Help - Shade and poor soil

[Anonymous]

Hoping someone can help. I am ready to address the hideous area between our house and fence which is full of moss and weeds. It's total shade and poor soil - there are some pavers in there that someone must have filled in between with fine gravel. Would love to plant something that would fill in between the pavers as well as some perennials that would grow well along the fence and/ or the house. I am not a fan of hostas, which is what the internet is suggesting.

[Anonymous]

Look at something along the lines of vinca major. It can get invasive, but if you keep trimming the vines it should be manageable. In my experience, once you get it established it should be good to go in any environment/soil conditions.

[Anonymous]

In case anyone is interesting, there's a talk on "Designing for Dry Shade" at Brookside Gardens on May 8 at 2 p.m.: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/events/designing-for-dry-shade/

[Anonymous]

You can't do anything about the shade but you can amend the soil to adresss that issue. We have a very shady corner of our yard. These plants do well there:
Hellebores
Mondo grass
Vinca / periwinkle
Acuba
Ferns
Solomon seal
Oak leaf hydrangea

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hoping someone can help. I am ready to address the hideous area between our house and fence which is full of moss and weeds. It's total shade and poor soil - there are some pavers in there that someone must have filled in between with fine gravel. Would love to plant something that would fill in between the pavers as well as some perennials that would grow well along the fence and/ or the house. I am not a fan of hostas, which is what the internet is suggesting.

Many plants thrive in the shade. If you are OK replanting every year, you can make a gorgeous design with coleus, which comes in many varieties and vibrant colors. Assorted coral bells are also lovely and colorful if you pick the right kind. Bleeding hearts are that one rare plant that will bloom in the shade, and there is a sub-model (Luxuriant bleeding heart) that has a very long blooming time if you commit to deadheading. Columbines are OK in the shade but rarely last past 3 years. And of course, hydrangeas! Oakleafs do great in the shade and grow tall. There are dwarf varieties under different names.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hoping someone can help. I am ready to address the hideous area between our house and fence which is full of moss and weeds. It's total shade and poor soil - there are some pavers in there that someone must have filled in between with fine gravel. Would love to plant something that would fill in between the pavers as well as some perennials that would grow well along the fence and/ or the house. I am not a fan of hostas, which is what the internet is suggesting.

Many plants thrive in the shade. If you are OK replanting every year, you can make a gorgeous design with coleus, which comes in many varieties and vibrant colors. Assorted coral bells are also lovely and colorful if you pick the right kind. Bleeding hearts are that one rare plant that will bloom in the shade, and there is a sub-model (Luxuriant bleeding heart) that has a very long blooming time if you commit to deadheading. Columbines are OK in the shade but rarely last past 3 years. And of course, hydrangeas! Oakleafs do great in the shade and grow tall. There are dwarf varieties under different names.

Just a note that we have columbine in our yard in has been there at least 5 years (that’s when we moved in, so not sure how long before that).

Ferns are another great option. I love caladium too, but it doesn’t overwinter here so you need to remember to dig up the bulbs (or just buy new ones if you’re like me and forget).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In case anyone is interesting, there's a talk on "Designing for Dry Shade" at Brookside Gardens on May 8 at 2 p.m.: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/events/designing-for-dry-shade/

Aww I wish this was in the weekend or in the evening.

[Anonymous]

Solomon’s seal- a couple years ago I got a few free ones from a neighbor who was dividing hers and they’ve really taken off.

Also white wood aster.

[Anonymous]

Astilbe does well in the shade. Also, hardy Begonia.

[Anonymous]

Lungwort is a great evergreen shade plant that has pretty flowers in the early spring.

Since the area is mossy I’m guessing your soil is moist. Why do you think the soil is poor?

[Anonymous]

Bugle/Ajuga, American Pachsandrta

[Anonymous]

Some perenials for along the fence in order of tallest to shortest:
Hydrangeas (Be careful to choose the right variety; some prefer sun or part shade.)
Foxglove (Live for only two years)
Hellebores (Thrives in dry soil of varying quality.)
Ferns (Like the same humidity that's keeping your moss thriving.)
Astilbe (Needs consistently moist soil.)
Aruncus aethusifolius/ dwarf goatsbeard (Best in dappled shade/part sun.)
Heuchera (Will give you great color. Tolerates clay soils well. Drought resistant once established.)
Tiarella or Heucherella
Pulmonaria

Regardless of what you choose, it's worth amending the soil as you put in new plants. Think of it as protection for your new investment. It will help you better retain moisture from rainfall and watering and will prevent root rot from becoming too waterlogged. You'll get better growth in the long term because your plants will have better access to nutrients from organic matter. I usually pick up a bag or two of Leafgrow when I check out at the nursery.

For groundcover between the pavers:
Sedum
Creeping jenny
Mini mondo grass (green or black)

A lot of shade-tolerant ground covers can quickly grow out of hand and become invasive. If you go for a vining groundcover between the pavers, such as creeping jenny or vinca, keep an eye on the vines and watch that they don't send stolons popping up into your neighbors' lawns. Using edging can help prevent this problem. Deadnettle and veronica are heavily flowered shade groundcovers that also easily get out of hand.

[Anonymous]

Epimedium