#23) Pachyphytum hookeri

I was attracted to this plants beautiful coloring of icy, muted blue, and hints of green toward the center, and pink toward the tips. It loves partial shade and well-draining soil, where it can spread slowly by forming offset rosettes. It's very low growing (4-6" tall), and could look great in a 2-3' wide mature cluster, or in smaller groupings, tucked into a rocky retaining wall. As seen in my 'Parade of Shade' palette, it is very similar in color to Podocarpus alpinus 'Blue Gem,' and if placed in front, it could create an interesting mono-tonal effect. Its fleshy, succulent leaves would also complement the needle-like leaves of the Podocarpus. And, I'm a sucker for blending woodsy looking plants with desert plants, so this is combination is right up my alley.

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

Details:
Biological Name: Pachyphytum hookeri
Common Name: Hooker's Pachyphytum
Family: Crassulaceae
Origin: Mexico
Exposure: Partial shade to full sun
Irrigation: Waterwise
Flower Time: Spring
Height: 4-6”
Width: 4-6”

#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’

#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’

#15) Dryopteris erythrosora

In continued effort to find interesting shade loving plants, I was excited to find Dryopteris erythrosora, one of the few ferns with seasonal color.

(A) Dryopteris erythrosora displays seasonal color when young, then matures to a deep green. Inspired by its muted seasonal color, I've paired it here with (B) Carex albula ‘Frosty Curls’, (C) Salix babylonica (Weeping Willow Tree) and (D) Corylus avellana 'Contorta'. This plant palette was inspired by the austere riparian beauty of the Marin headlands. Dryopteris erythrosora is available at Devil Mountain Nursery.

Details:
Biological Name: Dryopteris erythrosora
Common Name: Autumn Fern
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Origin: Japan (Asia)
Exposure: Partial to Full Shade
Irrigation: Medium Water Needs
Flower Time: Does not flower
Height: 1.5-3’
Width: 1.5-2’

#10) Echeveria subrigida

Came across this image while trolling the web and was happily surprised to see a succulent I haven't really seen before. It is as if an Agave (with its pointed leaves) and an Echeveria (with its low rosette form) had a baby. After seeing the same succulents used over and over, this is refreshingly different! Here it is seen with a stubby version of Senecio serpens 'Blue Chalksticks' (another nice diversion from the common). Kudos to Garden Proganda for sharing (http://gardenpropaganda.com/tag/agave-celsii-var-albicans-ucb/).

Devil Mountain Nursery carries 2 kinds of Echeveria subrigida: The cultivar A) 'Fire and Ice' and B) the straight species. I could see both being useful depending on the effect you are trying to achieve.

Details:

Biological Name: Echeveria subrigida

Common Name: Echeveria

Family: Crassulaceae (Stonecrops)

Origin: Mexico (North America)

Exposure: Sun or Shade

Irrigation: Low Water Needs

Flower Time: Spring/Summer

Height: 1’

Width: 1-2’

#8) Oscularia deltoides

I first encountered this interesting groundcover within a container planting in a strip mall in Los Angeles. It seems tough as nails and yet kinda sophisticated due to its complex geometrical form and gray green coloring (though, like the picture above, I've also seen it bright green. Are these two different varieties of the same plant? Please let me know if you know!). I also like its reddish stems, and the flowers are tolerable. This particular time, I spotted a flat of it at Flowerland Nursery in Berkeley.

I really like it in the planting scheme above, along with Agave angustifolia 'Marginata' (left), Agave desmettiana (right) and what looks like Senecio cylindricus (just peaking out on the top right corner). There are some groundcovers that just don't look quite right growing in between succulents (too delicate? Too prostrate?) But, this one integrates in just beautifully. It is sprawling, yet upright, and just fine grained enough to contrast nicely with the broad blades. And, the consistent gray green tone of the palette really allows the red stems and the varigation of the agaves to pop. Quite brilliant. Kudos to Hoover Boo (http://pieceofeden.blogspot.com/2013/03/march-foliage.html).

Details:

Biological Name: Oscularia deltoides 

Common Name: Pink Iceplant

Family: Aizoaceae (Ice Plants)

Origin: South Africa

Exposure: Full Sun

Irrigation: Low Water Needs

Flower Time: Spring

Height: <1’

Width: 2-3’