Comments on: Woodland Perennials for a Shady Garden

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:25:05 +0000

Kathleen, The zippy stripes on the large hood definitely set this Arisaema apart, along with the extra smooth, milky interior. I’ve been looking at getting some lady slippers, but the ones I really liked, with white and green flowers were too expensive. Maybe I’ll luck out, and find them on sale later. :)

By: Kathleen

Kathleen — Thu, 21 May 2009 14:11:08 +0000

I have missed several of your posts NS and all good ones too. Glad to be catching up with you. Lovin’ your new woodland plants. The Japanese Jack has to be my favorite. The striping on the hood reminds me of the Lady Slipper orchid I purchased this winter. Which, by the way, add a Lady Slipper to your mix of Jack in the Pulpits and Trillium and you’ve got my all-time favorite woodland plants. I’ve never tried any of these in my current garden but like so many other’s I’ve fallen for the rarity in a bag trick. No luck here either. If they do well in your garden, I may have to consider it for next season.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Tue, 19 May 2009 14:11:50 +0000

Beegirl, The elaborate flower structure of the Arisaema is still looking good three weeks later. There are a few spots inside the spathe, and the tip of the hood is now curled forward, above the spadix. You can still see the white interior, without moving the hood.

By: Beegirl

Beegirl — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:04:29 +0000

Beautiful Jack-in-the-pulpit! We have wild ones growing in the woods along the trails here. The Japanese variety is stunning!

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Sat, 16 May 2009 14:16:12 +0000

Beth, I think you will find the Campanula charming, with their pretty blue flowers and long bloom time. My Campanula ‘Haylodgensis has reappeared. It is a dwarf Campanula with numerous double blue flowers, which I planted last year, that was rated for a warmer zone, but seems to have done fine. My Campanula are some of the first plants up in the spring, with lots of fresh, green foliage. before many other perennials have emerged. They seem to have handled the flurries we’ve been getting lately fine too.

By: Beth

Beth — Sat, 16 May 2009 12:36:16 +0000

Hi Northern Shade!
I took your advice from last year and I’m trying three different kinds of campunula in my garden this year! You seem to have good luck with them in your zone so I’ll keep my fingers crossed. I have chosen some of the same varieties that you have posted.

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Sat, 16 May 2009 03:57:28 +0000

Shady Gardener, most of my planting has been delayed by cooler weather. It is supposed to go below freezing again at the beginning of next week. I do like lacy foliage next to broad, flat leaves. They make a nice combination.

By: Shady Gardener

Shady Gardener — Sat, 16 May 2009 00:21:14 +0000

Northern Shade, What did you decide about the planting of your bloodroot? My vote is to plant it next to the ferns. But, that’s for you to decide!! :-)

By: Northern Shade

Northern Shade — Fri, 15 May 2009 14:03:49 +0000

lynnsgarden, I like the deep, rounded lobes of the bloodroot leaves, and the trillium has great blooms. Their subtle beauty looks great in the dappled light.
The garden is back in a suspended state again as we have had more snow flurries. The new plant shoots had better grow quickly to make up the delay.

By: lynnsgarden

lynnsgarden — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:54:17 +0000

Hi Northern Shade :) I have the white trillium and bloodroot on my To Find List as they’ve been talked about on blogs this spring. They are really beautiful and will do great under your trees.
Lynn