Comments on: My Garden Plants http://northernshade.ca Gardening in a cold northern climate, as the trees grow, the garden is gradually transforming to a more shady woodland garden Wed, 23 May 2012 02:49:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: woody http://northernshade.ca/plant-list/#comment-10676 woody Fri, 18 May 2012 23:46:05 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?page_id=10#comment-10676 I have a 20 inch by 20 ft very moist northern exposure bed.. What will grow there? I have tried various hosta and they never come back the second year. This bed is wide open to the winds with no protection. I have tried jacoba lambs tongue. spira and others I don't recall the names of. I am not an experienced gardener in Airdrie Any advice is greatly appreciated thanks Barb I have a 20 inch by 20 ft very moist northern exposure bed.. What will grow there? I have tried various hosta and they never come back the second year. This bed is wide open to the winds with no protection. I have tried jacoba lambs tongue. spira and others I don’t recall the names of. I am not an experienced gardener in Airdrie
Any advice is greatly appreciated
thanks
Barb

]]> By: Beth M. http://northernshade.ca/plant-list/#comment-10307 Beth M. Mon, 16 Apr 2012 01:25:57 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?page_id=10#comment-10307 Hello! I am not sure where I could contact you directly so I hope you don't mind I ask you this in your comments. I was wondering if I would be able to use some of your flower images for a school project that I am doing? I am in a document production class and we are making a book on a subject of our choice. I decided to do mine on gardening in Calgary. The book will not be published and I would only need about 9 images. Thank-you so much! I hope to hear from you soon. Beth Hello!
I am not sure where I could contact you directly so I hope you don’t mind I ask you this in your comments. I was wondering if I would be able to use some of your flower images for a school project that I am doing? I am in a document production class and we are making a book on a subject of our choice. I decided to do mine on gardening in Calgary. The book will not be published and I would only need about 9 images.

Thank-you so much! I hope to hear from you soon.
Beth

]]> By: Northern Shade http://northernshade.ca/plant-list/#comment-10245 Northern Shade Sat, 07 Apr 2012 16:56:05 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?page_id=10#comment-10245 Amanda, the Dianthus caryophylus ‘Grenadin’ (hardy carnations) make terrific cut flowers, and their foliage stays a nice fresh green when the colder temperatures arrive. The Campanula ‘Summertime Blues’ (a taller bellflower) have showy silvery blue bells, and usually have lots of flower, too. You can see how the <a href="http://northernshade.ca/2010/08/02/blue-bellflower-and-pink-carnation/" title="bellflower and carnation" rel="nofollow">Dianthus and Campanula</a> look together in the garden in this article, while they look good in a bouquet, too. Another taller bellflower with pretty blue flowers on long stems is <a href="http://northernshade.ca/2010/07/22/campanula-lactiflora-prichards-variety/" title="Campanula lactiflora milky bellflower" rel="nofollow">Campanula lactiflora</a>. In spring, I like to make mini bouquets from Convallaria (lily of the valley), since they can scent a whole room. OF course, Paeonia lactiflora have a winning combination of puffy flowers and beautiful perfume that make terrific arrangements as well. Sometimes I just float the peony blooms in short, square glass vases on the dining table. Here is a more detailed article about my <a href="http://northernshade.ca/2010/07/07/sarah-bernhardt-peony/" title="Sarah Bernhardt peony" rel="nofollow">Sarah Bernhardt peony</a>. My next favourite for beautiful scent in the house are <a href="http://northernshade.ca/2010/06/21/syringa-vulgaris-wedgewood-blue/" title="lilac flowers" rel="nofollow">lilac blooms</a>. Amanda, the Dianthus caryophylus ‘Grenadin’ (hardy carnations) make terrific cut flowers, and their foliage stays a nice fresh green when the colder temperatures arrive. The Campanula ‘Summertime Blues’ (a taller bellflower) have showy silvery blue bells, and usually have lots of flower, too. You can see how the Dianthus and Campanula look together in the garden in this article, while they look good in a bouquet, too. Another taller bellflower with pretty blue flowers on long stems is Campanula lactiflora.

In spring, I like to make mini bouquets from Convallaria (lily of the valley), since they can scent a whole room. OF course, Paeonia lactiflora have a winning combination of puffy flowers and beautiful perfume that make terrific arrangements as well. Sometimes I just float the peony blooms in short, square glass vases on the dining table. Here is a more detailed article about my Sarah Bernhardt peony. My next favourite for beautiful scent in the house are lilac blooms.

]]> By: amanda http://northernshade.ca/plant-list/#comment-10236 amanda Fri, 06 Apr 2012 17:58:07 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?page_id=10#comment-10236 this is great! other then what you have here do you have any suggestions for cut flowers for zone 3? (i live in Manitoba). Also I'm looking for a rose bush for cutting as well. I bought a Rosa 'Jelroganor'(CHARISMA)but have now realized it's only hardy in zone 6! so not helpful right! any suggestions please let me know! please email me or come to my blog and leave a comment! this is great! other then what you have here do you have any suggestions for cut flowers for zone 3? (i live in Manitoba). Also I’m looking for a rose bush for cutting as well. I bought a Rosa ‘Jelroganor’(CHARISMA)but have now realized it’s only hardy in zone 6! so not helpful right! any suggestions please let me know! please email me or come to my blog and leave a comment!

]]> By: Northern Shade http://northernshade.ca/plant-list/#comment-10213 Northern Shade Wed, 04 Apr 2012 01:20:27 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?page_id=10#comment-10213 Dezirae, I've planted some perennials directly into the ground below my tall evergreens in front, in the pockets between the roots. Some plants that have done well there are Heuchera (coral bells), Tiarella (foam flower), Asarum (wild ginger), Hepatica, and <em>Brunnera macrophylla</em> (Siberian bugloss). The Hosta and Athyrium 'Ghost' (ghost fern) need some extra water, but have done very well, too. You can see some of the different <a href="http://northernshade.ca/2010/10/24/tiarella-and-heuchera-under-spruce/" title="Heuchera and Tiarella" rel="nofollow">Heuchera and Tiarella under the spruce</a>in this article, and more perennials in this article about the <a href="http://northernshade.ca/2010/07/09/shade-garden-under-evergreens/" rel="nofollow">garden under my evergreens</a>. There are links in each of those articles to more posts from this site about gardening under conifers. Many of these have very decorative leaves, so they look good for an extended time. The above perennials would work in pots, too, but you would have to dig them in for the winter, or protect them from the cold if they are above ground. Good luck with your planting under the pines. Dezirae, I’ve planted some perennials directly into the ground below my tall evergreens in front, in the pockets between the roots. Some plants that have done well there are Heuchera (coral bells), Tiarella (foam flower), Asarum (wild ginger), Hepatica, and Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian bugloss). The Hosta and Athyrium ‘Ghost’ (ghost fern) need some extra water, but have done very well, too. You can see some of the different Heuchera and Tiarella under the sprucein this article, and more perennials in this article about the garden under my evergreens. There are links in each of those articles to more posts from this site about gardening under conifers. Many of these have very decorative leaves, so they look good for an extended time.

The above perennials would work in pots, too, but you would have to dig them in for the winter, or protect them from the cold if they are above ground. Good luck with your planting under the pines.

]]> By: Dezirae http://northernshade.ca/plant-list/#comment-10204 Dezirae Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:44:01 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?page_id=10#comment-10204 Hello Northern Shade, Your pictures are beautiful. I just moved the Lethbridge AB and was hoping you could give me a few suggestions. I have 2 large pine trees in the not-so-large front yard. This leaves a nicely sized shadey, acid spot where the previous owners have out down cloth and mulch. I am considering potted plants so acidity is not an issue. Do you have any suggestions? Dezirae Hello Northern Shade,

Your pictures are beautiful. I just moved the Lethbridge AB and was hoping you could give me a few suggestions. I have 2 large pine trees in the not-so-large front yard. This leaves a nicely sized shadey, acid spot where the previous owners have out down cloth and mulch. I am considering potted plants so acidity is not an issue. Do you have any suggestions?

Dezirae

]]> By: Northern Shade http://northernshade.ca/plant-list/#comment-9963 Northern Shade Sat, 10 Mar 2012 14:57:04 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?page_id=10#comment-9963 Hi Shadeless, this is a list of my garden plants as of a few years back. Since my garden is mostly shade, the majority are shade plants, and for the ones that are not, I've described the degree of light required. It's hard to form an exact boundary between those that thrive in shade and those that require more light. Some plants are very adjustable, and will thrive in a wide variety of sites, while some actually prefer a certain amount of shade, and others will tolerate some shade, while some plants will continue to live in a shady location, but will not do their best. It is not an exact science, because it also depends on when they get a bit of light, is it the weaker light of very early in the day, or a brief exposure between houses of the stronger light of midday. I've experimented a great deal with different species or individual cultivars in different locations to see how much shade they will take, and what time of day they get some light. If you want to see more details of light exposure for the different plants, you can search the sight for specific plants, or check through the categories, where I've specified in the articles more exactly the amount and type of light that they have grown in. If you have any questions about the plants, or their light exposure, you can leave a question, and I can tell you more about them. Hi Shadeless, this is a list of my garden plants as of a few years back. Since my garden is mostly shade, the majority are shade plants, and for the ones that are not, I’ve described the degree of light required. It’s hard to form an exact boundary between those that thrive in shade and those that require more light. Some plants are very adjustable, and will thrive in a wide variety of sites, while some actually prefer a certain amount of shade, and others will tolerate some shade, while some plants will continue to live in a shady location, but will not do their best. It is not an exact science, because it also depends on when they get a bit of light, is it the weaker light of very early in the day, or a brief exposure between houses of the stronger light of midday. I’ve experimented a great deal with different species or individual cultivars in different locations to see how much shade they will take, and what time of day they get some light.

If you want to see more details of light exposure for the different plants, you can search the sight for specific plants, or check through the categories, where I’ve specified in the articles more exactly the amount and type of light that they have grown in.

If you have any questions about the plants, or their light exposure, you can leave a question, and I can tell you more about them.

]]> By: Shadeless http://northernshade.ca/plant-list/#comment-9952 Shadeless Fri, 09 Mar 2012 21:53:02 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?page_id=10#comment-9952 Great list but I think you should consider taking off the plants that DON'T thrive in Shade, cheers. Great list but I think you should consider taking off the plants that DON’T thrive in Shade, cheers.

]]> By: Northern Shade http://northernshade.ca/plant-list/#comment-9915 Northern Shade Sun, 04 Mar 2012 23:46:07 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?page_id=10#comment-9915 Marilyn, it sounds like you have a very scenic property that will make a great site for a woodland garden. There are some very attractive plants that will grow in the shade in Alberta. If you check under the perennials category on the right hand side of this site, you can see some photos and read some information about more plants that would be suitable for your property. I've planted quite a few interesting perennials under the evergreens in my front garden bed, and you can see how they look together. Marilyn, it sounds like you have a very scenic property that will make a great site for a woodland garden. There are some very attractive plants that will grow in the shade in Alberta. If you check under the perennials category on the right hand side of this site, you can see some photos and read some information about more plants that would be suitable for your property.
I’ve planted quite a few interesting perennials under the evergreens in my front garden bed, and you can see how they look together.

]]> By: Marilyn http://northernshade.ca/plant-list/#comment-9912 Marilyn Sun, 04 Mar 2012 16:30:22 +0000 http://northernshade.ca/?page_id=10#comment-9912 Hi. Love your plant list. Thanks for posting it. We bought a new acreage home last fall near Sundre, AB. It has a smallish yard area carved out of the forest, with lots of very tall spruce trees right up to the house. I have a good idea which areas of the yard will be full shade and partial shade, that will be most of it. The south end of my house has an open area, that through the winter has missed out on the morning sun, and late afternoon sun. It will be interesting to see how much sun gets past the trees as the sun gets higher in the sky. I'm spending my time these days researching shade lovers trying to picture what I might grow here. It's been interesting reading what another Albertan has had success with. Thanks again for posting your results. Marilyn Hi. Love your plant list. Thanks for posting it.
We bought a new acreage home last fall near Sundre, AB. It has a smallish yard area carved out of the forest, with lots of very tall spruce trees right up to the house.
I have a good idea which areas of the yard will be full shade and partial shade, that will be most of it. The south end of my house has an open area, that through the winter has missed out on the morning sun, and late afternoon sun. It will be interesting to see how much sun gets past the trees as the sun gets higher in the sky.
I’m spending my time these days researching shade lovers trying to picture what I might grow here. It’s been interesting reading what another Albertan has had success with. Thanks again for posting your results.
Marilyn

]]>