Thursday, June 23, 2011

Shade Tolerant Plants


One of the most important factors to consider when planning what to plant in your garden, be it simply filling a small space, replacing an older plant, or creating an entirely new landscape, is the amount of light that the area receives. It was a lesson I learned the hard way as a child, as I tried unsuccessfully, year after year, to grow sun-loving standbys such as tomatoes, eggplants and peppers in an area of the yard that had northern exposure and was shaded by trees. No matter how much water, compost or attention I gave them, I had the same disappointing results of small, sickly plants with tiny fruits that barely, if ever, ripened. Once I figured out how much light the area received, I was able to pick proper plants for the conditions – and I turned my “black thumb” into a green one.

When you come to McArdle’s in Greenwich looking for a plant, whether it is for an indoor or outdoor habitat, the first question an associate will ask is “how many hours of light does the area receive?” Based upon the response, we can then guide you towards plants that will be best suited to your particular environment.

My little raised bed of tomatoes was located on our property in an area that would be considered “full shade.” It was on the northern side of the house and had trees overhead, which provided the area with no direct sunlight during the growing season. Caladiums, like those pictured at top, were a perfect annual that added color and lightness to a dark area. Other favorites of mine were ferns (both perennial as well as more tropical annual varieties), like the monsterous Kimberly Ferns pictured below, as well Helleborus species.


Areas that are “mostly shaded” receive approximately three hours of sun a day during the growing season. These are mostly found on the east and west sides of your home and can have trees overhead. Great plants for these areas include some ferns, hydrangeas, and rhododendrons. For those who are looking for more edible plants, mint (pictured below) is a good choice for areas that are mostly shaded, as is a red currant shrub or Gotu Kola, an Asian herb that can be used in salads.



“Part-shade” areas are those that received approximately five hours of sun during the growing season. Fuschias (above) are an excellent annual choice that provides a blooming pop of color, while Heucheras (below) have an amazing array of foliage. A few more hours of light mean that even more edibles can thrive. Delicious choices are rhubarb, with their colorful, edible stalks and decorative leaves (which are not edible), assorted berries and parsley plants, incuding Italian and Mitsuba (Japanese) varieties.


Looking for even more plants for your shaded areas? Come and see what we have growing in our shade section, located at the end of our driveway. Unsure if a plant will thrive in a specific area? We have a great handout entitled Plants for All Types of Shade available both in our Garden Shop and on our website’s Garden Clippings section. As always, should you have a specific question, please give us a call or email me.

What’s your favorite shade plant?

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Instant Summer Color!


Whew! What a week it’s been here in Greenwich! The cold, soggy days of May are gone – and the hazy, hot and humid dog days of summer are right behind. Worried that you missed your window for planting? Don’t be! At McArdle’s, we still have plants arriving daily from local growers, filled with lots of options for providing that instant and lasting pop of color in the garden, filling in gaps and adding drama to the green backdrop that the spring perennials will leave behind.


Annuals such the Lantana “Firewagon” in the top picture (sun-lovers) and as the Begonias “Bonfire” and “Big Rose Angelwing” above (super in the shade) are great performers and will bloom their hearts out for you all summer long, as will the Mandevilla “Red Crimson” below. All are annuals in our zone, but can be brought inside come September to overwinter should you have the space and desire. The blue/purple shade of Lobelia "Riviera Marine Blue," also pictured below, is another great choice if you're looking towards the cooler shades of the color wheel. (And have no fear - we're fully stocked with traditional standbys such as geraniums and impatiens as well!)



When thinking about color in the garden, many instantly gravitate towards flowers, forgetting how much variation in color, texture and shape foliage can provide. Varieties of Coleus, Caladiums such as “Red Flash” and Rheos (all pictured below) are familiar standbys in the annual category. Other great perennial choices are Heucheras and Hostas – while both are flowering now, their lasting foliage is the main event. Both are available at the end of our driveway in the shade section.




Have you finished your window boxes and planters of annuals and looking for something colorful, blooming and perennial? “New technology” Endless Summer Hydrangeas bloom on new wood, enabling what used to be July favorites to bloom throughout the summer, giving the shrubs instant and virtuously uninterrupted color throughout the season.



Whether you are looking for the immediate color (spur of the moment barbeque this weekend, or perhaps a long awaited graduation party but you just haven’t had time to get the planters done with all the end of the school year activities) or are planning ahead for the rest of the summer, we have exactly what you need. Stop by, give us a call or email me – the weather this week is forecasted to be perfect for planting! Enjoy it while it lasts!

What's your favorite way to add a pop of instant color to the garden?