Shade garden questions.

12 years ago

Hi, I'm new here and need some guidance for gardening in a shady location. The picture was taken last year in September about 3pm.

I've been trying to establish a perennial garden for the front side of my house. This area stays mostly in shade except for the sidewalk that will get a little sun during mid-day. I added two hydrangea bushes in 2012 on each side of the steps. The foliage grew to the 3'x3' size in 2013 and was told that they shouldn't get much bigger than that. I'm about 99% sure they are 'Forever Pink' by the nursery owner and should stay pink no matter what. The problem is, they never bloomed last year and after researching the problem, I'm pretty sure they are losing their flower buds in the cold months. I tried to ask another nursery about this and they told me to leave the plant alone and it should bloom on new wood. Now, I'm dealing with conflicting information and not sure if I should replace them since I would rather have a bloomer on new wood.

I have a quite a few hostas that do very well on this side of the house.

Under the windows between the yews, I have Encore Azaleas. One is leafing out and the other has about 5 green leaves and the rest are brown. All branches show green when scratched.

I've been trying to have a nice garden in the front with plants that will do well but also provide color. I'm thinking that some plant choices were not the best and maybe I should replace them. Or should I give it another year and see how it does? Any advice?

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Comments (3)

iris_gal
12 years ago
I think you've chosen excellent plants.

"... I tried to ask another nursery about this and they told me to leave the plant alone and it should bloom on new wood. Now, I'm dealing with conflicting information and not sure if I should replace them since I would rather have a bloomer on new wood"

Not sure I understood. If you want new wood bloomers and these are new wood bloomers ... ?

Check out this link. Some people in zone 5 are having luck with 'Forever Pink' and some say it blooms on old wood and new wood!

I would give it another year without any pruning. My friend complained the lacecap I gave her never bloomed. Turned out she was pruning at the wrong time! Oops.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hydra/msg0413301415769.html
Wendy08
Original Author
12 years ago
I don't think these are 'Forever and Ever' hydrangeas. If I google 'Forever Pink' it says it is an old wood bloomer only. When I went to another nursery to get some ideas on a new hydrangea (for another location in the yard) I asked the owner about it and he thought it would bloom on new wood. That's where I was confused. I would like it to bloom on new wood because the old wood buds are being killed off even with protection.

I was also confused on the Encore Azeleas information. I was told as the nursery that this would be a good choice for a shady area but according to their website it does better in sunnier locations.

I feel like I'm getting opposite information from the nurseries and the plant websites.

Thanks for the response and link!
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iris_gal
12 years ago
I'm with you. Terribly confusing. Sometimes I think the garden section workers tell me what they think I want to hear.

Since I know nothing about Encore azaelas I googled and amazed to find they come in many colors.

The key sentence from their official site ..... "and thrive equally well in high filtered shade or sunny locations - unlike any other azalea in the world."

No wonder you got conflicting advice. High filtered shade means to me bright light or dappled light. Good luck. You're going to have a showplace!