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Which Shade Plant to Put in Sunny Spot? WWYouD?
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Posted by missmary (My Page) on Mon, May 5, 08 at 19:48
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Zone 7
What would you do??
If you HAD to (better you don't know why) plant one of these two shade-prefering plants in a full sun area, which one would it be....??
Azaela (I don't know the variety)
or
Otto Luyken Laurel
Miss Mary |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Which Shade Plant to Put in Sunny Spot? WWYouD?
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Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials
RE: Which Shade Plant to Put in Sunny Spot? WWYouD?
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| here is an easy way to define your concern .... all plants need sun .. to produce food .. to live and thrive ... NOTHING GROWS IN THE DARK... some plants are shade TOLERANT .... to some extent or another ... NOT MANY plants NEED shade ... the best example.. is hosta ... most peeps think they NEED shade ... wrong.. they grow incredibly well in full sun ... depending on how far south you are and your ability to provide the requisite water ... they TOLERATE shade better than a lot of plants ... but what i can get away with up here in the great white north is different than south GA ... all that said .. research each plant ... and the more you read.. the more you will define how much sun they can tolerate .. then add in your zone [i can get away with a lot more up north here because the sun is less intense] ... and then add water and summer heat info ... then.. when your head is spinning.. ask us.. lol ken |
RE: Which Shade Plant to Put in Sunny Spot? WWYouD?
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| Miss Mary~ Where in zone 7 you live is also a factor. I'm in zone 5 Chicago, which is different from zone 5 Colorado. I think the soil you grow in, and the summer heat or humidity are just as important as the minimum winter temperatures. Microclimate in your yard is another often overlooked factor. As long as the leaves aren't scorched, and the plant is putting out new growth and/or setting flower buds, you're good. I was pleasantly surprised to find that my Rosebud azalea not only survived winter, it is loaded with little pink buds! It's on the edge of the drip line of a Crimson Norway maple of all things! Now I've got to go and mumble some words over it, lest it get any ideas...LOL. |
RE: Which Shade Plant to Put in Sunny Spot? WWYouD?
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I would go with the Azalea, knowing the variety would help, rather then the laurel. I have always thought that the larger the leaf surface of a plant, the more shade they can tolerate. Larger leaf surface helps the plant take in more light in an limited light situation. Most needle evergreens, with their small leaf surface (needles) need lots of sun to grow where as broader,larger leafed plants are happer with some shade. The winter sun seems to hurt them the most. When sun is beating down on them and the ground isn't sufficiently suppling water to the roots the plants lose moisture from the sun and arn't able to reblenish it.
Of course there are lots of exceptions but it is a good guide line, IMO.
Azaleas, depending on which type, can suffer with lace bug when planted in full sun. Good Luck
Ally |
RE: Which Shade Plant to Put in Sunny Spot? WWYouD?
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- Posted by kaky 7b SC (My Page) on
Wed, May 14, 08 at 3:08
| I have my Otto Luyken Laurels in what I now know is more shade then they really like. I have them along the foundation and half get more shade, half get more sun. The ones in the sun flower less well and are probably less healthy but there's no doubt they are growing and thriving. ... Here in the South, I see many old azaleas in full sun. My guess is that many were in the shade as "youngsters." I have burned up two "snow" azalea with too much sun. ... But they may be fussier than I thought when I bought them. |
RE: Which Shade Plant to Put in Sunny Spot? WWYouD?
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Miss Mary
Why not pick a shrub that does well in the sun?
You know the saying right plant right place.
When you try to force plants into conditions that they do not do well in - it results in stress for the plants.
For example in zone 6 if you plant azaela in sun there is a licklyhood that the plant may be subject to lacebugs. An ugly site - they basically suck the green from the leaves.
Doesn't always happen, but I have seen enough examples that would force me to plant azaelea's only where there is at least a little shade.
Otto Luyken is not very exciting, it blooms for a short time then you have green leaves. It is a great plant for someone that want an evergreen for shade conditions, but it is not too exciting. Now I am sure there are many that like Otto - but I would rather a viburum or wieglia or anything that has more than one season of interest. LOL Mike |
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