A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2005 60 to 95% shade loving bloomers?

the side walk leading to front door has roof over hang entire length of walkway.(15-20 ft). The previous owners made flowers beds on both sides of sidewalk leading to door the closer to the door the more shade they had only put in white rock appearently they couldn't get anything to grow its such a waste of space, I want to know what I can put there that will bloom or have beautiful foliage there spring -fall,, I've done some research, but am also inlisting your help, I planted hybird tea roses at the beginning of the walk-way(on each side) which have bloomed wonderfully and still are they get late afternoon and evening sun .. but from that point on towards the door there's hardley any full sun. I really don't want anything getting taller than 2 - 3 ft tall after that ,, any suggestions that I don't have to replant every year in zone 7 Thanks for any input I'd like to get the rocks out and prepare ground for spring planting now Tx winters are mild and don't last long.. Thanks so much

Lilies of the valley can grow just about anywhere's....but can get out of hand if let
spread, which isn't a bad thing where I live,
as I don't plant anything there and they're okay..

Also, Soloman's Seal, Ferns', Pulmonaria's,
Columbines'....

Hosta's for green, blood leaf for red/purple, althought there are also varieties in the green silver range of the bloodleaf. Primroses, love lies bleeding. Lobelia, 'cardinal flower'. I don't like red do I lol. I'm noticing a definite pattern here lol. The christmas roses are shade loving and so are the heuchera 'ruby bells' along with several other varieties that will give you a much of color choices in the foliage.

Needless to say they are almost more shade loving plants than there are sunny ones I think. Or at least most of them that I am drawn to are the shade loving ones.

Good luck with your new home.

Here's a picture of the Lungwort - Mrs. Moon /Pulmonaria saccharata \'Mrs. Moon\' they have beautiful flowers that change from blue*ish* purple then to pink*ish* purple... and the leaves have really pretty white or silver*ish* dots on them all summer long.. and if you leave them be, and flower, they'll spread for you, not invasively either.
Also another one that is pretty that I grow is
Jacob\'s Ladder
and they come in the plant has white flowers too...
andddddddd another one that has variegated leaves of white and green all summer long.

Thanks again Weezie I really like the mrs moon. I already have jacobs ladder in the back yard...Hey I didn't think about those!! Great Idea as far as Mrs Moon goes should I wait untill spring or plant it now?? which season would I find it most available in nurserys???

Probably spring time... not sure for you area if it would be in stock or not????
You've got a longer growing season
than I do up here...but if you found some somewhere's, I'm sure they'd be fine if you got
them in right away!!!

Thanks, I'll make some calls!!

. Monday I'm going to start makeing calls to nurserys here to purchase now or order for spring, If you can think of anything else PLZ let me know,,, I DID see a lot of shade loving on the net but most need SOME sun to bloom, again the closest to my front door there is absolutely NO sun shine, Probably will put hosta's there,, Thanks TK!

How about some morning glories for an arbor or trellis?
Mine did great a few years ago on the north side.

P&P I never thought about that I do have open areas on both sides of sidewalk from wall to over-hang support post closest to front door ALL SHADE I COULD put trellis on each side for something to vine up ?!! I love the moon flower but believe it would require sun, I have morning glories covering an entire wall in the back yard,, thanks for the suggestion P&P I'll ask Hubby to measure and get his thought , He thinks I'm putting too much thought into this So-o-o-o glad I found this forum!!!!!!!!

Another beautiful part shade - Ligularia "Britt Marie Crawford" http://www.dutchgardens.com/SiteMap/Offers/Britt_Marie_Crawford_Ligularia.htm

Stunning large, deep purple leaves. Unique flower. Looks awesome next to variegated grass.

Also love the Pulmonaria. VERY early bloomer - tough as nails - easy to divide.

Sandy R... Thanks I checked out the site you directed me to... many more beauties there,,

I could get in SO much trouble if I spent too much time searching on-line plant catalogs!!