My problem garden...suggestions wanted

16 years ago

When we first built our house I couldn't do any gardening because workers were crawling all over the place, so we started on an out of the way area. There was an area under some mature birch trees, near some hemlock, on the woodland edge. It was where the farmer dumped all the rocks. We cleaned them all out, brought in good soil, and I planted some rhodos, tree peonies, numerous perennials, hosta (all since eaten by voles, voles then eaten by cats), and astilbe. But the garden is just languishing (and filling with weeds). I think it is lack of sun and some root competion from the birch. Only 2 of the 3 tree peonies bloomed this year (no snow cover, late frost). I am moving all the perennials out now and will move the peonies in the fall. The astilbe will likely stay but may get moved. The question is what to put in there? I already have well over 100' of beds, I really can't handle another high maintenance bed. I could just plant a bunch of vinca. Or what do you think about ferns? A stand of ferns would look beautiful there, I think. It get some morning sun and a little dappling the rest of the day, but that's it (Rudbeckia Goldstrum does well on the sunnier side). It is not "dry shade" but it isn't damp either. The soil is excellent, loamy.

We have fern growing on our property (cinnamon in, I think sensitive), but in very wet areas.

What do you think?

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Comments (6)

tammyinwv
16 years ago
I have regular peonies, and they seem to enjoy full sun. Rhododendrons as well. What about annuals such as impatiens that like shade? Or Foxgloves.I dont know if this helps, but someone posted a pic of their shade garden at the link below. It is filled with Hosta's, Fern, Variegated dogwood,etc
Tammy

Here is a link that might be useful: Shade garden (last pic)
sue36
Original Author
16 years ago
Tree peonies are different from herbaceous peonies in their sun requirements (tree type do best with dappled, herbaceous with full). They are doing ok, it's the frost that caused the issue. The two rhodos in the garden are less than happy (not enough sun, I think).

I don't do annuals (except in a few planters), so that is out. I need something that will fill the entire area densely. Either that or I'm reseeding it with grass, which I hate to do. I don't want another perennial bed that needs constant weeding, dividing, etc.

Has anyone every planted a stand of ferns?
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terrestrial_man
16 years ago
Ferns would be perfect for your stated needs as they are low maintenance. But don't use Osmunda ferns as they really like to be wet. Check out the list below in the link and then Google the names to see images of each so you can find one that will please you. Good luck!

Here is a link that might be useful: List of native ferns of Maine
laceyvail 6A, WV
16 years ago
Ferns, Epimediums, Pulmonarias, Solomons Seal, Geranium maccrorhizum, Hellebores, Salvia koyame, Dicentras, Tiarellas, and spring ephemerals (Trilliums, Erythroniums,etc) for starters.
prairiemoon2 z6b MA
16 years ago
I have to agree. I've found two ferns that have really been a pleasure. Japanese Painted Ferns and 'G*host' which is a cross between two native ferns. They both have grown anywhere I've planted them. They clump and don't spread. They seem to be no care at all.

Epimediums are my pet plant. I'm always recommending them because of the easy care and their bulletproof nature. Another clumper that will slowly spread into a larger clump if you choose carefully. Some of them are runners.

Solomon's Seal just keeps coming back year after year. No matter how much I ignore it. Hellebores are great, if you can get to them and cut off the old foliage that gets pretty ratty looking in early spring. They also take some time to bloom if you buy them small and inexpensive but I love them. Dicentras and Tiarellas have been easy for me too. Tiarellas have not spread as much as I was hoping so I wish I had planted more in the first place, but I'm adding more now. The geranium maccrorhizum I've avoided because of seeing it really spread more than I liked in someone else's g*arden.

You might consider hydrangeas if you have room for them. Mine do well where my astilbes grow well.
sue36
Original Author
16 years ago
The garden is fairly large, an oval that is about 18' long by 12-15' wide (one edge of the oval is where the hemlocks are). I don't think it is enough sun for hydrangeas, maybe Annabelles. I just need something to fill it and be done with it. I guess fern is the ticket. I have some geranium in my other partial shade garden that grows like weeds, I think I'll add some of that to the front/sunnier section.

I looked at the list terrestrial provided (thanks) and checked off the items that are partial shade and don't require wet conditions. I think I will head to the local garden center and see what is readily available. Thanks!