Dry Shade

Growing plants in dry shade can be a problem. 

The Spotted Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum) thrives In the dry shade of our old French Lilac. I moved the dead nettle two or three years ago.  They are starting to fill in and provide bright leaf and flower color.

Thirty cultivars provide a diverse plant list to choose from.  Among Glories of Snow and Grape Hyacinths (above), 'Purple Dragon' on the left shows a lot of silvery leaf.  'Elizabeth De Haas' to the right has a silver stripe.  The flowers are almost identical.

Lamium 'White Nancy' differs only in flower color.

This yellow-leaved cultivar was a pass-a-long from a friend.  I don’t know its name but it could be ‘Aureum’.  It has yellow leaves with a white stripe.  No flowers yet.

Lamium maculatum is rabbit and deer resistant.  I haven’t noticed any damage from slugs or chewing insects.  They are easy to hoe out if they spread too far.

Simple to maintain and brightly marked, dead nettle is a good plant for the dry shade where not much will grow without constant watering.

Plant Evaluation Notes from Chicago Botanic Gardens here.  

Spotted Dead Nettle

Lamium maculatum

Since I’m still having computer problems and can’t access many files or pictures, I’ve been trying to answer my own question about new plants for next year from memory.

I think my brain hurts.

One plant I’m sure to add is spotted dead nettle.

I plan to buy some “White Nancy’. I’ve seen this pretty white bloomer in other gardens. It should brighten the dry shade of the large French Lilac. (See Spring Pruning post from May 12, 2010.)

I’ll move some ‘Purple Dragon’ that has done well under a locust tree. It blooms most of the summer.

I hope to get more color around the lilac. It’s a tough place to grow plants - dry and full of roots. Time will tell.

More information on Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’ and ‘Purple Dragon’ from Dave’s Garden.



I’ll be on vacation starting next week. Hopefully, when I get back at the end of the month the computer problems will be fixed. I’ll have lots to share of my travels and I will be able to plan for next year’s garden in earnest.

I wish you all a joyful Thanksgiving.

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Digging

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From this

to this


and this. (The upside down pot marks the place for the little pink azalea’s new home.)

My friend, Cindie, stopped by and helped get some of my plants dug and divided. Don’t you love when a friend is also a gardener? We got the hosta divided into 4 pieces and replanted. Cindie is dynamite with a shovel!

We dug some Tansy for Cindie’s garden.

And potted the Red hot poker.

We also removed some Lily of the Valley, Dead Nettle (Lamium) and False Forget-Me-Not (Brunnera). An altogether good work day. Thank you Cindie.

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Dreaming of Spring

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Every spring I have plants to move or divide. I set up a word document each year to use as my garden journal. I keep lists (there I go with the lists again).

During the growing season when I’m working in the garden and see a plant that needs to be divided, I add it to the “To Be Divided” list. I also have a “Move” list. The “Give Away” list includes requests from friends.. There is also a “To Buy” list but that’s another story.

I’ve been checking my lists. It almost makes me feel like I’m gardening.

To Move.

The pretty hosta will be divided added to the new garden. (See September 29, 2009 Post “New Garden”.) It should add some brightness to this shady spot.

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This little ruffled pink azalea will also move to the new garden. Last spring I thought it was dead. It doesn’t do well crowded where it is. I hope it will have a better chance with more room to grow.

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The liatris (Liatris spicata 'Purple Spikes’) was dug in behind the garage temporarily several years ago. It’s time for a permanent home. I’ll move it next to the liatris that I relocated last spring.

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Give Away.

Sheffield Pink mum – I always have requests for this pretty mum.

Dead Nettle (Lamium) (picture top of post) – a great dry shade plant. A friend has a perfect place for it.

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Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia uvaria) – Another temporary “dig in”. I found someone who would like the plant. I have a huge clump in my front garden and certainly don’t need any more.

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Tansy (Tanacetum) – I have a request for this ferny-leafed plant. I forgot to divide it last year so the request will be filled a year late.

To Be Divided.

Several plants need to be divided and will be looking for a new home.
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Liriope (lilyturf) next to the hydrangea – this tough little grass is overgrown and crowded. I will need to divide it with a hatchet or sharp saw.

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Forget Me Not (Brunnera macrophylla) – Over the years this plant has spread and reseeded to the point of taking over. The profusion of blue flowers is lovely in April but there are just too many of them.

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Tall (6 ft.) yellow rudbeckia (Rudbeckia nitida 'Herbstsonne) – This plant was divided an moved last October when I planted the Sky Pencil Holly in its place. Some of the divisions were “dug in” and need to find a permanent home.

I keep dreaming of spring. Now, back to my winter list. I’ve already checked off five and a half items.

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Garden Bloggers Bloom Day - November 2008

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(Christmas cactus – earliest of my cacti to bloom, white with a pink tint. )

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In the comments on my October Bloom Day post, HappyMouffetard said, “Welcome to GBBD. It's addictive, and makes you look at your garden with fresh eyes each month.”

She is right. It creates “stop and smell the roses moment.” It is addictive. Another great idea from Carol at May Dreams Gardens. I'm glad I got these pictures taken before the last two days of rain.

(Can you guess the blooms I would not have noticed if it wasn’t for GBBD? HINT: most of them.)

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Deep pink mum – a potted Easter gift - planted in ‘06 and moved in ‘07.

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Yellow mum volunteer – 2nd year.


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Calendula – re-seeds every year. Another reminder of my Grandmother’s garden.

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Sweet alyssum – continues its perfume in the autumn sun.



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Dusty Miller – flower bud removed. Proof in the picture.

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Rose – climber ‘Don Juan’ – the last rose of summer.




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Lamium – Dead Nettle under the locust tree – either ‘Elizabeth de Haas’ or ‘Purple Dragon’

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Nicotiana – another re-seeding annual

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Snap Dragon – stands bravely against the frost.

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Red Azalea – silly shrub thinks it’s spring.

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Also not pictured:
Sedum seiboldii – October Daphne – at the end of it’s color.
Lavender ‘Grosso’ – a few fall blooms.

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