Make the dark corners of your garden shine
There are many different types of shade, and when low light levels combine with other soil or climate challenges, it can be tricky to find suitable plants. Fortunately, the guests on this episode have a great list of shade plants that perform well in a variety of shady situations. Listen along to see if any of their problem-solving plant choices are worthy of adding to your wish list.
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Episode Experts:
- Irvin Etienne is curator of herbaceous plants and seasonal garden design at Newfields in Indianapolis.
- Hayes Jackson is an urban regional extension agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System and the liaison for Longleaf Botanical Garden in Anniston, Alabama.
Hayes’s favorite shade-loving plants for tough conditions
- Needle palm (Rhapidophyllum hystrix, Zones 6b–10)
- ‘Spek-tacular’ cast-iron plant (Aspidistra sichuanensis ‘Spek-tacular’, Zones 7b–10)
- ‘Lantau Lady’ Amazon sword (Echinodorus bracteatus ‘Lantau Lady’, Zones 7b–11)
- Adinandra (Adinandra millettii, Zones 7–8)
- Chinese plum yew (Cephalotaxus fortunei, Zones 7–9)
- ‘Prairie Snow’ downy skullcap (Scutellaria incana ‘Prairie Snow’, Zones 4–9)
Irvin’s favorite shade-loving plants for tough conditions
- ‘Haas’ Halo’ smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ‘Haas’ Halo’, Zones 3–9)
- Broad-leaf sedge (Carex platyphylla, Zones 4–8)
- Japanese yellow sage (Salvia koyamae, Zones 4–10)
- Appalachian bugbane (Actaea rubifolia, Zones 4–8)
- Balfour’s touch-me-not (Impatiens balfourii, Zones 5–9)
- Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum and cvs., Zones 5–8)
Photos by contributors unless otherwise noted.
See More:
Super Cool Plants Episode 4: Plants for Drought
Drought-Tolerant Trees and Shrubs for Your Landscape
See More Podcast Episodes
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