Careful Selection Needed For Shady Positions

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31729, 12 July 1968, Page 6

Careful Selection Needed For Shady Positions

It is not possible to design a garden without creating some shade. This situation is brought about by the erection of buildings and fences and can eventually be caused, in varying intensities, by the growth and spread of trees. Although all plants are dependant on light for their Source of energy and wellbeing, they vary in the amount of light which they need or can tolerate. One could draw a rough distinction between those which do best in full sun and those which are tolerant of shade: the former are predominantly possessed of more attractively coloured and conspicuous flowers, which are more scented, and have leaves which transpire more rapidly, while the latter tend to have tougher, darker leaf structures.

Shade tends to increase the vegetative growth of shoots and foliage and to depress the production of flowers and fruit Few plants will tolerate complete darkness which causes weak, drawn growth, or what Is known as etiolation. However there is no need to turn such areas into rubbish depositories or no-man’s-land, for they can be made attractive with carefully chosen plants. Damp corners lend themselves admirably to ferns, which deserve to be included far more frequently in the garden scene. They present unusual shape and variety of leaf form, and most of them are easy to grow. A cool, moist root run and freedom from draught are necessary. Some such as Cyathea medullaris are liable to frost damage and should not be planted in positions subject to severe freezing. Many will blacken and the fronds die back over winter, but they will spring to life again with the Onset of warmer weather. Berry Bearers Although Pseudowlntera colorata is a predominantly sub-alpine plant, which is also found in low land to subalpine forests and is considered to do best in cold conditions, it will grow well in damp shady spots. This New Zealand native, known as well by its Maori name of Horopito, has most unusual, thick leaves which become increasingly more blotched and conspicuous as the winter progresses. The small flowers are followed by black berries. It makes a compact, upright shrub or small tree between 6ft and Bft high. Pernettya mucronata is another berry-bearing plant which grows well in shade. This member of the Ericaceae family dislikes lime, as can be expected from one belonging to this group. It makes and unsymmetrical stifflooking shrub which reaches 3ft and is really most attractive with its conspicuous red stems, small shiny green pointed leaves, small white heath-like flowers and large : pink berries which gradually deepen in colour in winter; it is very hardy. Two very similar plants <

are Butchers Broom, Ruscus and Sarcococca, but they belong to completely different families; the former to Liliaceae and the latter to Buxaceae. Both have alternate, leathery, deep green rigid leaves and although flowers and berries are white and red respectively those of Ruscus are borne in the centre of the leaves from their mid-ribs, whereas the unisexual flowers of Sarcococca are carried in auxiliary clusters, the female flowers being at the base of the leaves. The growth habit of both is stiff and erect and in each case only one species is widely offered. Ruscus aculeatus and Sarcococca ruscifolia, respectively, both grow 2ft to 3ft. Japanese Laurel

Good specimens of Aucuba or Japanese laurel are an asset to any garden and they will thrive in full shade and the poorest of soils. Although the foliage, particularly of the variegated forms, is attractive in itself, the large laurel-shaped, bright red berries which remain untouched by the birds, do enhance the plants. However, being unisexual it is essential to include at least one male plant to every three female ones. The form Aucuba japonica crotonoides is the best of the variegated female plants and can be used for floral work as can the others. Aucubas lend themselves to clipping and in this way can be kept within their ultimate height of 6ft to Bft. Hydrangeas seem always to be the first choice to fill in odd comers and as such are given little encouragement, in more ways than one, to do well. A cool root run, a well enriched soil, semi-shade and correct annual pruning will see them at their best. The predominating colours of blue and red or pink are affected by acid and alkaline soils respectively. Hydrangea macrophylla from Japan gives us most of our newer varieties, which grow about 4ft high, but there are also dwarfs, which may not attain 2ft Many of the other species are worth considering for themselves such as Hydrangea quercifolia, the so called oak-leafed hydrangea. Beautiful autumn colouration of the leaves are a feature of this deciduous olant which bears pure white leads of flowers in great profusion in late spring and early summer.

The only really hardy member of the vary large genus Euphorbia is Euphorbia wulfenii. This is an unusual plant for its flowers are variably greenish-yellow and the leaves are greenish-grey. It flowers during the winter, can be used for decorative purposes and will put up with dry conditions. A well-grown 4ft specimen can enhance any area.

From the Andes Desfontainea spinosa comes from the Andes and is unusual in that it is the only species of its genus. It forms a densely foliaged shrub about 6ft tall, with spring green

leaves very reminiscent of those of a holly, only that they grow opposite. The 2in crimson flowers appear in summer and continue to appear until autumn, providing an outstanding display. A moist, well-drained lime-free soil suits this very hardy shrub best.

There is a half-hardy New Zealand native, Brachyglottis repanda, which forms a large quick growing shrub for sunny and shady positions in frost protected places. This is another monotypic genus of which there are very handsome, very large leafed forms. Brachyglottis repanda rangiora has glossy green leaves which are covered with a soft grey down underneath and bears pannicles of small creamy coloured scented flowers; and Brachyglottis rangiora purpurea, which is one of the most striking purple foliaged plants that is in cultivation, with the silvery white down beneath contrasting vividly and even the plumelike flowers having a purple tinge. To maintain dense bushy growth it is advisable to prune back heavily each spring. The flaxes provide us with some of our most easily accommodated and attractive foliage plants and the good selection of diffe ent coloured ones which reach varying ultimate heights increases their usefulness still further. While the common green flax, Pormitun tenax, still has Its place for certain positions, others such as the green and white, red margined Phormium colensoi tricolour which grows about 4ft, the little red one, Phormium tenax rubrum, and the very upright sft to 6ft high variegated form are but some of the more desirable ones. Apart from the

effectiveness of their leaf blades the flaxes also produce interesting flowers on long stalks followed by conspicuous and colourful seed heads. The Symphoricarpos provide another group of very easily grown plants which will grow in poor soil and dense shade, and require no other attention than cutting out of old stems and weak shoots in early spring. The common snowberry is Symphoricarpus albus and has small bellshaped pink flowers followed by persistent snow white berries which cling to the bare stems throughout the winter. Symphoricarpus orbiculatus, the coral berry, has larger foliage which assumes bronze tints in autumn, and bright red berries.

The bright red stems of the Siberian dogwood, Cornus alba siberica, will brighten any dull corner and they come into particular prominence during the winter months when they are denuded of leaves. There is also a new variety, the socalled Golden dogwood. Cornus alba Spaehli, which is regarded as one of the most effected of the variegated foliage shrubs retaining all its golden colour throughout the season until leaf fall, reveals the deep red-barked branches. Both plants grow about 6ft tall and may spread by as much. Hard pruning back every few years will encourage the richly-coloured young growths and keep them In bounds. The ferns shown In the photographs are growing in their native habitat on the West Coast. They are suitable for planting along the banks of streams and in cool, moist and shady situations.