Primrose, azaleas and rhododendrons, you could also try some of the blue grasses. I have some Elijah's blue fescue beneath some pines. I also have a rose bush that has been planted beneath a bunch of pines and a cedar (just to the front of them) for 10 years that outdoes itself each year. My irises didn't ever bloom under my pines so I've had to move them all but some small rhizomes still pop up each year. When I lived in Mississippi I had loads of white irises beneath a chinaberry tree so it may just depend on the tree and I also have some purple ones under an oak now that is extremely dry that bloom. You might also want to try some succulents, sedums, hens and chicks of different colors too. Good luck with whatever you plant. Nancy

I grow Siberian iris in part sun/part shade and they bloom and grow without problem. There are Cimicifuga (AKA Actea) such as 'Brunette' with dark purple/maroon leaves that do well in part shade, and have white spires of flowers in late summer. Some folks have found them fussy, but I've not had problems. They are quite deer resistant. There are some varieties of clematis that do well in part sun/shade - I'd google for clematis & shade or go to Clematis on the Web and either search or see if there is a list of shade tolerant clematis there. I have one (I think 'Blue Angel') that grows on the east side of my house, and only gets morning sun, though high, bright shade the rest of the day. It is flourishing. I also had a clematis 'Venosa Violacea' which is purple & white that grew well & bloomed in the same part shade garden as the Actea & Siberian iris until the voles ate the roots last winter. :>( Here is a link that might be useful: Clematis on the Web

If they get bright indirect light they will survive. However, if you give them a few hours of direct sun, either morning sun or intermittently, they will bloom thier heads of. If they get filtered sun (e.g. dappled shade from the spaces between the leaves of large tall mature trees) they will also do ok. In dark areas of the garden with no or little direct light they will not do well. Avoid all day hot sun, or placing them in a southern or western position where light surfaces may radiate hot sun on them in the afternoon. Eastern exposures are best.

I, too am interested in planting a fall garden and wondered when do you decide to tear out the old and put in the new? My squash,cucumbers and okra are still doing well & one yellow pear tomato but the beans, red tomatoes, & yellow squash have given out or never did well. I did pull them out. Is it ok to bury the plants in the garden to start composting the soil where they were growing? I live in Central TX and it stays hot until way into Sept. so wouldn't the transplants of broccoli, cabbage, etc. wilt in our TX heat and sun? Or do you plant only seeds for a fall garden? I like the idea of putting up shade cloth. Here is a link that might be useful: Mia's Garden