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Saturday 11th February, 2023
Hi
Call it shade, dappled light, semi shade,
I find myself often using the phrase, technically, that a plant is a shade plant, but what is shade in the garden? It can mean different things. Some think of shade gardens as no sun or all day shade with quite low light levels and to be honest these positions are often the hardest to plant. A garden that gets all the morning sun, even into the early afternoon, could be classified as a shade garden as the position is shielded from the hot afternoon heat. Of course there is the other way around of being shaded in the morning and really hot in the afternoon both of which are exacerbated by the seasons. Then of course there is the obvious north facing and all day sun which really isn't shaded at all.
The truth of the matter is that there are not too many plants that like all day shade, or for that matter, all day sun. Then there is the fact that plants are living and adaptable and can be more or less tolerant of their, perhaps, designated preference of sun or shade. Add to all of this, the actual position, perhaps north facing and in front of a block wall that holds additional heat, the soil type being either sandy and porous or heavier wet soils that all in their own way accentuate the sun or shade.
Seeing this piece is about shade, those really shady or all day shade positions are often the hardest to plant because most plants actually prefer dappled light or perhaps just some protection from the hottest or sunniest part of the day. Shade gardens more often than not, are not brightly coloured but rather rely of the use of contrast, colour and texture of foliage for effect but with some flower highlights for when they do bloom.
We all probably know that Camellias, Rhodos, Azaleas and many more are technically shade/semi shade plants but probably none of these thrive in all day shade or positions of really low light. I will add here too that different cultivars or species in turn will tolerate more or less of the shade and light. Lets take Camellias for an example. Many Camellias will cope in positions of all day sun but perhaps not in combination with sandy dry soils and/ or against a brick wall holding the heat.
Clivias, Mondo grass and Liriopes are examples that do like quite shaded positions in the garden and these will exhibit yellowing on their leaves if they are in a spot that gets too much sun for their liking. Interestingly enough these also are tolerant of quite dry places and so under established trees can be quite good choices as is a shrub called Aucuba.
I really like liriopes as they are so tough and hardy. Fabulous dark green strappy leaved foliage and pretty grape hyacinth like flowers in summer. I love these plants mass planted or even as border planting to give oomph and or definition. Check out Muscari, Royal purple, Monroe white. Then there is one called Ena, a muscari form with attractive variegated foliage which will just ping in a shaded garden. Interestingly enough some of these variegated plants like more shade than less as the variegation or lack of chlorophyll is more susceptible to the suns rays. These plants mostly tend to clump though some will spread further than others. Plant at around 30 to 40 cm spacing to cover the ground and exclude light and weeds.
Reineckia Carnea is another little known plant for the semi shaded garden. Somewhat similar to Liriope but with more upright foliage. This one will spread like a ground cover. Small stems carry pretty starry pink flowers.
Ligularia reniformis has become quite popular and I can see why. Fabulous foliage has earn't it the nickname of tractor seat plant. These look pretty cool mass planted especially in combination with other foliage either strappy leaves like liriopes or coloured foliage of Hostas.
Hostas are a real favourite of mine as there is nothing like the new foliage as it appears first thing in Spring. There are just so many gorgeous ones to choose from. They seem to come in many sizes from the very large to the quite small and of course there are many of a medium size. Leaf colours and variegation's are their claim to fame. These plants like dappled light and that can vary to how much shade to sun they can tolerate depending on the colours of their leaves. I would say that all (never say all rather most) blue and green forms are more tolerant either way but some of the very yellowish leaves seem to need to be in just the right position. Hostas do like plenty of mulch or compost and prefer to be on the moist side of things rather than drier. Again look amazing mass planted in groups but I would suggest alongside either evergreens like hellebores Liropes ligularias etc.
Pachysandra terminalis. I don't know any common name, but another great spreading ground-cover that is not invasive and suits semi shade gardens Pleasant green leaves and attractive terminal white flowers.
Looking for something that grows somewhat bigger then take a look at Aucuba japonica also known as Japanese laurel. These are plants that are really tough and hardy and do like those quite shaded positions in the garden and can cope with the dry too. Often with yellow splotched leaves that really suit shade as it looks like the suns coming through or adds a brightness to an otherwise quite dark position. There are also quite a few green forms with attractive leaves like a couple that we have in stock right now called Mr and Mrs Green probably named as these are usually separate male and female plants and the female has attractive waxy red berries.
Fatsia Japonica makes for another large shrub and with really quite stunning foliage that could be used in a tropical garden but really does like a shaded area. Panicles of white flowers. Another one for perhaps at the back of a shaded border.
Its interesting but no matter how long I have been in horticulture you never know all the answers though, you get how it should be in most cases but plants or living things that we are dealing with here often surprise me with their adaptability. Sometimes you should just give it a whirl and the results may be just what you are after.
February 25% deals and its still great planting weather esp as its warm and wet
Camellias, Rhodos and Azaleas of the deciduous kind all 25% discounted, Great plants but we just need to pave the way for the coming season. Plants for the semi shade garden and these all like to be fed with acid or Camellia and Rhodo fertiliser.
Pip and stone fruit trees includes Apples, Pears, Apricots, Cherries, Peaches, Nectarines and Plums.. I have a plan to rearrange things in the garden centre and need the space to do so (always a project) all 25% off.. There are even some Peaches and Nectarines and Almonds for just $20 each but not available for mail order, collection only.
Hostas 25 % off all stock.. We have grown most of these and they are now quite chunky crowns being in their second year. Good value for mass planting in those dappled light areas and contrast with liriopes and the like.
Avocados...25% off... a good time now to get these in and set up before the cooler months. Great plants and 4 cultivars to choose from
Lavenders. all remaining plants 25% discounted, Now this one is for a sunny disposition and all day at that.
Angela's mentions and just arrived!!!
Hebe Heebe Jeebies A great compact hebe that we don't often have as their is only one supplier that grows this one and we have it in now. Pretty purple mauve flowers on a healthy plants...
Lagerstroemia great shrubs or trees for the garden and these flower in the summer month. Lagerstroemia Soire D Ete. Soire D Ete has bunches of Pink/Lavender flowers from summer to autumn, and an attractive bronze-green foliage and smooth bark. train as a largish shrub or as a small tree.
Lagerstroemia Best red. A newbie over the past couple of years but this one has the bonus of having stunning red foliage which is a feature in itself and deep red flowers. A good choice for something a tad different as a feature tree.
Abelia Raspberry Profusion NEW RELEASE. With its compact nature its almost non-stop flowering will look stunning in a pot or in the garden or even a hedge. Glossy green foliage is topped with masses of raspberry pink blooms that maintain their colour as they turn to seed heads. Easy care
Gaura Steffi Grace. A gorgeous compact, free flowering perennial that is hardy and easy to grow. Large deep pink flowers on tall stems from spring right through and into autumn.
OMG another cyclone and potentially wet weekend, Hopefully that it's going to slide right off NZ and keep out of all of our way as we have had enough rain for one summer. A few more fine weeks would be nice, so we can say we have had some summer weather before we head into March, which dare I say it, will be the first month of Autumn.
I hope that all have had some sort of holiday or at least some time to rest and recharge as we head back into routine of school and our normal working lives.
In the garden there will be plenty to do as there has been no stopping the growth this year, thanks to rain and warmth. I find that it's always easier to keep on top of things than let them get away on you.
The garden centre is looking pretty tidy with all the tables repainted this year, the guys have patched all the gravel paths and all the plants are looking pretty spick and span. The second side of the gate is being completed and so it's another week before we can have both sides open. If coming to the nursery, please take care as you enter as its still only one side open.
The new dispatch shed has its roof beams showing and now I can see how it's going to look and I'm pretty happy that its going to make the back of the garden centre look quite the part. The trees that we could leave there, will certainly provide a backdrop and it will look as if it's always been there.
Whatever you have planned for the weekend make the most of it in case that storm does slide our ways!
All the very best from Lloyd, Tony and the Wairere team
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