We're getting ready to order up some bulbs for that 10'x30' bed I just cleared this summer. The bed has a crabapple in the center and there are other trees in the front that keep the area fairly well shaded during spring/summer as well, so I want to find some varieties that will bloom early as well as some that are somewhat shade tolerant so the bed doesn't just die as soon as the trees leaf out.
Any suggestions?
James
Scilla (squill) blooms better in shade than it does in sun, & can go into deeper shade than just about any spring-flowering bulb.
Also jack-in-the-pulpits.
Grape hyacinths do also bloom pretty darned well in considerable shade. There are many species & varieties, some sterile, some aggressive spreaders, & even the ones that like more sun actually get all the sun they need in winter -- they are leafy during autumn & winter so get their bulbs "recharged" when deciduous leaves are gone from overhead, & so seem to be full-shade bulbs blooming in early to mid spring. I just love them all.
Hepatica too charges its bulb (or tubor) by keeping its leaves through in winter under deciduous shrubs & trees, so that it can bloom in spring's shadier spots.
So too winter crocus should do superbly under deciduous trees like the crabapple, since they bloom winter's end before there are leaves overhead. By the time there's no longer enough sun for them, they're done blooming anyway.
Some daffodils, & especially some of the dwarfier varieties & N. jonquilla varieties, are at least moderately accepting of shade, & increasingly so inland or southward; you'd can check individual tolerances of many cultivars & select ones bred for shade tolerance.
For shady areas humusy & moist, trilliums are super, & a lot easier to grow than some people seem to believe, the leaves often persisting in the garden spring through autumn depending on what summers are like & how moist the ground.
Dogtooth Lilies prefer shade. The only dogtooth lily that seems to be seriously EASY to grow is "Pagoda," others take more of a knack.
Chionadoxa prefers the shade.
Iris reticulata does well in shade inland in zones not too far north, though here on Puget Sound they seem to really need the sun.
Snowdrops (Galanthus) & the much bigger Leucojum do fairly well in Puget Sound shady spots; inland or a bit south they require increasing amounts of shade.
You should track exactly how many hours of sun all the areas really get. Even with a lot of trees overhanging, there may be spots that get five hours of dappled or direct sunlight or BRIGHT shade reflecting off a white-painted wall or fence, & that will extend your bulb choices with mnay things that do well in partial sun/partial shade. Several Fritillaria & especially the easiest-to-grow F. meleagris will do superbly in such spots.
Hardy cyclamens (especially C. coum and C. hederofolium in particular) are spectacular shade garden bulbs (tubors rather) & as bloom variously in autumn, winter, or earliest spring.
Allium moly (yellow onion lily) & a few other alliums though wanting more sun here on Puget Sound will tolerate considerable shade inland or further south, & in drier corners of a shade garden than most things.
Wilder forms of smaller deep orange daylilies such as in the "Elf" series do pretty well in shady spots, but not too deeply shaded.
Winter aconites (Eranthis) like semi-shady spots.
Arisarum proboscideum or Mouse-tail plant is a wonderful oddity for the shade garden.
Ranunculus tolerates some shade but not too deep.
Kaufmannia tulips stand more shade than do most tulips, especially inland or further south; I do put mine in full sun in my area though.
Zephyranthes or rainlilies have many varieties, some of which prefer partial shade. Their blooms have been very ephemeral in my garden & do not bloom at predictable times of the year but unexpectedly after heavy rainfalls.
Oxalis is a primo shade plant, some grow from bulbs others don't, the bulb ones are not invasive.
Puschkinia, Lycoris (autumn bloomer), Caladium, & Ornithogalum nutans I can't testify for personally, some need warmer climates than my area, but are supposed to be good partial shade choices.
There are a few temperate-hardy terrestrial orchids that prefer shade, but do take some attention. I had great luck with Pleione bulbocodioides & Bletilla striata this year but will have to wait & see if they return next year.
Rhizome, not bulb or tuber (note correct spelling).
To keep it simple:
Crocus (snow type), blooms earliest. Crocus (Dutch hybrid type), blooms next. Daffodil 'Ice Follies,' blooms early, easy to grow. Daffodil, later variety, your choice. Wood hyacinth. Blooms latest.
I wouldn't do tulips, since they like sun. Instead, I would extend the succession by putting in a few azaleas, astilbes, hostas, and Japanese painted fern. This will give you color throughout the summer.
Wendy Sequim, WA (Zone 8)
What about Chocolate Lilies (a type of fritillaria) and Lenten or Christmas roses (hellebores)? I'm cursed with way to much shade, so I'm giving them a try--I hope the slugs don't love them to death, as they did my hostas. zemedelec
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.