When the the heat of summer arrives, most homeowners really appreciate the value of shade provided by landscape trees. As with most circumstances, such benefits come with a disadvantage or two. With landscape trees, the primary disadvantage is that such heavily shaded areas also pose a challenge to what can be grown.
If too much shade troubles your home landscape, take heart. There are four delightful ways to transform dark corners into a riot of summer color and beauty. These four "shady characters" are impatiens, wax begonias, coleus and caladiums. They will thrive where other plants cannot survive--in the shade.
Nothing else in the flower kingdom can match these annuals for long-lasting color in shady areas, especially the improved varieties which can be found at local nurseries and garden centers. Plant breeders have vastly improved each of these shade-loving plants during the past decade. Newer varieties may cost a little more than the old standard varieties, but the improved vigor, increased flower production and greater weather tolerance make the extra cost worthwhile.
Coleus has undergone major changes in recent years. Although the flower spikes produced by coleus are insignificant, the foliage colors can be incredible. Coleus foliage now comes in a brilliant range of colors, including pink, red, yellow, lime green, maroon and orange. Some of the newest varieties are exotically streaked or blotched with several different colors in the leaves. Other, newer varieties are fringed with a contrasting color around the edge.
Just a few coleus plants will make a bold garden accent, but plan to keep the plants "pinched off" to encourage branching from the base. Coleus can tolerate a wide range of soil types but all require well-drained soil and they do like plenty of water. Also, watch for occasional infestations of mealy bugs on the stems. These pests can be controlled with a general purpose insecticide.
The wax begonias--sometimes called fibrous rooted begonias--are another star attraction in the shade. Since the popularity of this plant has increased enormously in recent years, garden centers should have a good selection in a wide color range. Begonias thrive in soil to which plenty of peat moss or other organic material has been added to give the roots ventilation and to provide the cool, moisture-laden environment they need.
Wax begonias come in mostly pastel shades of pink, rose, lavender, white and cream. However, shades of red and reddish orange also are available. Foliage colors vary, too, from maroon and bronze, to the traditional green.
The impatiens is perhaps my favorite "shady character." This annual has come a long way from near obscurity little more than 30 years ago, to its popularity today that rank it as one o American's top selling bedding plant.
Impatiens provide bright, sparkling color for shady beds and borders. Modern impatiens come in a wide range of colors, sizes and heights. Their growing popularity attests to their versatility and beauty.
One of the older series of impatiens--the "Elfin"--is still one of the best and most popular with area gardeners. The "Elfin" series comes in many colors, such as blue, blush, crimson, fuchsia, orange, orchid, pink, red, rose salmon, scarlet and white. Another popular impatiens series is the "Super Elfin." And there are many other beautiful impatiens from which to select.
The fourth and final star for those shady spots is the caladium. While the supply of caladiums bulbs has been depleted in some garden centers, potted plants are still available. Caladiums are planted by the thousands by local gardeners each year. Whether in containers, in masses, or a border planting, this popular shade-loving annual will provide a colorful accent for the landscape throughout the summer and well into the fall.
Although the caladium does not produce a noticeable flower, the fancy foliage is striking in the landscape. They require minimal care and are seldom troubled by insects or disease problems.
You should get these specimen set out as soon as possible so they can get well-established before the heat of summer arrives. Look for coleus, wax begonias, impatiens and caladiums at your local garden center and let them turn those darker corners of your landscape into an oasis of summer-long color.
So, get the posse out as soon as possible and round up a few members from one or all four of these "shady characters."