Summer Series III: Create Cool Combos
Inspiration for Shady Afternoon Spaces
Looking for some inspiration for plant combinations that will grow in areas that get shade most of the day? We put together three options that will grow well together in part shade, and that require low water once established.
What exactly is "shade"?
Dense Shade: no sun all day
Full Shade: less than four hours of direct sun
Part Shade: four to six hours of direct morning sun
What exactly is "shade"?
Dense Shade: no sun all day
Full Shade: less than four hours of direct sun
Part Shade: four to six hours of direct morning sun
Cool Combo#1: Part Shade and Low Water
Daphne (top left)
Evergreen shrub produces an abundance of perfumed, pink flower clusters mid-winter through spring. Green foliage adds interest with narrow, yellow margins.
Foxtail Asparagus Fern (top right)
Semi-evergreen fern with fluffy, needle-like, bright green foliage. Great for bright texture.
Black Mondo Grass (bottom)
Evergreen perennial with grassy foliage that emerges green and quickly ages to an almost true black. Short spikes of tiny pink flowers bloom in summer.
Evergreen shrub produces an abundance of perfumed, pink flower clusters mid-winter through spring. Green foliage adds interest with narrow, yellow margins.
Foxtail Asparagus Fern (top right)
Semi-evergreen fern with fluffy, needle-like, bright green foliage. Great for bright texture.
Black Mondo Grass (bottom)
Evergreen perennial with grassy foliage that emerges green and quickly ages to an almost true black. Short spikes of tiny pink flowers bloom in summer.
Cool Combo #2: Part Shade and Low Water
Heavenly Bamboo ‘Obsession’ (top left)
Evergreen shrub displays fiery red new growth, turning red and purple in the fall.
Evergreen shrub displays fiery red new growth, turning red and purple in the fall.
Firecracker Plant (top right)
Attract hummingbirds to your shade garden with this perennial that blooms with an abundance of red, orange, or yellow tubular flowers spring through summer.
Attract hummingbirds to your shade garden with this perennial that blooms with an abundance of red, orange, or yellow tubular flowers spring through summer.
Stonecrop (bottom)
Family of succulents (Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood shown) with many different color and foliage options—all easy care and waterwise.
Family of succulents (Stonecrop 'Dragon's Blood shown) with many different color and foliage options—all easy care and waterwise.
Cool Combo #3: Part Shade and Low Water
Dwarf Myrtle (top left)
Evergreen shrub makes an attractive border or low hedge with small, delicate, aromatic leaves.
Evergreen shrub makes an attractive border or low hedge with small, delicate, aromatic leaves.
Silver Carpet Lamb’s Ear (top right)
Grown mostly for its velvety silver-green foliage, this evergreen perennial can be used to add contrast and texture to borders, containers and waterwise gardens.
Grown mostly for its velvety silver-green foliage, this evergreen perennial can be used to add contrast and texture to borders, containers and waterwise gardens.
Zonal Geranium (bottom)
Scalloped leaves and stalks bearing large clusters of brightly-colored flowers spring through summer.
Scalloped leaves and stalks bearing large clusters of brightly-colored flowers spring through summer.
