tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post1587340852174156971..comments2024-03-04T04:51:33.598-05:00Comments on Bay-Friendly Landscaping: Made In The ShadeNanette O'Harahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08250216384058622926noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-29133079919298008292012-05-21T12:35:26.492-04:002012-05-21T12:35:26.492-04:00I wish I had followed your advice when I planted i...I wish I had followed your advice when I planted in the back with the space-hogging elms, Meems! Most everything is faring well back there, except for those poor anise shrubs. I just replaced some liriope too, but apparently there is a disease affecting nursery stock now so their death may not have been my fault (at least that is what I choose to believe, especially since I seem to be the only person who has actually had liriope do POORLY!). <br /><br />I too have walking irises, shell ginger and holly ferns -- all of which I love and add color and interest to the shade. We really are lucky having so many wonderful choices for shade gardens. And I am in total agreement that shade gardens are much easier to maintain than landscapes in full sun. More pleasant for us gardeners too!Nanette O'Harahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08250216384058622926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-52659860933134631952012-05-21T12:29:59.842-04:002012-05-21T12:29:59.842-04:00Hi Penny:
The oakleaf hydrangea is one of my favo...Hi Penny:<br /><br />The oakleaf hydrangea is one of my favorite plants. And I love the way it grows wide more than tall. It really makes an impact.<br /><br />I too planted chenille plant in my backyard as a groundcover. It seems a little TOO happy - it's trying to grow up and over everything else and periodically I have to go whack it back. Certainly is a hardy booger in my yard, and I NEVER water it.Nanette O'Harahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08250216384058622926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-49304469968871370922012-05-21T12:27:15.519-04:002012-05-21T12:27:15.519-04:00I love firespikes too, NanaK. I wish I had room to...I love firespikes too, NanaK. I wish I had room to plant all the wonderful shade-loving plants available to us! The oak cools down our home considerably, helping to lower our energy bills. Another reason to love them!Nanette O'Harahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08250216384058622926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-30146950049134591352012-05-19T19:05:10.751-04:002012-05-19T19:05:10.751-04:00Great post, Nanette. My oak trees are the life sav...Great post, Nanette. My oak trees are the life saving factor in my garden both in front and in back. I think shade gardening is much better and easier for the reasons you listed. I have the same favorites as you but also variegated schefflera, variegated shell ginger, walking irises, stromanthe, holly ferns, nun's orchids, macho fern, birds nest ferns, a variety of begonias ... and the list is endless really. What I have found is that it is lots easier to get root cuttings started rather than full grown plants where there is a large root system from a tree. That way the roots gradually find their own way to nutrients shared with the tree. For liriope and variegated aztec grasses first I split the plants up into smaller sizes and then I knock off all the dirt to tuck the roots in the soil ~ fits it between roots.Meemshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16341998120938921741noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-64788052694599815702012-05-17T21:20:53.741-04:002012-05-17T21:20:53.741-04:00I WISH I had a live oak! I, too, am in Tampa, and ...I WISH I had a live oak! I, too, am in Tampa, and I have no big trees in my yard (relying on the neighbors'. And their leaves, left in bags by the curb.) I bought the new Sun Hosta earlier this year, and so far it's thriving (not blooming right now) in full sun. LOVE oak leaf hydrangea - what romantic flowers! And since it's native, it loves us, too. In helping my sister create a bed under a tree with shallow, numerous roots, we selected macho fern, chenille (lots of bright red color), bird's nest fern and angel wing begonia. All are doing very well more than a year later, and the bed is a colorful, textural mix of foliage and flower.Penny Carnathanhttp://www.digginfladirt.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-67829248001735744292012-05-17T20:38:59.850-04:002012-05-17T20:38:59.850-04:00I love my oak trees too, Nanette. I have several ...I love my oak trees too, Nanette. I have several in the front yard and one huge one that takes up half the backyard. I have been discovering more and more shade loving plants that also bloom. Some of my favorites are the Firespikes, both red and purple. Your front area under the oak looks very cool and inviting.NanaKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02425496284594894548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-39374291557491170972012-05-15T15:08:14.758-04:002012-05-15T15:08:14.758-04:00I honestly can't imagine life without my live ...I honestly can't imagine life without my live oak, Susan. I could, however, do without the annoying elms that drape over my backyard, drop branches constantly and spread their millions of roots everywhere in my backyard -- making planting anything difficult to darn near impossible. The best investment we made was our $80 tree shovel! I cherish that above all other tools.Nanette O'Harahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08250216384058622926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-56530186052815545302012-05-15T12:12:59.347-04:002012-05-15T12:12:59.347-04:00Hey Nanette...I had to chuckle when I read your po...Hey Nanette...I had to chuckle when I read your post. When we bought the last 2 homes we've lived in having a live oak was at the top of our "must-have list." I don't think I could live in a yard without an oak now. What a difference they make...you're sooooo right! I wish more people would plant them and leave the Spanish moss on them, as well. Stay cool this summer in the shade of your wonderful Live oak...and thanks for the shout-out.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01106128705768954876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-18279226327326543182012-05-11T07:52:16.901-04:002012-05-11T07:52:16.901-04:00So sorry to hear you lost a live oak from Hurrican...So sorry to hear you lost a live oak from Hurricane Charley, Floridagirl, but I'm guessing that makes you cherish the oaks that shelter your backyard even more. Your shade choices are wonderful. I have been tempted to add some ground orchids. They are so lovely.Nanette O'Harahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08250216384058622926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-64231596382415895872012-05-10T13:09:52.685-04:002012-05-10T13:09:52.685-04:00I with ya on the oak umbrella! The massive old li...I with ya on the oak umbrella! The massive old live oaks are truly awesome for making the Florida heat bearable. We lost our front yard oak in Hurricane Charley, but still have oak shade in the backyard. I truly love it! What are my shade faves? That would be bromeliads, tree ferns, camellias, gingers, curcumas, caladiums, ground orchids, and blood lilies.Floridagirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16357453320897720393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-22847189812825161282012-05-10T08:10:16.188-04:002012-05-10T08:10:16.188-04:00I always enjoy hearing about your garden Down Unde...I always enjoy hearing about your garden Down Under, africanaussie! Gingers and heliconias are popular here too, as are impatiens -- though they require a lot of water here to maintain.<br /><br />Pam, thanks for the top on the 'Sun Hosta.' I googled it and it is gorgeous. Info says this variety flourishes in full sun! <br /><br />I am a fan of holly ferns too, and have five in my front yard. I also love beautyberry for shade. So many great options for shade lovers, it was hard to pick just a few!Nanettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03086867513945257184noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-85359446960171965882012-05-09T22:01:55.521-04:002012-05-09T22:01:55.521-04:00I have a hosta called 'Sun Hosta' - I purc...I have a hosta called 'Sun Hosta' - I purchased it at a nursery in North Pinellas County - this is the third spring that it has come up and still seems to be thriving. You have listed some of my favorites - I do like Holly Ferns as well for shade.Pamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05721733443968079832noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-46256273963710257432012-05-09T19:59:40.744-04:002012-05-09T19:59:40.744-04:00Your garden looks lovely and cool. I live in the ...Your garden looks lovely and cool. I live in the tropical part of Australia so my climate is pretty mcuh the same as yours. we have a big lychee tree and when I moved in I thought I would need to lay weed mat to separate the tree roots from the plants I plants underneath it - bad idea! I have now eventually removed what I think is all the landscape fabric and the plants seem to co-exist happily with the tree. I do mulch up most of the dropped leaves and add those to my compost bin and then return this to the beds once composted. I think this helps with mosquitoes. Most of the plants I have there are gingers and heleconia. for colour nothing can beat impatients. I haven't had much luck with caladiums - I must give them another try.africanaussiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16660727599623626163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-80737026323755426532012-05-09T15:33:45.055-04:002012-05-09T15:33:45.055-04:00I also like hostas, Daisy, but have not had luck w...I also like hostas, Daisy, but have not had luck with them in my yard. I highly recommend the oakleaf hydrangea. Mine is in its third year and blooming for the first time!Nanette O'Harahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08250216384058622926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8642414018943766152.post-43307326395997720202012-05-09T14:08:41.851-04:002012-05-09T14:08:41.851-04:00Alas, our shade accomodations are slim, but I do l...Alas, our shade accomodations are slim, but I do love hostas. Perhaps I could try the native Oakleaf under our weeping elm out front. Enjoyed sitting under your shade for a while!daisy ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06129079277073067462noreply@blogger.com