LHAP 304 - Shade Plants

Slide 1 LHAP 304 - S.H.P - Shade Plants Slide 2 ASTERACEAE Family Slide 3 The ASTERACEAE Family (Aster Family) Inflorescence is called Head or Capitulum - with Ray (Ligulate / Strap) and/or Disc (tube) florets Mature Fruit is an Achene SHALLOW NECTARIES Slide 4 Slide 5 Ligularia dentata Ligularia Most often this plant is referred to with its cultivar name, for example, “Othello Ligularia” Origin: China Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Shade to part shade Soil Conditions: High organic content, moist Slide 6 Ligularia dentata - Ligularia FOLIAGE: Texture - simple, alternate, basal, petiolate. Large. Margins are dentate Colour - Dark green top with purple underside Other - Wilts in direct sunlight Slide 7 Ligularia dentata - Ligularia FORM: Height and Spread - About 1m x 1m (definitely larger in consistently moist, organic soils) Root Type - clumping Shape - Rounded Slide 8 Ligularia dentata - Ligularia Flower: Type - Corymb Colour - yellow or Orange Season of Bloom - Late Summer Other - sweetly fragrant Slide 9 Ligularia dentata - Ligularia Landscape Use: Contrast plant Shade gardens Height/textural interest Accent or Mass planting Winter interest (dry flower only) Sensory garden (smell) Slide 10 This example is Britt Marie Crawford (cultivar) - note the even darker leaves and rich coloured underside. It pairs nicely with Bergenia as its slow to come up in spring. Slide 11 Slide 12 Slide 13 Slide 14 Ligularia dentata - Ligularia Maintenance Considerations: Wilts in direct sunlight Can be slow to establish Purchased as #2 often Slug and Hail Damage Slide 15 Hail Damage Slide 16 Ligularia stenocephala Ligularia Although also always referred to by cultivar, this is only ever The Rocket or Little Rocket Ligularia. Origin: China Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Shade to part shade Soil Conditions: High organic content, moist Slide 17 Ligularia stenocephala - Ligularia (The Rocket/Little Rocket) FOLIAGE: Texture - simple, alternate, basal, petiolate. Large. Margins are deeply indented Colour - Medium Green Other - Wilts in the sun. Slide 18 Ligularia stenocephala Ligularia (The Rocket/Little Rocket) FORM: Height and Spread - variable by species - greater than 1m x 1m Root Type - clumping Shape - Upright Oval - flowers rise above foliage Slide 19 Ligularia stenocephala - Ligularia (The Rocket/Little Rocket) Flower: Type - Raceme Colour - Bright Yellow Season of Bloom - Mid-late summer. Other - can be a bit unattractive as the top is either not flowering yet or the bottom is finished. (see next slide) Slide 20 Photo taken late July 2024. North facing sideyard (deep shade most of the day). Slide 21 Ligularia stenocephala - Ligularia (The Rocket/Little Rocket) Landscape Use: The same as Ligularia dentata - there’s no real functional difference, it’s more aesthetics: Flower colour, Plant shape, Leaf margin and colour. And this one flowers a little earlier in the season. You may be less likely to use it as a winter interest as you may cutback the spent inflorescence. Slide 22 Slide 23 Ligularia stenocephala - Ligularia (The Rocket/Little Rocket) Maintenance Considerations: Wilts in direct sunlight (maybe a little less than L. dentata) Can be slow to establish Purchased as #2 often Slug and Hail Damage The same as Ligularia dentata Slide 24 The RANUNCULACEAE (Buttercup) Family POISON!!! Plant contains poisonous or toxic compounds Slide 25 Showy flowers, medium to large in size to attract pollinators Many stamens Petals may evolve into spurred nectaries Petals may evolve into hoods No Hypanthium Often leaves are lobed or highly incised / fine(er) texture Slide 26 Actaea racemosa - Bugbane Origin: Asia/Siberia Hardiness Zone: 3/4 Exposure: Full sun to Part Shade Soil Conditions: Moist, well drained soil Slide 27 Actaea racemosa - Bugbane FOLIAGE: Texture - Relatively fine textured, Bipinnately compound leaves Colour - Dark Green to Purple, purple stems. FORM: Height and Spread - 1.5 m x .5 m Growth Habit - Clumping Shape - Oval Slide 28 Note the relative sizes: Mature Bugbane in the back (not yet in flower) Rocket Ligularia in mid level Othello Ligularia in the front row (not yet in flower) Slide 29 Stems purple Leaves compound in 3’s - borders on bipinnately compound. Leaflets serrate - deeply incised. Slide 30 Actaea racemosa - Bugbane Flower: Type - Raceme (racemosa) Colour - White/pink Season of Bloom - Late Summer Other - sweetly fragrant Slide 31 Slide 32 Actaea racemosa - Bugbane Landscape Use: Shade Plant Textural contrast Accent Colour Rabbit Browse resistant Slide 33 Actaea racemosa - Bugbane Maintenance Considerations: Marginal hardiness? Slow establishment Expensive to purchase (comes in #2 size usually). Slide 34 Slide 35 The PAPAVERACEAE Family Order: Ranunculales Subfamilies: Poppies and Fumatories (subfamilies are further divided into tribes) Plants with laticifers - yielding a milky juice Alternate leaves, usually deeply incised MANY stamens in 2 whorls Fruit is a capsule (1 chamber many seeds) Slide 36 Dicentra spectabilis - Bleeding Heart Origin: Siberia, Japan Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Full to part shade Soil Conditions: Moist, well drained, organic soil Significant Features... Slide 37 Dicentra spectabilis - Bleeding Heart Slide 38 Dicentra spectabilis - Bleeding Heart Identifying Features FOLIAGE: Texture - Medium textured Colour - Green (cultivar dependent) Other - Will not tolerate wind, leaves die back mid summer. Slide 39 Dicentra spectabilis - Bleeding Heart - Identifying Features FORM: Height and Spread - 60 - 90cm x 50 -75cm Root Type - Fleshy rhizome Shape - Round, oval Slide 40 Root: spongey/ fleshy rhizome - needs oxygen, divides easily. Slide 41 Dicentra spectabilis - Bleeding Heart Identifying Features Flower: Type - Pendulous, heart shaped Colour - Pink, white, red Season of Bloom - Spring/Early Summer! Other - Very Elegant Slide 42 Flowering time: Lupins & Asiatic Poppies blooming at the same time. Trees in full leaf. Slide 43 Dicentra spectabilis - Bleeding Heart Landscape Use: Background / Accent Spring feature Cottage Gardens Specimen (not mass plant) Slide 44 Dicentra spectabilis - Bleeding Heart Maintenance Considerations: Cut back in mid summer to get a second flush of foliage Plant with summer bloomers Can suffer stem and root rots Slide 45 Bleeding Heart Maintenance. Photo on the left: Scraggly growth ONLY cut back (note Siberian Iris in the back, also not cut back) Photo on the right: Fully cut back to the ground after flowering (in July). Note the height of the second flush, ca. 1m round. Slide 46 Slide 47 @Olds College - East facing bed, by west doors of Land Science. Slide 48 Dicentra eximia - Fern Leaf Bleeding Heart Slide 49 Dicentra eximia - Fern Leaf Bleeding Heart Highlights, compared to D. spectabilis: MORE shade tolerant MUCH smaller (30 cm top height vs almost 1m) Finer Textured Does not need to be cut back (foliage stays green through summer) Extended period of bloom (some cultivars are early summer with rebloom, some can be mid summer to frost). Potentially less hardy Some people don’t like the flowers as much as the Old Fashioned Slide 50 Dicentra eximia - Fern Leaf Bleeding Heart Landscape Use: Mid to front of bed, specimen. Textural contrast Slide 51 Flowering time corresponding with the peonies Slide 52 Slide 53 The SAXIFRAGACEAE Family Mostly Perennial, herbaceous plants Native primarily to northern, cold and temperate climates Slide 54 Flower cluster rises above a basal whorl of leaves… Regular flower with equal amounts of 4 - 5 petals & sepals and 5 - 10 stamens Pistil divided Fruit = Capsule full of seeds Slide 55 Second Year Review - Heuchera Slide 56 Heuchera species - Coral Bells Highlights: Hardiness Zone: 2-3 Exposure: Part shade to full sun. Soil: Well-drained, organic loam. Foliage: Many colours, scalloped Form: Basal cluster, spreads weakly, rising inflorescence Flower: Cymose panicle, pink to nearly red, summer blooming (june - august) Use: Rock gardens, accent, protected spaces. Slide 57 On to the new plants… Slide 58 Astilbe species - Astilbe Origin: Asia Hardiness Zone: 2 - 3 Exposure: Full or Part Sun to Part or Full Shade Soil Conditions: Moist/Well drained Slide 59 Astilbe species - Astilbe FOLIAGE: Texture - Bipinnately compound, relatively fine texture, Margins very serrate Colour - Green Slide 60 Astilbe species - Astilbe FORM: Height and Spread - 30 cm x 30 cm. Growth Habit - Clumping Shape - Low Oval Slide 61 Astilbe species - Astilbe Flower: Type - Tight, plume-like panicles (branched raceme) Colour - Pink or White primarily. Violets & Reds now Season of Bloom - Summer Other - light fragrance Slide 62 Slide 63 Astilbe species - Astilbe Landscape Use: Shade Plant Textural Contrast Deer and Rabbit Browse resistant A. Chinensis - more drought tolerant Maintenance Considerations: Needs moist, organic soils Slide 64 Slide 65 So. Which is which?? Slide 66 Also a SAXIFRAGACEAE…. Slide 67 Bergenia - Bergenia Origin: Siberia Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Full sun to Full Shade Soil Conditions: Adapted to any well drained soil Significant Features... Slide 68 Slide 69 Bergenia species - Bergenia FOLIAGE: Texture - Broad, leathery, glabrous Colour - Green, then red in fall Other - Evergreen! Slide 70 Slide 71 FORM: Height and Spread - 30cm x 25-30 cm Root Type - Thick Tuber-like stem and polite rhizomes Shape - Low Growing Clump Bergenia species - Bergenia Slide 72 Flower: Type - Nodding Cyme Colour - Pink hues Season of Bloom - Late May (Spring - Early Summer) Other - Flowers held on knee high stems Longer lasting flower than some other species. Bergenia species - Bergenia Slide 73 Slide 74 Landscape Use: Front of Border Used en masse and alone Rock / Alpine Garden Leaves in Floristry Sensory (touch and sound) Bergenia species - Bergenia Slide 75 Maintenance Considerations: Do not cut back the foliage unless it is dead (evergreen) Check in spring Cut back flowerheads when finished Bergenia species - Bergenia Slide 76 An old stand beside a spruce tree - note the cotoneaster in full flower, but the ninebark hasn’t even started yet. Grass still semi dormant. Slide 77 East facing planting - note the proximity of Ligularia and Bird’s Nest Spruce! Bergenia is compact and tidy. Daylilies flowering! (they don’t need a lot of sun). Slide 78 The APIACEAE (Carrot/Parsley) Family Usually aromatic plants with hollow stems 300 genera and more than 3,000 species! Parsley Dill Anise Lovage Parsnip Fennel Carrot Coriander Cumin Poison Hemlock Carway Celery Angelica Chervil Slide 79 Spotted Water-hemlock A very dangerous Apiaceae found growing in Alberta (Cicutoxin poison bearing roots / stem) Found in wet, marshy habitats (looks like water parsnip but has compound leaves and a purple streaked stem). Slide 80 APIACEAE Fruits are ridged and made of 2 parts that split at maturity… Slide 81 Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’ Variegated Goutweed Origin: Europe Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: ANY! (Shade, Part Shade, Full Sun) Soil Conditions: Widely adapted to most soils Significant Features... Slide 82 Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’ - Variegated Goutweed Some clients will also refer to this plant as: “Snow on the Mountain” Slide 83 Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’ Variegated Goutweed - Identifying Features FOLIAGE: Texture - Bi-ternately Compound with broadly ovate leaflets. Slightly scalloped margins Colour - Light green with white margins. Other - Foliage is attractive, but when unkempt it can be mowed. When crushed, has a slightly herby smell. Slide 84 Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’ Variegated Goutweed - Identifying Features FORM: Height and Spread - 40 cm (16”) x 1.5 m PLUS (5’) Root Type - Aggressive rhizomes Shape - Clumping (very quickly!) Slide 85 Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’ Variegated Goutweed - Identifying Features Flower: Type - Umbel Colour - White Season of Bloom - Early to Mid Summer Other - not showy Slide 86 Note: growing into the lawn. Slide 87 Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’ Variegated Goutweed Landscape Use: Anywhere that quick coverage is key Erosion Control Places that are hard to establish Mass Plantings (MUST be) Deer and Rabbit resistant Slide 88 Slide 89 Formation of a forest floor - out competing other weeds, creating variegation / contrast. Slide 90 Slide 91 Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’ Variegated Goutweed Maintenance Considerations: Contain it! - chemical control is often required (consider planting monocots) Cut it back in the Fall Rogue out green leafed Species. Slide 92 The ROSACEAE Family What do we know from this family? Slide 93 Tasty Fruit (Drupes & Drupelets, Pomes, & Achenes) Often Thorny Many stamens on flowers Usually woody Leaves usually alternate (may be palmate or compound) Compound leaflets often ovate and serrate Slide 94 Alchemilla mollis - Lady’s Mantle Origin: Asia Minor Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Partial Shade - Full sun Soil Conditions: cool, moist, fertile soil Significant Features... Slide 95 Alchemilla mollis Lady’s Mantle Slide 96 Alchemilla mollis - Lady’s Mantle FOLIAGE: Texture - Palmate leaf, scalloped margin, pleated, pubescent. Colour - Rich green Other - Leaves are partially cupped at maturity and trap water Slide 97 Alchemilla mollis - Lady’s Mantle Identifying Features FORM: Height and Spread - 25 cm (leaves only) x 60 cm. Dwarf versions are available Root Type - fibrous Shape/habit - Clumping Slide 98 Alchemilla mollis - Lady’s Mantle Identifying Features Flower: Type - Compound Cyme, showy sepals. Apetalous. Colour - Chartreuse Season of Bloom - early-mid July (Mid Summer) Slide 99 Alchemilla mollis - Lady’s Mantle Landscape Use: Middle of the border Mass planting, or small groupings Sensory Garden (touch) Textural contrast (combine with hosta?) Cut flower or dried Slide 100 Slide 101 Alchemilla mollis - Lady’s Mantle Maintenance Considerations: Some do not like the flower / shear when finished Spider mites when environment is too dry Margins scorch in inadequate moisture Divide periodically Water with dissolved particulates will show (fertigation not great) Slide 102 4 Subfamilies: Asparagus, Beargrass Brodiaea, Agave - adaptable! Flower parts in 3s Well adapted to environments Monocots Rising Inflorescence ASPARAGACEAE Slide 103 Hosta species and cultivars - Hosta Origin: Japan, Korea, China Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Full shade to Full sun Soil Conditions: Well drained, highly organic loam. Significant Features... Slide 104 Hosta species and cultivars - Hosta Slide 105 Hosta species and cultivars - Hosta FOLIAGE: Texture - Broad, simple leaves. Petiolate Basal cluster. Margins entire Colour - Greens, white, yellow, some with variegation Other - Veins somewhat puckered. Some cultivars have narrower leaves, some are now wavy Slide 106 Slide 107 Hosta species and cultivars - Hosta FORM: Height and Spread - 25 - 150 cm tall and wide Root Type - Fleshy fibrous Shape/habit - Clumping / Round Slide 108 Hosta species and cultivars - Hosta Flower: Type - trumpet shaped flower on (usually) tall raceme Colour - purples & white (assume purple) Season of Bloom - usually mid Summer Other - double forms available. Slide 109 Lower photos taken late July 2024 - a “year of the Aphid” - flower colour ranges from pale violet to dark violet, sometimes white. Height is typically proportional to size of plant. Photo above - slow establishing - photo taken June 11 2025 - some are still barely out of the ground. Slide 110 Hosta species and cultivars - Hosta Landscape Use: Front - mid En Masse (mix cvs) or alone Woodlands Moist shady sites. Foliage contrast Sensory touch (underside of leaf) Slide 111 Hosta species and cultivars - Hosta Maintenance Considerations: SLUGS & Hail Cut back in Fall Pips can be slow to show Cut off finished scapes Slide 112 Slide 113 The LAMIACEAE Family - Mint Family! Another Family you likely know well containing: Hemp nettle Deadnettle As well as: Lavender Mint Basil Rosemary Sage Savory Marjoram Oregano Thyme Leaves are opposite/whorled arrangement Stems are square Frequently aromatic with essential oils Easy to propagate from cuttings Slide 114 Slide 115 Lamium maculatum - Lamium / Spotted Dead Nettle Origin: Europe Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Full to part Shade Soil Conditions: Well drained, moist soil Significant Features... Slide 116 Lamium maculatum - Lamium Some know it as “Spotted Dead Nettle”, but it is most commonly referred to in Industry as Lamium. Slide 117 FOLIAGE: Texture - Leaves opposite, simple, and ovate with acute apex. Margins serrate, leaves tomentose. Overall effect rugose/rough to touch. Colour - Dark green with silver strip Other - SQUARE STEM. Strong herby aroma when crushed. Lamium maculatum - Lamium / Spotted Dead Nettle Slide 118 FORM: Height and Spread - 15 cm x 90 cm Root Type - aggressive fibrous root Shape - Mat forming Lamium maculatum - Lamium / Spotted Dead Nettle Slide 119 Flower: Type - axillary clusters Colour - pink, white, yellow Season of Bloom - Crossover plant: early summer to Fall. Lamium maculatum - Lamium / Spotted Dead Nettle Slide 120 Landscape Use: Brightens shady areas Groundcover / front of perennial beds Rock Garden (tumbling over walls) or Forest Floor Lamium maculatum - Lamium / Spotted Dead Nettle Slide 121 Slide 122 North east facing, full shade bed. Used as a groundcover with… which other shade plants? Slide 123 Lamium maculatum - Lamium Maintenance Considerations: Dries out quickly - should mulch it Evergreen Slide 124 Example bottom left: not great - it’s just a thing that’s alive in the planter… right is much better as a shade area groundcover in a challenging location (next to sidewalk and under hydrant) Slide 125 Another LAMIACEAE Slide 126 Ajuga reptans - Bugleweed / Ajuga Origin: Europe/North Africa/Asia Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: officially full sun - part shade Soil Conditions: Widely adapted. Slide 127 Ajuga reptans - Bugleweed / Ajuga FOLIAGE: Texture - Fine textured, glossy foliage, scalloped margins. Colour - Green/Purple, variegated form available Other - Evergreen FORM: Height and Spread - 15 cm, indefinite Root Type - Creeping, Mat form, Shallow roots, Can be invasive. Slide 128 Slide 129 Ajuga reptans - Bugleweed Flower: Type - Typical LAMIACEAE flower, in spikes Colour - Blue/Purple (what IS blue?) Season of Bloom - Early Summer Slide 130 Ajuga reptans - Bugleweed Landscape Use: Rock Garden Ground Cover Shade Garden Green Roof Maintenance Considerations: Evergreen Potentially invasive Drought tolerant Deer and Rabbit browse resistant. Slide 131 Bugleweed in Rocky Mountain House… Slide 132 The APOCYNACEAE Family (Dogbane) Includes 424 genera and 1500 species! 4 Subfamilies: Rauvolfioideae Apocynoideae Secamonoideae Asclepiadoideae Slide 133 Mostly tropical Milky sap = poison Simple, opposite leaves Lobed calyx / corolla Pairs of pods Slide 134 Vinca minor Periwinkle Origin: Europe Hardiness Zone: 3 Exposure: Part shade to full sun Soil Conditions: Organic, well drained loam Significant Features... Slide 135 Vinca minor Periwinkle - Identifying Features FOLIAGE: Texture - Fine, with simple glabrous leaves Colour - Species is green, but variegated cultivars are available Other - Leaves are glossy, and evergreen Slide 136 Vinca minor Periwinkle - Identifying Features FORM: Height and Spread - 15 cm (6”) x 1 - 2 m (up to 6’!) Root Type - fibrous with stolons Shape - Mat forming Ground Cover Slide 137 A very low maintenance application - it is slow / doesn’t really compete with lawn. Slide 138 Vinca minor Periwinkle - Identifying Features Flower: Type - Solitary, lobed Colour - blue flowers on trailing stems, Season of Bloom - Most in Early Summer (can start in spring and carry on to Fall) Slide 139 Vinca minor Periwinkle Landscape Use: Part Shade sites (striking blue flower) Erosion Control Containers / Walls Deer resistant Slide 140 Protected East Facing Perwinkle, May 2022 - most likely last year’s buds that overwintered! Slide 141 Vinca minor - Periwinkle Maintenance Requires little care after establishment Spring Cleanup needed Good competition with weeds Becomes littered with leaves Slide 142 Second Year Review BORAGINACEAE Slide 143 Pulmonaria saccharata Lungwort Highlights: Hardiness Zone: 2-3 Exposure: full sun/ part shade* Soil: cool, moisture holding, high organic, well drained, can withstand dry shade Leaves: Margin entire, rough hairs, white spotted Form: Compact, dense foliage with rising inflorescence, medium height Flower: Purple Blue - Pink, clustered cyme, early summer Woodland plant, accent, sensory (touch) Slide 144 Brunnera macrophylla - Brunnera Highlights: Hardiness Zone: Z2-4 Exposure: Part to FULL shade! Soil: Drought tolerant once established. Foliage: basal cluster, heart shaped, white accent Form: mid height, slow spreading mound Flower: airy blue cyme in early summer Use: Shade accent, rabbit and deer resistant Slide 145 Slide 146 Which 3 Shade plants do you recognize here? Slide 147 Slide 148 Slide 149 Slide 150