There is a shade gardening forum also http://garden.org/forums/view/... all with interest in shade gardening but I do not know how alert they are and if they even know about the problem of growing under Cedar trees. No harm in checking though.
Regards,
Arif.

I have two cedar trees and beneath one of them I have Vinca minor, but it vines and can become invasive. I have to trim it pretty often:


I also have helleborus beneath the one in the back garden and I'm thinking of trying a dwarf rhododendron.
And I have comfrey beneath one as well.



I don't really have problems with things growing beneath or near the cedars as long as they are plants that don't mind being a little dry at times. I do however keep the lower limbs of the cedars trimmed about 2 feet from the ground. That helps air circulate and creates a bit more light for the under plants. I have tulips and irises very near the one in back and I have daylilies within a couple of feet of the one in front, but neither of them are underneath the trees.

For me it's a question of drought, if they survive drought, they'll survive the cedar trees

Thanks Arif. I saw a thread on drought tolerant shade plants on the shade gardening forum. I'll read through it. Sharon, your hellebore and comfrey plants are beautiful! I have some variegated vinca that has spread on one side of my yard, but as soon as Summer rolls around, it always dies to the ground despite getting watered. I guess its more fussy that the green leaf variety. I'm definitely trying to grow more drought and heat tolerant plants this year. Thanks so much. I'll write down comfrey as another possibility.

Lycoris is another that grows at the base of my cedar tree.

Wow that's a beautiful lycoris. I have red lycoris, but its in a container and I plan on planting the bulbs in a sunny area. Maybe I could try a couple under the cedar trees.

Better get started if you don't want to miss the next season. Start with the soil amendment project you had in mind. This clay, even though I have all colours of it, Sharon did you know there are different clays also? I hate clay, keep dumping sand into it and have been dumping sand now for three years. If the yard is big enough and if it rains heavy, you may need drainage channels to get the water out as fast as possible. If it is water logged, then look for a water hungry tree. There are quite a few of those also. I don't think it is water logged though. This sticky plasticky clay does not absorb water readily, if this is true then you may need a soak pit in order to improve the water/moisture level. It will take a while before you reach the planting stage, so start the project.
Regards,
Arif.

I'll probably work on amending the soil this year, and next year I'll worry about the plants. The clay in my yard is commonly called "gumbo" I looked at soil surveys in my area and the predominant soil is called Houston Black clay. I may just plant things in the flowerbed that's along my house and let the english ivy and cross vines grow under the trees.

Black clay, fun.
Regards,
Arif.

Lol, it also has plenty of rocks in it.

. Well you need at the most one foot of soil no need to get distracted by rock. After that roots don't mind rocks. Get a tractor as you mix in the sand the rocks should come up. Other option is the old fashioned pickaxe and sweat, I prefer the mechanical.
Regards,
Arif.

I couldn't afford a tractor so a pickax would be the only method lol. I planted some 4 o'clock seeds in random areas in the shade garden, they may get leggy but at least I would have a little color in my shade garden lol.

Your side garden looks like a very welcoming path. If you can find time, divide the Aspidistras (Cast iron plants) and continue them along the base of the house. If you do that now, you'll practically have it filled in and it will serve as a backdrop for anything else you plant there. Have you seen the tiny blooms at the base of these plants?

I know you shop the big box stores, so watch to see what day Lowe's gets their fresh plants in (at ours, it's Tuesday mornings). The vendors will be marking down the plants that have already bloomed, or look a little dry. That's when to shop the clearance tables. Last year I bought an entire rack of Impatiens, about 100 quart pots, for $25. There were also a few other plants on the rack that I can't remember. We were going to be on a garden tour. Made the backyard bed borders look pretty good! At that price, I didn't have to cry when the drought hit and the Impatiens started melting away.

Sandi that is a great idea Aspidistras, it would make a wonderful backdrop to other plantings.
I also love the suggestion about buying for the big box stores. What a money saver that would be.

Thanks Sandi, that's a great idea. My cast iron plants have never been divided and I would love to have them all along the base of the house. I've had mine for 6 or 7 years, I started with 3 or 4 plants. I've only seen the flowers one time, when I first planted them. I get most of my plants from the clearance rack. I used to check every other day to see if there was anything new on clearance rack, but I have to admit, its been a while since I've checked Lowe's. That's a great deal, 100 quart pots for $25. The Lowes nearby has a lot of overpriced plants on the markdown rack. Sometimes I can get the employees to mark the plant down even more, but a lot of times they won't lol. I may stop by Lowes tomorrow morning to see what they have.

I looked for the post I made to ATP last spring showing the back of my long suffering, plant protesting husband's truck, but I couldn't find it. Here's one.... and remember, the whole back of the inside of truck was filled too. All for $25.!


Cameron, you'll be glad you separated those plants. They'll fill in this spring and you'll never remember the old ones from the new.

Wow that's a lot of plants. Those are some pretty colors too. I tried to grow impatiens a few years ago, but I wasn't successful lol. Thanks for telling me about dividing the cast iron plants. It will also give me a chance to trim the dead leaves, because they look ratty looking right now.

You'll be glad for that shady garden this summer when it's sooo hot.

Beautiful shade gardens.I love epimediums and have several varieties.
Edelweiss does have a nice selection.

I'm dreading this Summer already lol.

For Impatiens the zone is a bit tough and heart breaking. Mirablis jalapa 4'o'clock will do well with Salvias playing at their feet plus they love rocks. Aspidistras are good and there is a smaller variegated variety to put down in front. With them Dracenas do well in the shade. No need to dread summer, you just require the plants that love the heat. There are quite a few varieties of Jasmine that love the heat. If it is hot enough, maybe mangoes, guavas, pomegranates, kiwi fruit(vine, male female involved), etc.
Regards,
Arif.