Expert: C.L. Fornari - 2/9/2004

Question
WE HAVE JUST MOVED TO NORTHERN SOUTH CAROLINA.  OUR YARD WILL BE HEAVY SHADE (ONCE SPRING AND SUMMER SET IN)  I WANT TO GROW FLOWERS THAT BLOOM, ESPECIALLY LIKE THE TYPE YOU CAN CUT FOR VASES.  I ALSO HAVE MANY PLANTERS I CAN PUT ON THE PORCH AND WOULD LIKE FLOWERS IN THOSE, THEY, TOO WILL BE IN HEAVY SHADE.  ANY SUGGESTIONS?

THANKS MUCH

Answer
Barb,
Unfortunately, there are fewer choices for shade when it comes to cutting flowers.  That said, you should start with a couple of shrubs that have flowers you can cut, such as hydrangeas and pittosporum... perhaps gardenias.  Perennials such as Astilbe and Goatsbeard are good, as are clivia, foxglove (get the yellow perennial kind - others grow one year, bloom the next then die) and bleeding heart.  Persecaria "Firetail" has bright pink flowers that you can cut, and it blooms July to Oct, but it's harder to find then the others... be sure to get "Firetail" - the other persecarias are NOT the same.  Astrantia is good in part shade.  For color all season, impatiens, begonias and fuchsias are good but they are not good cut flowers.  Be sure to plant some ferns - these make good greens to put in arrangements!
all the best,
C.L.