#shade garden

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Friday 19 April 2024

In the shade of a woodland garden the Anemone blanda (winter windflower, Balkan anemone) were flowering. The flowers are an intense blue, but the species can produce shades of pink and white. This spreading perennial here contrasts with the silver evergreen foliage of Lamium maculatum 'Beacon Silver' (spotted deadnettle).

Jill Raggett

[vandaliatraveler]

Update on the native wildflower shade garden . . .

Since my last post about the sharp-lobed hepatica several weeks ago, the wildflowers in the shade garden have made a significant push. All of the live plants I put in the ground last fall have made it through the winter, and many of the seeds I planted have germinated and sprouted. Quick survey:

Top: the spreading Jacob's ladder (Polemonium reptans) is mounding beautifully and positively dripping with violet-blue, bell-shaped flowers. The plant lures many pollinators, including bees, flies, butterflies, moths, and beetles. And that foliage is so lush and green . . .

Next one: woodland stonecrop (Sedum ternatum) has established itself in the nooks and crannies of one of my rock features and is getting ready to bloom.

Next two: although the sharp-lobed hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba) has nearly finished blooming, the real joy starts for me when the leathery, thrice-lobed leaves with their often deeply-variegated patterns begin to unfold. This is flat-out one of the most unique and gorgeous wildflowers of North America.

Next one: creeping woodland phlox (Phlox stolonifera) makes for an enchanting ground cover and will spread quite rapidly in the right conditions. I have strong feelings for all the native phlox species, but this one has stolen my heart. It's native to a narrow strip of the Appalachian Mountains from Georgia to Pennsylvania. In the spring around here, it absolutely lights up streambanks with its dainty pink to rose-colored flowers.

Next one: dwarf-crested iris (Iris cristata) is another lovely groundcover but beware - it spreads like wildfire. The lavender and yellow to orange-crested flowers are a treasure to behold from late April to early May. And its arrow-like foliage provides much-needed contrast in the garden.

Next: among the seeds I planted, the yellow pimpernel (Taenidia integerrima) is making the strongest push. The plant produces yellow-flowered umbels similar to golden Alexanders and is a high-value nectar source for many pollinators. It's also the host plant for the black swallowtail and Ozark swallowtail butterflies.

Next two: anyone who visits this Tumblr regularly needs no introduction to heartleaf foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia), my unofficial poster child for Appalachian spring. I simply would not have a native wildflower garden without it. One of my foamflowers is a hybrid (sugar and spice) cultivated for its deeply dissected leaves and intense variegation.

Last (but not least): my eastern red columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) pretty much takes cares of itself - it's one of the best starter wildflowers for beginner gardeners, hardy and undemanding. But man, does it produce loads of beautiful red and yellow, bell-shaped flowers.

[nncastle]

More blooms for your TL. :D Have a great day everyone.

[valonychroms]

Landscape - Traditional Landscape Inspiration for a traditional partial sun front yard stone landscaping.

[lovercraft]

Traditional Landscape in Dallas This is an illustration of a front yard stone landscaping with traditional partial sun.

[clare3dx-inspiration]

Backyard Brick Pavers in Chicago Inspiration for a large, traditional backyard with a metal fence and partial sunlight in the summer.

[screamflydream]

Fireplace - Shabby-chic Style Landscape Inspiration for a mid-sized, partially shaded, drought-tolerant, concrete paver backyard with a fireplace in the summer.

[gardenvarietygay]

Three years ago, I planted a bare root of Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) at my parents’ house in their shade garden. They were not interested in it, it never leafed out, and I figured it hadn’t made it. Today, on the very first day that my first ever nibling was born, my dad texted me the above picture. It had never even put out leaves before, I think it might be growing well because this is the first year I’ve convinced my dad to just leave the leaves in place and not disturb the beds. It’s just one stem and another further back but I feel very happy, I’m sure it will spread into a drift.

[gardeningabc]

🌻🌿 Make your garden pop with vibrant marigolds! But, did you know that not all marigold varieties can thrive in shady areas?

If you're planting in an area with less than six hours of sun, make sure to choose a shade-tolerant variety for the best results. 🌞

Let us help you pick the right one! 🌱🌼

[jillraggett]

Plant of the Day

Friday 29 December 2023

A semi-evergreen, clump forming fern, Dryopteris erythrosora (copper shield fern, Japanese shield fern) has glossy coppery young fronds that turn green as they mature. This plant needs a sheltered site with a humus rich soil.

Jill Raggett

[zaynmalks]

Chicago Pathway Landscape

[madibert]

Landscape - Fountain Design concepts for a small stone water fountain landscape in an Asian-inspired backyard.

[nncastle]

Shady bits...

[gobuyussomecoffee]

Landscape - Fountain Inspiration for a sizable contemporary water feature.

[carlagriffin]

Fireplace in Atlanta

An example of a mid-sized shabby-chic style drought-tolerant and partial sun backyard concrete paver landscaping with a fireplace in summer.

[carinuseanpaganism]

Gravel Backyard a picture of a sizable contemporary gravel retaining wall landscape in the shade and tolerance to drought in the spring.