Hi, Diane--
Speaking from New England zone 7A, my alba maxima gets full sun most of the day in the northeast fenced corner of my potager, and blooms well. About 10 years ago I had an alba semi-plena which gradually got shaded (buddleias and hydrangeas) and finally gave up and died. Also, the shadier it got, the fewer blooms it had. Try to place your maxima in as much sun as possible; not easy, given your fog.

Carol

Hi, Diane--
Speaking from New England zone 7A, my alba maxima gets full sun most of the day in the northeast fenced corner of my potager, and blooms well. About 10 years ago I had an alba semi-plena which gradually got shaded (buddleias and hydrangeas) and finally gave up and died. Also, the shadier it got, the fewer blooms it had. Try to place your maxima in as much sun as possible; not easy, given your fog.

Carol

All my Albas have been shade tolerant. The only one I had trouble with was in truly deep shade.

My alba maxima came to me mis-identified so I put it into a spot that was fairly sunny. It really thrived but got way too big for the spot it was in. I moved it into a more shady spot. It's done fine there but I think really did better in the sunnier area. So I'd say even if they are shade tolerant, they like sun, especially in low sun areas like I am, and you too, I think.

My alba maxima came to me mis-identified so I put it into a spot that was fairly sunny. It really thrived but got way too big for the spot it was in. I moved it into a more shady spot. It's done fine there but I think really did better in the sunnier area. So I'd say even if they are shade tolerant, they like sun, especially in low sun areas like I am, and you too, I think.

Well, gee, I didn't think I posted that message three times. It wasn't that profound of a response, lol!

Thanks everyone for your opinions.

Diane