#22) Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Wizard Sunset’

Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Wizard Sunset’ is great for adding a splash of color to your shady garden. While they will take some sun, their color is enhanced in shade. As seen above, it looks great with gray green plants such as Sedum reflexum.

Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Wizard Sunset’ is part of a plant palette called 'Parade of Shade.' Click on label/tag to see complete palette.

Details:
Biological Name: Solenostemon scutellarioides ‘Wizard Sunset’
Common Name: Coleus 'Wizard Sunset'
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Malaysia, Southeastern Asia
Exposure: Full shade to partial sun
Irrigation: Regular water
Flower Time: Inconspicuous
Height: 12-14”
Width: 10-12”

#21) Podocarpus alpinus 'Blue Gem'

I was attracted to Podocarpus alpinus 'Blue Gem' for its minty blue color, fine texture and woodsy feel. It likes partial shade, spreads low to the ground, and is slow growing. Also, in the spring, new shoots emerge nearly red, adding additional seasonal interest.

In the same vein of mixing woodsy plants with succulents, (D) Podocarpus alpinus 'Blue Gem' could go nicely with (A) Picea pungens 'Globosa', (B) Opuntia basilaris hyb. 'Baby Rita', and (C) Sedum telephium 'Purple Emperor'.

Podocarpus alpinus 'Blue Gem' is part of a plant palette called 'Parade of Shade.' Click on label/tag to see complete palette.

Details:
Biological Name: Podocarpus alpinus 'Blue Gem'
Common Name: Blue Gem Alpine Plum Yew
Family: Podocarpaceae
Origin: Australia
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Irrigation: Regular water
Flower Time: Inconspicuous
Height: 1’
Width: 3’

#20) Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Blaze'

Unlike the more common Libertia peregrinans (bottom right image), Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Blaze' (P.P.#18,486), has bright green and orange-yellow blades. Similarly, it produces white flowers mid-spring to summer. And, they both offer fantastic winter foliage color to the shady garden.

As an alternate palette to the 'Parade of Shade' palette, you can also pair (B) Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Blaze' with (A) Melianthus major and (C) Stachys byzantina.

Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Blaze' is part of a plant palette called 'Parade of Shade.' Click on label/tag to see complete palette.

Details:
Biological Name: Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Blaze' P.P.#18,486
Common Name: Taupo Blaze New Zealand Iris
Family: Iridaceae (Irises)
Origin: New Zealand (Australasia)
Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
Irrigation: Regular water
Flower Time: Mid-spring to summer
Height: 2’
Width: 2’

#19) Zamia spp.

I was drawn to this species for its upright habit, strong form, and cardboard-like leaves. It adds textural and structural interest to the shade garden. I used to see Zamia furfuracea frequently in Los Angeles nurseries, and I feel this plant could be more widely used in the Bay Area, as it is versatile to both sun or shade. Zamia pumila (top and bottom left images) has narrower leaflets than Zamia furfuracea (lower right image) and similarly, females produce orange cones. 

However, this species does not seem to be widely available here. Zamia pumila can be found on the Monrovia website, but otherwise seems hard to find. Devil Mountain Nursery carries Zamia floridana ‘North Strain' (though it does not have an image), and San Marcos Growers USED to carry Zamia furfuracea. Therefore, I'm not filled with confidence that I could acquire these if I wanted to. Perhaps they can be swapped with the more common Cycas revoluta (Sago Palm).

Zamia spp. is part of a plant palette called 'Parade of Shade.' Click on label/tag to see complete palette.

Details:

Biological Name: Zamia spp.

Common Name: Coontie

Family: Zamiaceae

Origin: West Indies and Cuba

Exposure: Full sun to partial shade*

Irrigation: Low Water Needs

Flower Time: Prized for foliage

* Devil Mountain and San Marcos suggest it can also handle full shade.

#18) Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata'

Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata' is a shade-loving plant that offers a bright splash in a potentially dark spot, as well as pattern interest with its varigated leaves. Like its straight species, it also produces blue star-shaped flowers followed by blue berries.

Monrovia suggests that it can be paired with broad-leafed and bronze-colored shade-loving plants, which sounded so lovely that I'd like to offer an alternative palette. Plants include A) Farfugium japonicum 'Gigantea', B) Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata', and C) Heuchera villosa 'Bronze Wave'. What a sophisticated combination!

Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata' is part of a plant palette called 'Parade of Shade.' Click on label/tag to see complete palette.

Details:

Biological Name: Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata'

Common Name: Variegated Flax Lily

Family: Phormiaceae

Origin: Australia (Australasia)

Exposure: Full shade to partial sun

Irrigation: Moderate Water Needs*

Flower Time: Summer

Height: 3-4’

Width: 3-4’

*Monrovia suggests it needs constant moisture, but other sites specify moderate watering.

#17) Woodwardia fimbriata

I was attracted to Woodwardia fimbriata for its fine, delicate foliage. It also adds height and texture to a shady garden. It got its name Giant Chain Fern for the chain-like spore pattern underneath its fronds.

Woodwardia fimbriata is part of a plant palette called 'Parade of Shade.' Click on label/tag to see complete palette.

Details:
Biological Name: Woodwardia fimbriata
Common Name: Giant Chain Fern
Family: Blechnaceae
Origin: Western North America
Exposure: Full shade to partial sun
Irrigation: Regular to ample water
Flower Time: Inconspicuous/none
Height: 3-6’*
Width: 3-6’*
* Typically 4 x 4’ in garden setting

#16) Tellima grandiflora

Tellima grandiflora is a great native plant for the shade. It can be used on the north side of a house, and looks great en masse. However, it requires moderate water, and does not take full sun. Fringed tips on flowers start green and age to red.

Tellima grandiflora is part of a plant palette called 'Parade of Shade.' Click on label/tag to see complete palette.

Details:
Biological Name: Tellima grandiflora
Common Name: Fringe cups
Family: Saxifragaceae
Origin: Western North America
Exposure: Full shade to partial sun
Irrigation: Moderate Water Needs
Flower Time: April to May
Height: 1-2’
Width: 1-2’

Parade of Shade

In continued effort to find interesting shade-loving plants, I've created this plant palette called 'Parade of Shade'. Together, they offer a variation of muted tone, texture, and form.

Plants include: A) Tellima grandiflora, B) Woodwardia fimbriata, C) Dianella tasmanica 'Variegata', D) Zamia spp., E) Libertia ixioides 'Taupo Blaze' P.P.#18,486, F) Podocarpus alpinus ‘Blue Gem', G) Coleus ‘Wizard Sunset’, H) Coleus 'Rustic Orange' (not covered), and I) Pachyphytum hookeri.

In the following blog posts, I'll address each plant individually, including details such as growth size and availability. They can be used all together, en masse, to blanket a shady hillside or in smaller groups of 3-5 plants, for smaller planting areas.