Do you have large shady spots you would like to bring alive with color? Some plants will bloom consistently in shade while others add lasting color to your shade garden with bold foliage. Here are some great choices.

Purple oxalis has large triangular, deep purple leaves with flowers that range in color from pink to lilac. Some gardeners avoid oxalis because it tends to be invasive but that is not true of purple oxalis. It makes a great border in shade gardens. Good companion plants are ferns, hostas and impatiens. If the foliage deteriorates over time you can cut it back and it will return with a new vigor.

Japanese fatsia is a great shade-loving shrub. It has a tropical look with leaves that fan out to about 10 inches across. It works well in containers and thrives in deep shade. It also has white winter blooms that produce viable seeds for starting transplants. It looks good with Japanese acuba which comes in many varieties with leaves from solid green to speckled yellow. To continue the tropical look, add caladiums. They brighten up any shade garden with a mix of red and white foliage.

Coleus is another good choice. From bright red to deep red and from dark green to lime green, there is no end to the color you can add. There are many varieties and you can use varying heights to create a stunning display.

Now let’s concentrate on a few great bloomers. Maracas, or Brazilian fireworks, is related to the shrimp plant. It has a red cone with flowers that are a deep lavender. The foliage is a variegated silver and green. Maracas is a heat loving tropical shade plant. With a height of 8-12 inches, it is good for the front of a border or planted in clumps. Best of all, the hummingbirds love it.

Another colorful bloomer is veranda. It is related to salvia and has bluish purple blooms. It has an open arching habit, making it a good choice for containers and baskets.

Lastly, don’t forget impatiens. There is a reason they are so popular. They add spectacular color with little or no maintenance. You can mix a variety of colors that will put on a great show for many months.

Helpful information — There is a wealth of information on the Mississippi State University Extension Service website, msucares.com. Southern Gardening Television is a weekly, 1 1/2 minute television segment designed for persons interested in lawn and garden care. If you miss it on television you can watch it directly from the website or on YouTube. Archived shows go back for several years and are listed by topic.

We have had a short, mild winter so it is time to get out and enjoy, happy gardening!

Email your questions or comments to me at newsroom@natchezdemocrat.com.

 

Karen O’Neal is an Adams County Master Gardener.