This may be too simple, but what about those bright yellow cape daisies? The bloom profusely all summer and can last for years if there isn't a really hard freeze, although I think they sell them as annuals (Lowes and HDepot). That close to the house they would be protected from the cold, too. It would be a pretty and colorful backdrop to the rest of the yard.

Kate

Do cape daisies do well in the shade? Mom loves daisies but I thought they needed a bit of sun in order to do well.

I think a couple of Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata' (flax lily) would look great there and if the bush daisy wouldn't work, something like coleus, Turnera ulmifolia (Cuban buttercup) I have it in a lot of shade. Your mom's bed looks great - hope you post pics again when it's all filled in.

Ginny

Hi Kara,

some of the dwarf azaleas bloom much of the year and stay the size you want--but they bloom more in fall and spring, not the summer. I have "Fashion"--so far so good. It likes shade.
Monica Brandies' shade gardening book talks about using crosandra in this type of situation. I haven't tried it myself (Though I hope to with the crossandra seeds you gave me!)

Bill

Kara,

What about "Xanadu" philodendron or native coontie as a foundation planting, keeping with the tropical theme. Then graduate down to dianella for some color, as Ginny suggested, or var. liriope. In front of that, you could use peacock ginger, a low grower that gets lavender flowers. It dies down in the winter, but comes back in the spring and makes a great groundcover.

I have a lorepetulum that I pruned up into a small tree. It is absolutely stunning when it blooms. That might be a good replacement for the crepe myrtles.

Oh, I thought of another possibility for under the window. What about sasanqua camellias? You can get low growers and they would give you some color in the fall.

Char

I'm not sure what will bloom all summer in the shade like that but there may be some annuals that could give a splash of color there.

Some plants that will enjoy a shady location and be useful include aloe, I've got lots of it and it does like the shady locations and has been surviving outdoors for me here in zone 9 Orange County since 2004.

Thank you for all the suggestions! I'll pass them onto mom and as soon as she decides what to put there I will post pictures of it.

Kara