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Colour here?
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Posted by
rouge21 5b (
My Page) on
Sun, Dec 4, 11 at 16:16
My gardens that I am proud of are beyond the gate into my backyard. But as you can see, just on this side of the gate is barren in terms of colour. The neighbour's property is on the left but I am confident he would be agreeable to me putting some perennial/annuals in that area next spring. However this area, albeit quite small has some challenges:
- between two houses and facing north so very much in shade
- downspout is hidden in that (Alberta?) Spruce and so the strip under discussion can get inundated with rain water
- that spruce does shed some needles so a bit acidic
What perennials or annuals or ground cover would be able to ....could I say thrive here?
Are there any suggestion |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Colour here?
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| Pachysandra likes acid soil & thrives in moist shade. It spreads but not particularly fast. Annuals -- why not some bright-colored coleus or variegated New Guinea impatiens? Japanese sedge 'Ice Dance' is virtually care- & pest-free but wouldn't add much in the way of color. Persian shield is a dark purple foliage shade annual. Lady's mantle/alchemilla mollis does well in both shade and sun. It has sprays of tiny yellow flowers in early summer. Brunnera/bugloss 'Jack Frost' would brighten the spot with its silvery foliage but they're popular so pricey as a result. Hosta 'Dancing in the Rain' is a smallish plant with white leaves narrowly edged in green. Astilbe likes moist soil and is available with lavender, white, pink or red flower plumes. Pulmonaria/lungwort is another shade lover with attractive foliage. |
RE: Colour here?
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| The space looks to me like you need something that is not too tall and would not flop over onto the walkway. Heuchera is very well behaved amd comes in vivid colors. Lots to choose from. Some have red flowers to go along with the foliage and a long bloom period. When not in bloom, you will still have color. I have several that lie just under the drip line of the eaves so get a lot of water at times. They do tend to heave in winter, but are easily reset in spring if necessary. |
RE: Colour here?
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| Thanks for the replies gazania and gardenweed_z6a. I agree that I need to select low lying plants for this small area. I think I will go with several 'garden variety' shade impatience and maybe a "Jack Frost" brunera or "Ice Dance" grass. |
RE: Colour here?
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| i have often found it hard to garden at the base of a downspout ... the rains tend to wash away soil and/or mulch ... there may be no rain water issues as is .... but you might create one.. think about it ... ken |
RE: Colour here?
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| I agree the downspout location may make it too problematic but given that it is quite a small area under consideration it won't be time consuming nor expensive to experiment this spring with some plantings. |
RE: Colour here?
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| I have huechera planted near my downspout but not right in front of it. Set the plants to the side a bit and the leaves will grow out to cover that area but the crown is away from the rushing water. Could also do that with colorful large leaved hostas. |
RE: Colour here?
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| If you plant Carex Ice Dance, it is a lovely and vigorous plant that will easily spread to cover this whole area. Does not mind shade or water from downspout and is EVERGREEN. You could start with one plant and allow it to fill in the area. Plant some annuals for a couple of years until the Ice Dance has a chance to do its thing. |
RE: Colour here?
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I'd put hostas in there. Just my idea.
Duane |
RE: Colour here?
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| I think I agree with you Duane. I will try a hosta and or some heuchera. |
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