Thrifty shade landscaping

[rainarana]

Yay! So happy to see this com waking up. I didn't do too much gardening last year other than to fill in some spots and very basic maintenance due to being so busy with my part-time gig refinishing furniture but am really itching to get out and get dirty. Also, my husband and I are building an apartment over the garage and it has a small yard/garden

Comments

[ritaxis]

Whereabouts are you? I have a yard with dry shade in a lot of it, but I'm in COastal California so my natives and "near-natives" (Latin American salvias mostly) might not work for you. It sounds like you're somewhere with a cold winter?

Anyway, I was going to suggest seeing if there's a viola species that's suited to your area. Those little guys are tough and adaptable and they spread slowly and we have some that are native to north America. They're cute in all growth stages too. Also campanula though I don't think there are native ones.

[rainarana]

I completely forgot to add my zone, but I fixed that. 7A. It seems I've seen some violas around but hadn't really looked into them much. I'll have to have a look. I'd also love to plant some trillium if I could find some that can handle the conditions.

[ritaxis]

Wild trilliums in my area grow in conditions where there is a summer drought and winter flood. I have no idea if they need the winter flood but they can handle the summer drought!