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What's good to plant in a part-shade garden?

Am looking for some plants to grow in a part-shade/sun garden in my front yard that are low maintenance(minimal pruning, etc), help deter weeds and preferably has flowers of some sort. I've already tried petunias but they become very messy after a while.

Public Comments

1. Try Hostas or Israeli Cyclamen. They seem to work well in part shade and they both flower. The Cyclamen bloom with brighter colors.
2. Here are some that may be able to help you out: * Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) * Helleborus (Hellebore) * Hosta * Primula (Primrose) * Pulmonaria (Leadwort) * Tiarella (Foam Flower) * Viola (Violet) * Tricyrtis (Toad Lily) * Astilbe Good luck on your garden.
3. Idk if any of these grow in your part of the world, Shivs, but I've a huge shade garden, and I have a little bit of all of these-- Hosta http://www.paulparent.com/perennials/hosta.jpg Solomon's Seal http://www.manataka.org/images/solomons-seal.jpg Bleeding Heart (pink and/or white) http://www.forartsake.net/DSCF0077%20Old%20Fashioned%20Pink%20Bleeding%20Heart_2005.JPG http://www.customgardendesigns.com/great_resources_big/gr_perennials_a_to_k/0714-s_bleeding_heart_wh_mj_24.jpg Lily of the Valley (these will spread and naturalize) http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/large-images/lily-of-the-valley.jpg Columbine (one of my faves) http://i.ehow.com/images/a06/5e/el/care-columbine-origami-plant-200X200.jpg Forget-me-nots, violets, tuber roses, day lilies, astilbe and ferns are all spectacular as well. All of these are perennials (you never have to re-plant them, they return each year) and most of them spread on their own (especially lily of the valley, violets and forget-me-nots). The more they spread, the less weeding you will do. In about 4 or 5 seasons you shouldn't really need to touch it save for dividing and sharing with friends :)
4. begonias and primroses
5. Impatiens is pretty good (busy lizzies, dizzy lizzies) if you like pink and white shades. The only thing is you do have to tidy them occasionally. I like perennials so you can set and forget.You could try some groundcover like native violet, which has small purple flowers and pretty leaves. It grows well in shade and keeps the weeds down. Another good groundcover is ajuga reptans, which has decorative purple leaves. It takes a while to establish but once it's well in there you're away laughing, it will fight oxalis and onion weed and win. If you're willing to put in a bit more effort, azaleas like a part shade situation. Kangaroo paw is good too because it's very hardy, and it clumps and spreads well. Looking at Tasha's link for Solomon's Seal I am wondering if anything like that is available here. I like the green tips on the flowers, I'm going to have a look round... Now I'm envious. I wish I had more time for the garden :)