Where has all my 'full sun' gone....?

16 years ago

So, I planted what I thought would be good plants for my area, in the hot desert of Utah. I planted Russian Sage, Mexican Sage, Penstemons, etc. However, I planted them in the fall. I believe I remember at the time that the area I planted them in had lots of sun. This was on the south side of the property, on the northfacing side of a tall fence. ItÂs a long, very narrow strip about 2 feet wide, and the fence is about 6 feet tall or so.

More experienced gardeners may know what happened next Â For the rest of fall, winter and now into March, they receive no sunshine, since they are cast in the shadow of the fence and the house south of the fence. I trust sunshine will return. IÂm guessing for about 3 months. However, what IÂm not sure about is whether or not my plants are still alive. I planted a juniper, skyrocket brand Â I can tell itÂs still alive and about the same height when I planted it. But I canÂt tell if the sages or penstemons or hyssop are alive. Also echinacea looks a little crispy and brown. Any one able to hazard a guess if these plants are still alive? I will try to take pictures at some point to show. Please donÂt laugh at my shameÂ.. : )

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Comments (3)

User
16 years ago
Just wait and see ...
User
16 years ago
The north facing side of any structure is going to be shadier. I'm not sure that 3 months of sunshine will be enough for the plants you mentioned. Have the plants had water during the winter?
I hope they come back for you. It's still early for heat & sun loving plants and the soil will still be quite cool/cold there in the shade.
Give them more time.
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Suzi AKA DesertDance So CA Zone 9b
16 years ago
I use the north side shade to grow cuttings and get them used to the outside. Olive trees love sun, and last year I ripped a few suckers off some golf course trees, stuck them in the ground to see what would grow. Those in the sun died, but after a couple months, I noticed leaves growing on the 2 that were in the north shade. This year I have 2 tiny olive trees, about 1' tall, very green and healthy. I'll be putting them in containers in the full sun very soon.

Surprisingly, I have a jalapeno pepper in the north shade too, and it is always loaded with peppers. The one in the sun struggles. I've got Agaves in the shade too with no problem.

Is there any way you can cut a little stem off one of your plants to see if it shows green inside? I find it hard to think that shade would kill a plant, but maybe it will. I'd think it would live, but maybe not bear fruit or blossoms. If there was frost where you are, that could be a culprit also.

Fingers crossed for you!