What to plant in 100% shade?
I have a small, 2 1/2' X 4' area that has 100% shade that I would like to plant something (hopefully with flowers). It will get plenty of warmth, but no direct sunlight. Any suggestions? I am in Arizona (very dry, hot).
I have a small, 2 1/2' X 4' area that has 100% shade that I would like to plant something (hopefully with flowers). It will get plenty of warmth, but no direct sunlight. Any suggestions? I am in Arizona (very dry, hot).
gardengallivant
Favorite Answer
Most of the plants that grow in full canopied forests are adapted to light before the leaves break so will bloom before the camopy fills in. Some of these will do quite well on the north side of buildings where they get only indirect light all day if their other growing requirements are met. Most of them will need moisture by regular watering.
Some like ephemerals, plants that go dormant during the dry season like tulips or shooting star (Dodecatheon meadia), vary widely in their light requirements. Tulips are out, as are iris, as they need full sun but shooting stars might work if they will tolerate the heat. Look at bleeding heart, hostas, ferns, lily of the valley. Solomon's seal or any of the Polygonatum family might work well. Sweet woodruff blooms white and is fragrant, Vinca (periwinkle), Kenilworth ivy (this is a trailing plant Cymbalaria muralis with no relation to English ivy) are possible ground covers.
I grow Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegatum' or variegated gout weed with oxalis and sweet woodruff under my fir trees, in sandy soil, by adding lots of compost and watering. Mixed in are trilliums, hostas, and merrybells. However I live in zone 7 so summer heat is only in the 90's. My problem is the drought during July and August every year. So ephemerals like the shooting stars and merrybells are great then the ground covers help keep the soil moist and cool. I mulch then every spring after the winter rains to replace whatever is leached out.
For very early color in an ephemeral I like Ranunculus ficaria but note this is considered invasive in parts of the country.
Anonymous
Ferns, Azaleas, Caladiums. Some flowers grow in shade. Do a search on the net and you will get hundreds of ideas.
deepseaofblankets
Your plants will need some light to survive, and flowers usually need some seasonal change in lighting to bloom, so you mgith not be able to plants flowers. Sago Palms, cactus plants and some ferns might work.
amnothingspecial
Impatiens
Anonymous
Mushrooms, if not add a small pond & put some water lilly in it.