Marianne's Response

What to Plant?

I Live in Zone 9 in Sacramento,CA. 95838 and I have an area next to my house in between my fencing and deck. Which is only about 8 x 5 area of dirt. I have never figured out what to plant here. It a very confined area and it is shaded most of the time with a small amount of light in the late afternoon. This area is located just off my master bedroom which opens to the deck with the spa and bar area . If When I walk out onto the deck. If I look Right and keep going to the spa area. Walk out look to my left I see the bathroom window back yard fencing and dirt I think tall Australian ferns would do well in this area as well as a few others but I would like some color What could this be?
We are talking about the North Side of the house. Would a Roadademdrum Do well in this area or is it to dark Shaded wise

Posted by Marilyn Treon on April 26, 2020

Marianne's Response

I would like to suggest two bold foliage plants, both evergreen. Aucuba japonica has large leaves spotted with gold markings  and Fastia japonica has shiny green leaves shaped like large maple leaves. Both would do better in your climate than a rhododendron and both will thrive in the shade. You may want to plant both and see what happens. Your local nursery will have these shrubs available with some tips on planting and mulching. In your hot climate I would suggest you spray the foliage of both plants with the hose on warm days to keep them free of mites and to cool  the broad leaves. A mulch on top of the soil will also help to cool the roots. I hope you enjoy the tropical look and colorful foliage of these two shrubby plants. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti

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