shade plant question

[SE18]

just wanted to follow up with you all. It's been unseasonably cold in N. Va. with overnight in low 30s. Visited various plant nurseries and they tell me water plants won't be available for several weeks. They have some for full sun but none for shade or partial shade (I took my list with me).

I was very disappointed so I went hunting for natural water plants and found a few. Not colorful, just green.

Then today, I went to WalMart for some land plants and to my surprise, there were caladiums (spell?) for $5. So I picked up 2 of them. I had no idea they'd like water. So I placed them in the partial shade areas and we shall see what happens.

The package said they are annuals so does that mean they die each year and need to be replaced?

 

[Mmathis]

The package said they are annuals so does that mean they die each year and need to be replaced?

I think so, yes. It's been a while since I had any.

 

[j.w]

You want something that will take over and likes shade the Chameleon plant will do that and it is very pretty but once you have it you will have it forever. It will fit right into your train setup as they say the plants smell like diesel oil!

http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/orn...ameleon-plant/grow-chameleon-ground-cover.htm

 

[Lisak1]

If you plant chameleon plant MAKE SURE you contain it! It is highly invasive and will take over any terrestrial plant bed. We have put it in our bog, but we make sure to keep a close eye on it and nip it back when it gets too crazy. Pretty plant but a real garden bully!

 

[SE18]

thanks; I'll look for chamelion today. The thought of finding water plants in the land plant section of garden centers never occurred to me! If I'd known that I would have asked for a list of plants normally sold as land plants that also do well in water. If you know of any other land plants please let me know. Thanks

 

[Lisak1]

If I'd known that I would have asked for a list of plants normally sold as land plants that also do well in water

Your average garden center will be hard pressed to give you that information. And in fact most will specifically tell you that the plants you are interested in planting in your pond won't work - they don't have pond knowledge generally. I like to ask the question to see what they say, then point out all the things that they DO have that do great in ponds - like papyrus or hosta or impatiens... the list is pretty extensive. I keep encouraging my local garden centers to do a "great plants for your water garden" section, but they haven't taken me up on it yet!

 

[SE18]

thanks; I'll be sure to check out the three you just named; I guess good help is hard to get/find anywhere these days, meaning someone who is knowledgable and passionate about the products they sell. Whenever I find someone with those qualities, I go out of my way to let them know I appreciate their help!

I really learned a lot in this thread. If something turns up I'll let you know about it

 

[Lisak1]

You can just google "plants that grow in ponds or bogs" and you will find lists of plants that others have created and posted. In fact, I think there's a thread here somewhere - let me go check.

 

[Lisak1]

Nope - can't find it. @addy1 do you recall - I feel like you may have posted a list of plants you've grown in your pond and people added other suggestions. Or maybe i just dreamed up a good thread!

 

[j.w]

A lot of the clumping Sedges like their feet in water and will grow nicely in the shade.

 

[SE18]

just returned from Home Depot and they had plant sales b/c the cold is driving away customers.

Got a small hosta and 2 types of liriope, the green and the variagated type, sort of looks like the hedges J.W. just posted.

Of course, none of the sales people knew these tolerated water; i'll get some of the bigger sedges for deeper water like J.W. showed; they look stately

 

[j.w]

Nice ones and they will get lots bigger too. Some you can divide into more plants as they grow.