Questionwhat type of soil is best for perennials?
What types of perennials perfer shade?
Answer Mary,
Thanks for your question. Here is my BEST mix for soil. I have used it for years and continue to use it when transplanting plants.
You MUST prepare your soil. It may be pains-taking but you will see such better results from your garden, sun or shade.
You didn't say where you live but this is my formula and I have good topsoil for about 2-3" but then a lot of clay.
for every 6' x 6'sq. area:
1 bag peat (If you get the very large 3.cu.ft bags-only
1/2)
1 bag sand-play sand
1 bag gypsum
1/2 bad Millorganite (an organic fertilizer found at
Nurseries--and I SWEAR by it for flower beds and lawns, for lawns, put it on heavy like any fertilizer
in spring and fall!)
1 bag cedar or cypress mulch-this gets tilled into the
soil with all the other stuff.
2-3 bags manure (I buy bulk horse manure or get chicken manure fron the university)
Roto-til or turn into soil with shovel-at least 5"-8" in depth-more if possible, before planting. You will be AMAZED!!
Then and only then are you ready to plant.
Here are some plants that are good for shade. (I also have found out that MANY of the plants that "say" they are for full sun do well in "partial shade" also.
the spring flowering:
Partial sun and shade-Spring:
Crocus
Grape hyacinth
Coral Bells-green leafed
Candytuft
Spiderwort
mints-keep cut to a manageable area
Lilies of the Valley-these will spread-start out sparingly
Elephant ears-green or black-these are HUGE and need to be
dug out for winter and stored properly.
Caladium-Very colorful and need to be dug out for
winter and stored properly.
And on into summer flowering:
Coral Bells-red leafed
hosta-and they do flower! there are now 228 different
varieties--Magnificent!! Look on web for varieties.
Lady's Mantle
Lungwort
Mountain bluebells
Cranesbills
Summer phlox (the tall ones)
Bee balm (spreads)
Purple sage
You may want to go to your library or book store for books on shade gardening.
Go get your hands dirty!!
Sijka
