
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impatiens if you want annuals for color. Hostas are so easy, and heuchera come in many colors. Have fun!
Cheryl Newman
on Jun 26, 2014
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What kind of soil and water conditions do you have? IF this is a dry/shade area (as it appears in the photo) I'd consider epimedium. This is a very unique perennial plant. It starts out in the spring with tiny flowers (pink, yellow, lavender or white) then the heart shaped leaves turn colors in the fall. So there is interest all season long. They spread, but in clumps which I believe would work for the smallish space under your tree. They are perennial and come back year after year.
White Oak Studio Designs
on Jun 26, 2014
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I would extend the circle out farther to the edge of the branches. the 2' under the tree is dry and to have wow factor you can go with many shade loving plants that add not only color but texture and varying heights to give an impact. check out my profile and the header pic is my shade garden under a 50' oak. I have several varieties of hosta and ferns and add coral bells, astilbe, japanese painted fern, toad lily, other varieties of coral bells, and any shade loving plant that has unique leaves or color. christmas ferns which is a native fern will tolerate dry and you may have to occasionally water under the tree but I see you mulch and you will want to keep this area mulched not only to keep out weeds but the mulch decomposes and helps the soil. I plant close because I love the look of touching each other. However each spring I divide hosta and certain ferns because they usually double in size each year and the bed gets a wee bit crowded. LOL
The Garden Frog with C Renee
on Jun 26, 2014
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Caladiums thrive well in the shade but, unfortunately, are annuals.
G B
on Jun 27, 2014
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As Judy J said, trees shouldn't have to fight for water. And I agree with Garden Frog: extend the bed to the edge of the edge of the branches. I've filled mine in with mulch and placed pots under it, planted with caladiums for a splash of color. But, to me, the mulch bed under the shade of the shade of the tree is lovely and serene, even on a hot Texas day.
Nancy Gramm
on Jun 27, 2014
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For the health of the tree please do not mound any dirt in the circle that you have there. I am a little concerned with the scar that I see and you might want to get the tree checked to make sure that it is healthy. You can use hostas, bromeliads and ferns.
Leona G
on Jun 27, 2014
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Plant some impatients.They will reseed their selfs next year
Sandra T
on Jun 27, 2014
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Astilbes
Suzette Hagood Jones
on Jun 27, 2014
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For the long term health of your tree, the practice of adding soil and flower gardens,etc under your tree isn't a good idea.
Best Planet
on Jun 27, 2014
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One of my absolute favorite shade plants is the Japanese forest grass. They are lime green in color and therefore add lots of punch to shaded areas and they're no too thirsty. Ferns, hostas, astilbes and bleeding hearts are all great options too. Pulmonaria, lamium and Virginia bluebells are other blooming options. Not sure what your gardening zone is, but these are all hardy in zones 6-7. Begonias and impatiens would make a nice border and will bloom all season long but they're annuals. Good luck!
Isabel Carrion-Lopez
on Jun 27, 2014
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I think columbines are the best, they come in many colors, don't need a lot of water. sometimes they reseed themselves. And they will bloom at least twice a year and come back every year.
Julie Metzger
on Jun 27, 2014
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You might watch this brief video for some ideas: http://www.bhg.com/videos/m/61682601/top-shade-garden-plants.htm
Joffler
on Jun 27, 2014
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japanese painted ferns for color, spider wort (awesome purples), helleborus, coral bells, and hosta "white Feather", and in a pot on a outdoor ornamental chair a rex begonia(needs to go inside for the winter if it gets below 400.
Lesa D
on Jun 27, 2014
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Maybe potted plants,slow growing?
Edna Hanson
on Jun 27, 2014
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Best Planet is correct.
Nadlou
on Jun 27, 2014
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One word, "Azaleas"
Mary Ann MCM
on Jun 27, 2014
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See some of my hostas below. I have used hostas in many of my shade areas. Love them!
Linda B
on Jun 27, 2014
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When we had a large tree like this. we had the same issue. In fact, our tree had a scar on it almost exactly like yours. We planted iris', lillies and crinum lillies. I know they don't bloom a lot but they at least added green most of the year and will come back every year. Plus they multiplied and filled the entire space up. They also have short roots so they don't compete with the tree and don't require a lot of water. I would also think some ferns, hostas, and bleeding hearts would work as well although some of them are annuals you would have to replant every year. I know people say not to plant around trees like this but we had our bed around ours for over 15 years with no problems. We only got rid of the tree because it was at the end of its life (40 years).
Laura H
on Jun 27, 2014
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Impatiens are the way to go--bright and cheery and do absolutely beautifully in shade.
Martha H
on Jun 27, 2014
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Pull any extra soil out to the edging and plant Hostas.....lots of them....they love shade. You don't want to choke the tree.
Le'
on Jun 27, 2014
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If you live where there is cold winter, impatiens will not come back. Here in Wisconsin, they are an annual plant, not perennial . Hostas are beautiful, they do flower, and the many varieties are extensive. Some even like the sun!
Kathi S
on Jun 27, 2014
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And they are so easy to take the booms when they dry, lay them down where you want more and woohoo...you have more! You only have to buy a few and in one year if you put the seed down on the ground, the bed will be filled.
Jeanette S
on Jun 27, 2014
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Bleeding Hearts, Hostas, and Monk Hood I have under mine with than I fill in with Inpatients which i have to replace them every year cause they are an annual. They fill in beautiful though with the Hostas.
Gloria W
on Jun 27, 2014
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Hosta, hosta, hosta. Can't go wrong with them. Mix the types up or keep them all the same - they still make an impact!
Dorth
on Jun 27, 2014
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Sweet Woodruff and varigated hostas?
Cathy
on Jun 27, 2014
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Epimediums, pink and white calladiums or a light color hosta..They will look "light" in the shade and really stand out. Check local extension service or nursery for locality heat tolerance.
Sheila D
on Jun 27, 2014
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Iwould go with a combo of pachysandra, hostas of a few different colors, Japanese painted fern or other pretty fern and maybe some cast iron plant.
Mandy Loriot
on Jun 27, 2014
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Maybe it has taken this long for it to work its way down here to Georgia! Nurseries are carrying it, but there are signs up warning customers of the risks involved if they do choose to buy it. It sounds like it might not be anything permanent that will preclude our using impatiens... I absolutely love them in the shade and would hate not to have them around anymore!
RoseMary Wells
on Jun 27, 2014
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Here in OH...I have a large red maple tree. A lady gave me a start of loosestrife...which some people and states would consider a weed...as it becomes invasive. Personally I like it --- It comes in white, yellow and purple and some people call it "gooseneck" as the blooms remind you of a goose with a long neck. YES....it can take over but personally that is exactly what I wanted under my tree. I too have planted hostas and lilies of the valley under a shade tree. Loosestrife is about 24 to 26" high. I even have it growing in a small section on the side of my house as I could not get anything to grow there. You can google or bing it...for a picture.
JBug
on Jun 28, 2014
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Hosta. Watch out for the bunnies though ; )
Melinda Lockwood
on Jun 28, 2014
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CORAL BELLS Beautiful color, come back every yr, as hardy as hostas, mix w/some ferns...BEAUTIFUL! They come in 50 different shades...I have about 25...go to the hosta direct website, or even Lowes and home depot have some. Peach, purple w/pink flecks, lime green, copper, purple w/silver leaves. Can u tell I LOVE them!
Dtu186937
on Jun 28, 2014
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Perennials....hosta (there are sizes from sieboldia that is huge blue/green quilted looking to little bitty things that are no more than a foot across when fully grown clumps.....and from those blue green colors to green/gold like Guacamole, to variegated leaves with white/gold splotches, stripes, edges or centers), sweet woodruff, Chinese wild ginger, heuchera (coral bells....foliage plants that run the gamut from deep purple to bright gold/peach...flowers are not terribly important but they do bloom....there is a hybrid that has the foliage coloring from the coral bells and flowers from the foam flower parent...very attractive), astilbe, ferns, dwarf hydrangea, aralia, dwarf mondo grass and more. Also look at things like blue or gold toned "rug" type junipers. Annuals....impatiens, coleus (combine deep purple, bright autumn tone reds and a lime green with yellow edges...eye catching....and you can take cuttings in the fall, root and have houseplants through the winter and your own starts to put out the next spring), begonias of all kinds...(fibrous or tuberous...Rex types come in some wild colors and leave patterns..got a couple this year that has leaves that look like a whirlpool!), some shade loving vegies (multiple colors of lettuce for instance) or use potted plants from the house that you can just take in in the fall (after checking for and getting rid of any bugs they get).
Dorothy
on Jun 28, 2014
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DOROTHY--WOW!! I HAVE THE OPPOSITE PROBLEM--TRYING TO FIND ENUF SHADE TO GROW ALL THESE SHADE PLANTS I LOVE. I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF ALL THE SHADE UNDER MY TREES! I HAVE SOME OUT BY MY CARRIGANA HEDGE, BUT NOT SURE THAT'S BEST; THEY'RE VERY THIRSTY I WAS TOLD. PLUS STILL TOO MUCH SUN HITS THEM BECAUSE OF WHERE THEY R LOCATED.
BONNIE J
on Jun 28, 2014
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How about some of the "new hydrangeas. I think they are called "Cityline" They stay rather small. Also, I have planted a perennial begonia that turns red in the winter under some trees and so far, so good. Creeping jenny is a great ground cover for shade and sun. Comes in two colors, The Golden Jenny is lime green and the other is a darker green. I love a combination of both. It can be hard to find but Jeepers Creepers is online and they will send to you. I have had several shipments from them and been very happy with the quality of their plants
Sharon Kavanagh
on Jun 28, 2014
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Light colored hosts, I'd check with a local nursery or extension agent though, host as do need some sun. One of my favorites is a variety called "golden prayer". It is a beautiful bright green/gold color. I can't get it to grow in my yard, but I'll keep trying different spots till it I find a place it will grow
Kate Chatterton
on Jun 28, 2014
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Impatiens are an annual that loves shade or indirect light. They come in a variety of colors.
Enjb
on Jun 29, 2014
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Host as of varying colors and Impatients (for filler 1st year). The Hostas will come back year after year and get will fill the space.
Lena Cogdill
on Jun 29, 2014
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A lot of coleus do very well in shade and they provide a lot of very pretty color variety. Pinching out the centers will encourage bushy growth. It is an annual where you live but at the end of the season I take 6" -8" cuttings, put them in water and watch them sprout. I have left in the water through the winter but you need to change the water or you can plant them in pots after the roots have filled out. In the spring plant them back outside.
Nancy Hatcher
on Jun 29, 2014
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Hosts or moneywort
Sandy Hunt
on Jun 30, 2014
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I like holly fern in shade and pill bugs leave it alone too.
Patsy K
on Jul 01, 2014
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Thank you for your input.....I'll be checking it out!! :)
Cindy Carley
on Jul 01, 2014
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DOUGLAS, I GOT A POST FROM YOU, BUT COULDN'T GET TO THE PAGE TO READ YOUR REPLY? BJ.
BONNIE J
on Jul 02, 2014
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Hosta plants work under my very large maple tree. There are verigated ones that break up solid green and they spread out every year.
Trish A Comey
on Jul 04, 2014
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Thank you for your suggestion!! Will be purchasing lots of hostas in the near future!!
Cindy Carley
on Jul 06, 2014
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I would say: zinnias- they love shade, they are colourful and easy to maintenance. I've got some luck with fuchsias planted in a shady places, so I would give it a try.Also: ferns!
Mila Myk
on Jul 07, 2014
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Great ideas and never thought of zinnias or ferns..........excellent!! Thank you so much for your ideas!!! :)
Cindy Carley
on Jul 07, 2014
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Astilbe are beautiful and hardy they have fern like foliage with tall colorful with tall plumelike flowers in different shades of pink, white, red, and purple. Tilliums are another beautiful shade flower very hardy come in white yellow and a deep red. Helleborus, one of my favorites, come in many different colors and is one of the first to bloom in late winter or early spring. There are many, many beautiful shade loving perennials.
Patty
on Jul 09, 2014
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Thank you, "EVERYONE"..........your insight has helped us tremendously!!!! :)
Cindy Carley
on Jul 14, 2014
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Hosta is a shade plant
Hollie Weatherford
on Aug 05, 2014
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Yes, we found that out........and we did decide to plant lots of different types under the tree!! Thank you for your comment!
Cindy Carley
on Aug 06, 2014
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