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Tall plant or shrub for back of shade garden

Posted by chezmoose z4 MI (My Page) on
Mon, May 1, 06 at 10:57

I have a fairly large shade garden (approx. 20'x20'), kind of a semi-circular shape and have left room in the back center for a large plant or shrub. Now I just need help deciding what to plant there! The area is under maple trees but gets some dappled sunlight throughout the day and there's open sky on the north side. We're zone 4 but are pretty sheltered because of the maple trees and get a lot of snow. The soil is pretty sandy but has been amended with a couple yards of Dairy Doo.

I would like something that provides a lot of visual interest all season long. I am considering the Golden Shadows Pagoda Dogwood or possibly mountain laurel. Any comments about either of these or alternate suggestions would be appreciated.


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Tall plant or shrub for back of shade garden

kerria japonica, but maybe its not hardy enough, no does it offer at lot of interest in the fall. how about a vibernum?


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RE: Tall plant or shrub for back of shade garden

Actually kerria do quite well up here (if the mice don't get them in the winter!)
I have a variegated one in front of my house with single flowers. It doesn't seem to grow as fast as the others, but it's a cute, airy shrub. Kerria are one of those really cool shrubs that not too many people seem to know about....


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RE: Tall plant or shrub for back of shade garden

Hydrangea. The experts on the hydrangea forum could make suggestions on which variety would be best suited for your zone. I'm in Z5 and my All Summer Beauty definitely held up to its name last summer!


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