Let's visit about
what to plant in dry shade. You know on that north facing aspect of
your home or that space between your neighbors that never really gets
sun or water, here's a few champions to consider.
Creeping Oregon
Grape (Mahonia repens) is a very small shrub native to Wyoming. Its
leaves bring to mind holly, but is far better suited to our
conditions. In spring bright yellow flowers are followed by deep blue
edible berries and by late autumn the leaves of this plant turn a
burgundy red that stays that color through winter.
Another dry shade
champion is Hardy Plumbago (Ceratostigma plumbaginoides), mature height
is 8 inches and in late summer an intense true blue blossoms appear and
is an instant butterfly magnet. Even into autumn as the foliage turns
mahogany red, this plant continues to produce those intense blue
flowers. So for dry shade, consider creeping Oregon grape and Hardy
Plumbago.
