Perennial suggestions for small shady dry bed

17 years ago

We have a 9'x9' bed, dominated by a largish flowering currant bush in its centre. The bed is mostly in the shade throughout the day, some sun however sneaks through and the soil is not particularly moist. On the south side of the bed is a small patch of St. John's Wort, on the east side some sweet woodruff groundcover. We would like some recommendations for a few other perennials to plant that can tolerate shade and being somewhat dry. We tried some deer ferns and astilbe but they didn't like it much.

Any ideas greatly appreciated -- Larry

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Comments (5)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
17 years ago
Euphorbia robbiae
Geranium macrorrhizum or nodosum
Dicentra eximia or formosa
Epimediums
Aconitum (monkshood)
Digitalis (foxgloves)
Hellebores - light shade only
Aruncus (goatsbeard)
novita
17 years ago
A few of my favorites that seems to tolerate some shade and dry soil are heucheras, maidenhair fern, sword fern (not too dry) and Spring bloomers like pulmonaria, hellebores, columbine. I'm talking about medium shade and infrequent watering in the summer.
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plantknitter
17 years ago
hosta, sarcococca (a shrub though), campanula poscharskyana, some saxifragas, brunnera, carex ice dance, iris foetidissima,
dottyinduncan
17 years ago
I believe Brunera is one of the best. Its icy white foliage brings light to the shade and the large leaves make a statement.
blameitontherain
17 years ago
If you are getting maybe 2-3 hours of sun, day lilies should do well. The ones under a roof overhang in my front bed get about that and never get watered. With all of the colors available, you could easily mix and match and blend the yellow flowers of the St. John's and the white of the woodruff.

Rain