The last part of April is an excellent time to add plants to the landscape, including trees, shrubs, perennials, and roses. Local nurseries are well stocked with not just traditional lilacs, rhododendrons, and Japanese maples but also new and improved hydrangeas, perennials, and trees. We are fortunate in Western Washington as the wholesale growers farm nearby, so plants delivered to retail nurseries in the Puget Sound area do not spend days packed into a transport truck.
Tips for Choosing the Right Plants
Take a photo of the area where you need to replace a dead or disappointing tree, shrub, or perennial. Note how much sun or shade the area receives and anything you know about the soil. Next, seek out a local nursery and a staff member to recommend a replacement. You may find that there are more choices than you imagined, and your hunt for a replacement plant will also be an education on all the new and improved varieties.
Recommended Perennials for Shade
Q. What perennials do you recommend for shade? I have an area that only gets morning sun. I want plants that will come back year after year. Thanks. T., Email
A. I like to call these three the princesses of darkness, as they add grace and elegance even in the full shade.
Hosta
New varieties in shades of lime green and lemon yellow make hosta colorful plants that are not as thirsty as other perennials. Hosta leaves grow larger with more water, so keep a mulch on top of the soil and add compost to the planting hole to keep the soil moist if you want spectacular hosta.
Tip: Hostas are much loved by slugs, but the varieties with blue or waxy leaves are more slug resistant.
Astilbe
Frothy and feminine, astilbe is a perennial that flowers even in the darkest parts of the garden with spikes of red or pink blooms. The foliage is finely cut, adding contrasting texture next to hostas, which have wide leaves.
Tip: Astilbe will dry out without enough water, so only add them to a spot with naturally moist soil that you will remember to keep watered during dry spells.
Brunnera (Siberian Bugloss)
Unusual leaves that are shaped like hearts come in shades of white, green, and white with strong variegation. Brunnera is a shade-loving perennial that blooms in spring with tiny blue flowers held on long stems that resemble forget-me-nots. Brunnera is more slug-resistant than hosta and more drought-tolerant than astilbe, but happily shares a bed with these two more common perennials. In a shaded bed, hosta, astilbe, and brunnera will be the triplets of delight.
Tip: Once brunnera flowers in the spring, snip off the long stems and faded flowers to encourage larger leaves that will be the showstoppers of the summer garden.
Marianne Binetti has a degree in horticulture from Washington State University and is the author of several books. Reach her at binettigarden.com.
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