A temporary (annual) fix would be a wall of Morning Glories - can't think of anything that grows faster than those. With support for them in place, you'd get shade and filtered shade and blooms. MG's thrive on neglect and poorer conditions and will suffer bloom loss from any fertilizers etc. you might use for your other plants, however.

I don't think you necessarilly need to worry. All of those are shade tolerant, but not shade dependent, unless you live in a part of the country where the sun is really strong (dry air western states).

Some kind of structure with a fast-growing vine. Patio umbrellas. 4 poles and some shade cloth.

You may find that everything is fine--though all may need extra water. I took down a large tree and was convinced all my hellebores were going to die...but they've done quite well. THAT said, the spot doesn't get full on sun, because of other large trees in the vicinity. Are you certain your spot will be in full sun all day? If the plants are shaded in the afternoon, they will probably be fine. If you are really concerned...I'll second the vine suggestion. I was going to suggest Clematis armandii--but you are zone 7a and it is only hardy to 7b. Go to your local nursery and ask them for some vine suggestions. Annuals have appeal, because you won't need to worry about them taking over...but a perennial vine will leaf out more quickly, and provide better coverage after a year or so.

Good luck!

melanie

You could wait and see and move any plants that don't do well (hopefully that would not be all of them). You might welcome the chance to add a few more sun tolerant plants there (or if it is your only shady place then you might not).

I agree with Melanie that it may only be that they need a bit more water.

I don't think water will cut it...summers here are rough and in Sept after I cut the tree the astilbe got scorched (may have already lost some.) What do you think of wisteria trained as a free-standing "tree?" I happen to have a wisteria sitting in a pot with nowhere to go... I know it can be a nuisance if left to grow rampant but this is short term and there's nothing for it to grow on.

Just a thought.

I'm worried the plants would suffer waiting for annuals to grow each spring.

I'd do shade cloth if it wasn't so ugly....

Thanks for all your input!

Ann

One caution on the wisteria - it spreads like crazy underground, so I'm not sure that you'd be doing yourself a favor.

your astilbe may have just been scorched because they were *used* to the shade. (like when you don't harden seedlings off). things coming up this year will do better. Clematis terniflora (Sweet Autumn Clematis) is hardy 4-9, and is a very vigorous grower. It needs something to grow on though.

esh--it may depend on the wisteria. I've been TOLD that the native wisteria, wisteria frutescens, isn't invasive. I know that when UNC's Coker Arboretum replaced the wisteria walk they pulled out the chinese wisteria and replaced it with frutescens because it wasn't supposed to be scary invasive. I do not, however, have any personal experience.

I would NEVER plant one of the asian wisterias. How about a Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)? Native to the area...fast growing...and the hummingbirds love it. It will need a support as well...but most vines will.

I adore Clematis terniflora (Sweet Autumn Clematis) but seriously regret planting it in my garden. It seeds out EVERYWHERE...and develops serious roots quickly. Fair warning!

Temporary trellising with an annual vine could work - most annual vines grow incredibly rapidly. You could also rig up a temporary shade structure, like a lath house or a shade sail, to provide relief until the new tree puts on some growth.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Oh yes, I know very well that the native wisteria is not so bad. But usually if people say they have a wisteria, it is the asian one!