6 Great Plants That Tolerate Both Full-Sun and Shade Conditions via FineGardening [Shared]

6 Great Plants That Tolerate Both Full-Sun and Shade Conditions – FineGardening

6 Great Plants That Tolerate Both Full-Sun and Shade Conditions via FineGardening [Shared]

When designing a garden, I am often looking for plant material that tolerates both full-sun and shade conditions. Perhaps the garden bed includes a young tree that currently provides very little shade but over time will shade more and more of the garden. In this situation, I want a plant that can tolerate full sun now but will be just as happy once the garden is shaded. Or I may be looking for plants that I can weave throughout a planting to create rhythm and continuity in a garden that straddles different sun exposures. Whatever the reason, finding plants that tolerate both sun and shade is no easy task, especially in the hot Southern Plains.

The obvious choice might be plants labeled as “part sun” or “part shade”; however, many of these plants cannot tolerate our hot afternoon sun. They thrive in morning sun and afternoon shade or filtered light throughout the day. Others struggle with too much shade. After a bit of experimentation and much searching, I’ve created a plant palette that works under varying sun exposures. The following are just a few plants that transition well in these challenging sun-shade scenarios. As you experiment with others, pay attention to heat tolerance. Our sizzling summer sun is often the limiting factor.

Read 6 Great Plants That Tolerate Both Full-Sun and Shade Conditions – FineGardening

Dry gardens explained – 10 expert tips for a lush landscape via Livingetc [Shared]

Dry gardens explained – 10 expert tips for a lush landscape | Livingetc

Dry gardens explained - 10 expert tips for a lush landscape via Livingetc [Shared]

Dry gardens get their name from the fact that they’re never watered, relying solely on rainfall. How good does that sound – freedom from watering duties forever. But that’s not their only benefit. Our summers are getting hotter and drier because of climate change. This means it’s a good idea to choose plants that will cope with dry soil and no additional watering if you’re concerned about water consumption.

Although the name doesn’t sound particularly appealing you can still have lush foliage and soft textures if you’re clever about dry garden design. Creating dry gardens is easy to do and it requires less maintenance than regular gardens as you generally leave it to get on with things. It taps into the sustainability trend too, saving water by using drought tolerant plants and mulching with gravel to keep the soil moist.

Read Dry gardens explained – 10 expert tips for a lush landscape | Livingetc

Drought Friendly Landscaping in the neighborhood via Instagram [Photography]

Drought Friendly Landscaping in the neighborhood via Instagram [Photography]

@douglaswelch #Drought Friendly #Landscaping in the neighborhood via #Instagram [#Photography] #succulent #cactus #plants #garden #gardening #droughttolerantlandscape ♬ Twilight – Spencer Hunt

From my Instagram Feed

Interesting Plant: Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea) via BeWaterWise (@bewaterwiseh2o)

Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea) via BeWaterWise.com

A few months ago I was invited down the office of the Metropolitan Water District to meet a number of people involved in their BeWaterWise.com project to help reduce water usage in California. As part of their efforts, they focus on providing plant alternatives to water hungry lawns. Over the next several weeks, I will be highlighting some of their garden alternatives as part of this series. For more information on these plants and other water conservation ideas and programs, vist BeWaterWise.comFollow the MWD on Twitter at BeWaterWiseH2O — Douglas

Hummingbird sage.jpg
Hummingbird sage” by Taken by Antandrusen:Image:Hummingbird_sage.jpg. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

This hardy, small clumping sage is a magnet for hummingbirds because of its spikes of deep magenta owers. This sage prefers shade to partial sun and requires moderate water although its root system helps it to survive drought. — BeWaterWise.com

Salvia spathacea (pitcher sage or hummingbird sage) is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae, native to southern and central California growing from sea level to 610 m (2,001 ft). This fruity scented sage blooms in March to May with typically dark rose-lilac colored flowers. It is cultivated in gardens for its attractive flowering spikes and pleasant scent. — Wikipedia

More information on Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea):


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Previously in the Interesting Plant series: 

Interesting Plant is a series from A Gardener’s Notebook blog and podcast that highlights the most interesting plants I find in my Internet and real-world travels — Douglas