Expert: C.L. Fornari - 9/27/2008

Question
Do you have any suggestions about a flower I can plant in front of our building in the shade under trees? We live in Maryland and these plants will be outside in the ground. We do want color for the jewish holidays!

Answer
Ron,
There are a number of pansies that are now sold in the fall that are perfect to plant now in shady areas - they'll be in bloom for the holidays and most will make it through the winter and bloom again in the spring.  This is the best annual for your situation right now.

Another thing you could do is plant some of grasses that are available now for shade: Hakon achloa grass, or a variegated Carex such as Evergold would be good.  There are also some nice shade perennials sold under the "Fall Magic" name by Proven Winners - if your local nursery sells those you might take a look at the Heucheras and the Carex grasses in the Fall Magic lineup.

You could also brighten the bed with some of the colorful squashes and pumpkins that garden centers sell right now.  Make one or three groups of these, with pansies planted in between would be beautiful.  

Happy New Year!

C.L. Fornari