What would you plant here? (Suggestions, please!)

11 years ago

There's a spot that I've planted a few times over the years and nothing has ever quite worked. Look at the photos; window faces south, lattice is facing east. One problem is that I have overestimated the amount of sun it gets. It is partly in the shade of a valley oak, so in summer it gets just two hours (1-3PM) of hot sun and the rest of the day it has dappled shade. In winter it is full sun. (The lattice part to the west always goes to shade in afternoon at some point.)

I tend toward low water but am willing to put soaker hoses in here. I like natives but am open to interesting non-natives. I have a few things planted there already (see list below), but am trying to figure out what would like these conditions and really thrive. Tell me what you think! I have a number of plants available (see below) but am willing to buy others.

Thanks.

What's there already:
White butterfly bush in the corner
Buddleja globosa coming up along the wall
White climbing rose to be planted (pictured in pot along wall)
Purple climbing rose in the ground along the trellis
Siberian irises along the middle
Two marjorams near the hose

What I have on hand:
Mimulus bifidus (white and apricot)
Phacelia bolanderi (caterpillar flower)
Digitalis ferrugenea (rusty foxglove)
Lychnis coronaria (white rose campion)
Coyote mint (monardella)
Marjoram
Clary sage
Carpenteria californica (bush anemone)
Aquilegia v. "Black Barlow"
Salvia sonomensis
Ribes (a few different kinds of currants)
Ribes speciosum (fuchsia-flowering gooseberry)

Featured Answer

misslisamham
Original Author

11 years ago

Thanks to everyone who replied with suggestions. I went with C. californica, D. ferrugeneia, Mimulus bifidus and marjoram. Got it all in before this rain, which felt great.

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Comments (9)

oberci
11 years ago
How about a multi trunk tree with some underplantings in the foreground? Something that doesn't get too huge. I'm thinking a Himalayan birch or perhaps a saucer magnolia?
Central_Cali369
11 years ago
In it's natural habitat, Carpenteria californica grows in the shade of quercus douglasii and an ocassional quercus kellogii or quercus lobata. I've seen large strands of Carpenteria californica along seasonal and perennial creeks near the San Joaquin River with access to water most of the year, in the shade of everything else that grows along the creek's ravines.
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hoovb zone 9 sunset 23
11 years ago
What ever you decide on, pick only 3 or 4 different kind, and plant multiples of each, instead of a whole bunch of different ones. It will look better. Onesies look scattershot.
iris_gal
11 years ago
You have some wonderful plants. Is it important to have the window free from being hidden by plant growth?

Regarding what is currently planted:
White butterfly bush -- do you know the genus? Buddleias grow to 12 ft. here in Sunset zone 16. They work as a short tree.
Buddleja globosa -- grows to a 10 ft.by 10 ft. shrub.
Roses, Siberian iris and marjoram -- sun.

Of what is on hand I believe the digitalis, C. californica, Aquilegia and Ribes would be best in the dappled summer shade. They are upright growers so I would be on the lookout for a low-growing filler plant or use more marjoram along the perimeter (it looks very healthy). One thing I've noticed with natives is the smaller foliage can be monotonous. They need something large-leafed or very large rocks for contrast. IMO. Siberian iris may work if bloom is not of paramount importance.

Check mature height and width on shrubs. Nothing but headaches down the road if they are too close to the foundation. Good luck.
Kerry Rae
11 years ago
A Bird of Paradise plant would also look good planted there ☺️
parker25mv
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
Foxglove or tulips, but I am not sure how well those will grow in your climate. I use to stick bulbs in the refrigerator for one month then replant them every winter. Can violets grow where you are? Buy some seeds, soak in water, then stratify them in the refrigerator, then plant and keep the soil moist.

Here's an exotic: Malay Apple, it has beautiful flowers, and will likely do better with some shade in Southern California (because of the lower humidity).
Wild Haired Mavens
10 years ago
That sounds nice, I think the Coyote mint would be nice mixed with marjoram then put carpet flower in front. The fuchsia flowering gooseberry will look nice by the bush anemone this way you can have a little color more often.
PRO
Intex Design and Construction
10 years ago
Look forward to seeing the after images!