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GARDENING WITH LANDSCAPE PLANTS IN SHADE IN CALIFORNIA
EHS 232 - Project: Shade Gardening
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC PLANTS
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Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Description |
|
Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'El Dorado' |
El Dorado ceanothus |
Gold-edged foliage is a dramatic back-drop to the profusion of almost sky-blue spring flowers. |
|
Cordyline terminalis (C. fruticans) |
Ti plant |
Related to the dracaena, the cultivar options offer choices between plant size and leaf color. 'Diamond Sunrise' is an intermediate-sized ti (3-4'), with leaves that are striped yellow, green, with pink shading throughout the leaves and darker pink/red on |
|
Hydrangea macrophylla 'Variegata' |
Bigleaf hydrangea |
Bold shrub with bright-green foliage edged in white, and pinkish-white flowers. |
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Loropetalum chinense, 'Burgandy' |
Fringe flower |
Cultivars offer a range of foliage color from purple to burgandy, accenting the bright-pink fringe-like flowers and compact, arching-branch form. |
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Nandina domestica |
Heavenly bamboo |
Delicate, lacy shrub, with creamy-yellow blossoms followed by bright-red berries and foliage that ranges from green to pink to bronze to purple, depending on season. |
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Pieris japonica 'Variegata' |
Variegated Japanese Pieris |
White-edged variegation of dark-green leaves borne on tiered stems, which are highlighted by drooping clusters of white bell-shaped flowers. |
|
Vinca minor 'Illumination' |
Dwarf periwinkle |
Less invasive than V. major; shiny dark-green leaves edged in yellow, and periwinkle flowers. |
SHADE HERBACEOUS PERENNIAL PLANTS WITH SHOWY FLOWERS
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Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Description |
|
Buddleja davidii 'Monrell' |
Strawberry lemonade butterfly bush |
Long, arching lilac-like rich-pink flowers borne at the end of arching stems with cream-to-yellow-edged green leaves. |
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Camelia japonica |
Camelia |
Thousands of cultivars offer a wide variety of flower forms, colors, and variegations, borne on various-sized shrubs, all with rich, glossy, dark-green leaves. |
|
Carpenteria californica |
Bush anemone |
Clusters of eye-catching, "fried-egg" camelia-like flowers light up the dark-green foliage. Older bark develops character. |
|
Galvezia speciosa |
Island bush snapdragon |
Clusters of red, snapdragon-like, 1" flowers adorn this mounding, spreading California native, which can reach as far as 15' wide. |
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Gardenia jasminoides |
Gardenia |
Numerous cultivars offer a wide range of plant size, form, and white-flower sizes and forms. The gardenia is planted for it's rich, glossy-green foliage, and it's pure-white, fragrant blooms. |
|
Heteromeles arbutifolia |
Toyon |
Following small, white flowers in summer, fall-winter bright-red "berries" augment the leathery, dark-green, shiny leaves on this large shrub/ small tree. |
|
Hypericum calycinum |
Creeping St. Johnswort |
Sturdy groundcover, with bright-yellow center-staminated flowers. |
|
Mahonia aquifolium |
Oregon grape |
Narrow spikes of yellow flowers (followed by clusters of dark-blue berries) top glossy, divided and spined leaves of this hardy, drought-tolerant shrub. Striking fall color for this evergreen is an added bonus. |
|
Melianthus major |
Honey bush |
This striking shrub features bold grey-green deeply cut, 12" leaves and huge bronze flower spikes. The lush, tropical appearance of this plant belies its ability to tolerate drier conditions. |
|
Mimulus aurantiacus |
Sticky monkey flower |
The subspecies offer flowers ranging from pale yellow to peach, cream to orange-yellow, and deep red, which are borne on a many-branched shrub to 4' tall, with lance-shaped, crisp "sticky" leaves. |
|
Penstemon gracilis |
Slender penstemon |
This low-growing penstemon has lavender tubular flowers with soft-yellow throats, serving as a great draw for hummingbirds. |
|
Plumbago auriculata |
Cape plumbago |
Long, arching branches feature medium-green leaves and sky-blue phlox-like flowers. |
|
Ribes speciosum |
Fuchsia-flowering gooseberry |
Spiny, rigid stems with thick, maple-like dark-green leaves contrast the fuchsia-like, pendulous, orange-red to crimson to cherry-red flowers. |
|
Salvia spathacea |
Hummingbird sage |
Show-stopping whorls of magenta flowers are carried on stems that arise 2-3' above the mass of large, arrow-shaped, corrugated leaves, for an overall height of up to 5' or more; delicate, fruity sent to foliage. |
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Tibouchina urvilleana |
Princess flower |
This open-growth shrub has beautifully rich, purple flowers over a long season, which complement the fuzzy green foliage. |
|
Vinca major |
Bigleaf periwinkle |
Vigorous, dependable groundcover, with shiny dark-green leaves and periwinkle flowers. |
SHADE PERENNIALS WITH SHOWY FOLIAGE
Scientific Name Common Name Description Ajuga reptans 'Bronze Beauty' Bronze Beauty carpet bugle Rich, violet-blue flowers on spikes rise from a dense mat of glossy, bronzish foliage. Aspidistra elatior 'Variegata' Variegated cast-iron plant This extremely hardy, shade-tolerant plant has large (2') upright lance-shaped green leaves with creamy-white stripes. Small, purple-brown flowers can appear in the spring at the plant's base. Canna indica; hybrids Canna lily Numerous cultivars provide numerous options for size and color of this lush tropical foliage plant. 'Tropicana', with its purple/burgandy foliage striped with green, yellow, coral and red, topped by bright-orange flowers, is a show-stopper. Colocasia esculenta'Black Magic' Black taro This lush tropical foliage plant boasts huge elephant-ear shaped leaves on burgandy stems. The leaves start out green with red veins, then mature to charcoal, and then dusky purple. Ensete ventricosum 'Maurelii' Red banana The deep-green-and-burgandy 10-15'-long leaves and burgandy stems make this tropical foliage plant an important addition to any tropical shade garden. Heuchera cvs. Coral bells Compact mound of leaves arise from a clump.White, pink, coral or red flowers are borne high above foliage on wiry stems. Cultivars offer a wide variety of leaf color, form, pattern. Hosta hybrids Hosta; Plantain lily Over 4000 cultivars offer a wide variety of stunning leaf color (greens, blues, yellows, white), pattern, shape and texture. Trumpet-shaped flowers are borne on stalks. Phormium hybrids New Zealand Flax The many foliage-color and size variations in multiple cultivars make this dramatic plant with sword-shaped leaves suitable for many shade gardens. Tricyrtis formosana 'Gates of Heaven' Golden toad lily Bright golden leaves are borne on stems that also carry interesting, orchid-like flowers. Trifolium repens 'Purpurascens Quadrifolium' Purple four-leaf clover This low-growing purple four-leafed clover is topped with white flowers.
SHADE PERENNIALS WITH SHOWY FLOWERS
|
Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Description |
|
Adenophora liliifolia |
Lady bells |
This is a close relative of Campanula, and has a similar appearance, only more robust. The large, nodding, blue or white, bell-shaped flowers are borne on stalks that can reach 2' in height. |
|
Alchemilla mollis |
Lady's mantle |
Huge heads of dense clusters of star-shaped bright-yellow flowers are held by stems 18" above a mass of roundish, frilly-edged leaves. |
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Aquilegia formosa |
Western columbine |
Of all the columbines, this bright-red-and-yellow-flowered species will be the brightest in a shade garden. The 1-2" flowers are borne up to 3' above the typical lacy foliage. |
|
Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' |
Purple dome aster |
This drought-tolerant New England aster forms a 2' clump of narrow, fuzzy green leaves which sends up 18" stems which, in early fall, produce a thick mass of brilliant, bright-purple flowers. |
|
Bergenia crassifolia |
Winter-blooming bergenia |
Tolerant of poor soils, full shade, and little water, Bergenia would be popular even if it didn't have such lush, dark-green, 6" cabbage-leaf-shaped leaves giving rise to a stem topped with pink, rose or lavender flowers. |
|
Campanula spp. |
Campanula |
The species of this genus offer a wide variety of variations of this shade-loving basal-leafed plant from which stalks of bell-shape flowers arise. Size ranges from petite ground-huggers to 3' tall stunners. Form ranges from upright, to groundcover, to trailing. |
|
Dicentra x 'Luxuriant' |
Luxuriant fringed bleeding heart |
Over a long blooming season, delicate clusters of red flowers follow cherry-red buds; lacy, fern-like, blue-green foliage. |
|
Digitalis purpurea 'Foxy' |
Common foxglove |
Clumps of large, fuzzy, green leaves serve as the base for the impressive stalks (3-4'+ tall) of hummingbird-attracting, tubular, pendulous flowers. |
|
Francoa ramosa |
Maiden's wreath |
Tall, slender spikes of creamy-white flowers are held atop this clump-forming perennial with large, lobed, fleshy leaves. |
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Hedychium gardnerianum |
Kahili ginger |
This hardy ginger sports fat, 18"-long spikes of yellow flowers with red stamens are borne on top of 8' stalks bearing leaves that are up to 18" long. |
|
Hyacinthoides hispanica |
Spanish bluebell |
Beautiful, nodding bell-shaped lavender, pink or white flowers form atop a 20" stem, which arises from a basal clump of green, strap-like leaves. |
|
Iris douglasiana |
Douglas iris |
This beautiful evergreen iris, with grass-like green leaves to 2', shows striking flowers in shades of white, blue and purple borne on 2'-tall stems. |
|
Kirengeshoma palmata |
Yellow waxbells |
This striking 2-4' tall perennial has large (to 8" wide), deeply lobed, maple-like leaves, and forms clusters of waxy, 18", danging, bell-shaped flowers which mature into unusual brown seed cases with horns. |
SHADE ANNUAL PLANTS WITH SHOWY FLOWERS OR FOLIAGE
Scientific Name Common Name Description Begonia semperflorens-cultorum Wax-leaf begonia Beautiful glossy green, red or bronzish foliage is covered with lots of small white, pink or red flowers, contributing to its popularity as a bedding plant for shady areas. Clarkia unguiculata Mountain garland This California native is available with either 1" single "windmill" flower shape, or in ruffled doubles, and colors include white, rose, pink, salmon, orange, crimson or very pale yellow. The flowers are held on reddish stems up to 2' tall. Coleus x hybridus Coleus The brilliantly colored foliage (greens, pinks, bronzes, reds, yellows) of this perennial-grown-as-annual make the small flower spikes a distraction. Linaria maroccana Toadflax Red, orange, yellow, or bicolor snapdragon-like flowers rise to a height of 2' over delicate foliage. Lobelia erinus Edging lobelia This dependable, popular bedding plant has delicate, whispy, green or bronze foliage which contrasts with blue-to-violet tubular, lipped flowers. Lobularia maritima Sweet alyssum A wide variety of cultivars is available for this dependable, garden staple, providing a range of colors including white, cream/pale-yellow, pale to deep rose, lavender and purple. Matthiola incana 'Imperial Giant' Imperial Giant stock This spring- and fall-flowering garden favorite carries a spicy scent to complement the 2' tall spikes of peach, pink, rose, white, or lavender double flowers. Nemophila menziesii Baby blue eyes This delicate-appearing California native has soft, fern-like foliage and beautiful 1" blue flowers with white centers. Physalis alkekengi Chinese lantern The name for this 1-2' perennial comes from the red calices which first form a lantern-shaped seed cases; the calices later skeletonize, showing the fruit inside. Tropaeolum majus 'Jewel of Africa' Jewel of Africa nasturtium Green foliage with cream-marbling variegation serves as a background for profuse flowering in a wide range of colors, including shades of strawberry and bronze.
SHADE GRASSES OR GRASS-LIKE PLANTS
|
Scientific Name |
Common Name |
Description |
|
Bambusa multiplex |
Hedge bamboo |
This bamboo forms dense clumps of slightly arching culms, and works as either an accent or hedge. |
|
Carex glauca |
Blue sedge |
Slate-blue 6-24" narrow blades arise from a slow-spreading clump. |
|
Chondropetalum tectorum |
Cape rush |
This grass-like restio, with green stiff, wiry stems topped by rust-brown flowers makes an attractive accent planting. |
|
Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata' |
Variegated Flax Lily |
Boldly striped, blade-like foliage is complemented by tall, slender stalks of bright-blue flowers, which are followed by rich turquoise berries. |
|
Leymus condensatus |
Wild rye grass |
This slate-blue or green California native grass can reach a 9' height in bloom. |
|
Liriope muscari 'Variegata' |
Variegated Lily Turf |
The yellow/white edged variegation of this perennial's grass-like leaves complements the showy spikes of lavender-blue flowers. |
|
Miscanthus sinensis |
Eulalia |
Shimmery, narrow blades and graceful pink-tinged plumes make this slow-spreading clump-former an asset in shade gardens. |
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Muhlinbergia rigens |
Deer grass |
Tall, slender flower spikes top this dense clumping grass with medium-green leaves. In shade, the spikes are arching and graceful. |
|
Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum' |
Purple fountain grass |
Burgandy-brown blades and pink-tinged graceful foxtail-like flower plumes make this 5'-tall-and-wide ornamental grass a great accent. |
|
Stenotaphrum secundatum |
St. Augustine grass |
This fast-growing, aggressively invasive, coarse-textured, running turf grass will either be your blessing or your curse. |
EHS 232 - PROJECT: SHADE GARDENING
***PART 1: ESSAY - Gardening with Shade Landscape Plants in California
***PART 2: Description of Specific Shade Landscaping Plants (Data Table)
***PART 3: Culture of Specific Shade Landscaping Plants (Data Table)
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