Made for the Shade

Saturday

Oct032009

By Kirti Mathura

ESPECIALLY HERE IN THE LOW DESERT shade plays a big role in our landscapes. We include shade trees to make our outdoor living spaces enjoyable and comfortable during pleasant warm weather, and bearable during the extreme heat of summer. If we carefully select plants we can create inviting shade in our gardens and also have these areas filled with vibrant plants.

Some of the best trees to use for shade are native to our region. The Blue Palo Verde (Parkinsonia florida) and Littleleaf Palo Verde (Parkinsonia microphylla) offer shade with dappled sunlight filtering through the tree canopies. This light shade is ideal for growing a great variety of plants. Our native Screwbean and Velvet Mesquites (Prosopis pubescens and P. velutina) and Desertwillow (Chilopis linearis) offer a more moderate shade that supports growth of shadeloving plants. The denser shade of the Texas Ebony (Ebenopsis ebano) is so alluring during summer months, but it can be a challenge to design a nice planting in such shade. Shade created by buildings and walls can also be difficult for planting when it offers very low light.

A couple of wonderful large shrubs that perform just as well in light shade as in full sun exposure are the Thornbushes (Lycium exsertum and L. fremontii). They quickly grow 6 to 8 feet tall and wide with thorn-like dense branching. The small, bright green, spoon-shaped leaves are somewhat thick and fleshy. With deep watering every one to two weeks during the summer, the shrubs will maintain their foliage. Drought conditions cause the leaves to drop. Flowering occurs from January into March. The small bellshaped lavender colored blooms provide nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies. Small fleshy oval fruits follow, turning red to attract fruit-eating birds. If monsoon rains are plentiful, the Thornbushes might have another flush of blooms.

Firebush (Hamelia patens) is another a shrub that appreciates some shade during the summer months. It can reach 3 to 6 feet in height and 3 to 5 feet in width. The medium-sized oval leaves offer a lush look, perfect for patio areas. From May into October, thin reddish-orange tubular flowers attract hummingbirds. Sierra Red™ offers a deeper red flower color. You can expect the foliage to change to a striking maroon color in late fall. Extreme cold will cause the foliage to drop.

Dicliptera (Dicliptera resupinata) is a versatile plant that blooms as well in dense shade as it does in blaring sun. In shade, it will develop into a 3 foot tall and wide sprawling mound. Small rosy-purple blooms dot the plant in spurts throughout the year, contrasting nicely with foliage. Butterflies visit the flowers for sips of nectar.

White Plumbago (Plumbago scandens) is the perfect plant for a shaded area. It creates a 2 to 3 foot tall and wide mound. Topping the plant from spring through fall are clusters of small star-like white flowers that brightly stand out through shade. They contrast boldly with the dark green foliage, which turns a deep maroon color in early winter.

Some of the justicias do well in light to moderate shade. Chuparosa (Justicia californica) grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide does well in light shade or full sun. From winter through spring and late summer into fall it has tubular red flowers that lure the hummingbirds into your garden. A yellow blooming form is also available through some local nurseries. A smaller relative, Red Justicia (J. candicans), grows to 2 feet tall and provides red flowers for the hummers fall through spring. It will be at home in moderate to even slightly dense shade here in the low desert. Another shade lover, Firecracker Bush (J. spicigera) provides deep orange tubular flowers for the hummers from spring through late fall.

Many aloes do well in light shade. If located in deep shade they will not bloom well, and their grandeur is lost. Most agaves are healthier in a light shade here as well. The Octopus Agave (Agave vilmoriniana) is so versatile that is does well in moderate shade to full sun conditions. Texastuberose (Manfreda maculosa) can thrive in a good amount of shade. The leaves are very fleshy, with interesting patterns of purplish-red splotches. Although the plants are almost ground hugging, the bloom stems rise 3 to 4 feet into the air in the spring, waving gently to attract hummers to the bounty of nectar. Another group of succulents, the Mother-in-Law’s Tongues (Sansevieria spp.), are ideal for the shade. They are frost tender, however, and will not tolerate cold wet soil in the winter. Ranging from low growing to 3-foot tall species, they offer flowers that fill the night air with sweetness.

Although we tend to consider cacti sun worshipers, there are various types that will flourish in the shade. Different types of Easter-lily Cactus (Echinopsis spp. and hybrids) offer delightful night blooms in flushes from spring through the summer, particularly with good monsoon rains. Flower colors vary from white to a range of delicate pastels to electric fuchsias and reds. Our native Arizona Queen of the Night (Peniocereus greggii), with its exquisitely fragrant trumpet-shaped night blooms, needs shade to prevent burn.

These are just a few plants that perform well out of the sunlight. Depending on your location, many others may be suitable. If you care to experiment, keep in mind that plants will tell you if they are in too much shade. New growth will be leggy and off-color. Slightly less than optimal light may leave plants looking vigorous and normal, but the bloom performance may be lessened. Try some shade lovers, and brighten your summerfriendly garden areas.

A few more plants for the shade:

Acanthocereus tetragonus – Vining Cactus

Aptenia cordifolia — Hearts and Flowers

Aquilegia chrysantha — Golden Columbine

Atriplex spp. — Saltbush, Quailbush

Bulbine frutescens — Yellow Bulbine

Bulbine frutescens Tiny Tangerine™ —

Orange Bulbine

Cereus hildmannianus (C. peruvianus) —

Peruvian-apple Cactus

Cissus trifoliata — Arizona-grape ivy

Clematis drummondii — Old Man’s Beard