Hi Neal & Polly! I am moving a lIlac that is in too much shade and need an idea for a replacement. This spot gets shade until about 2:30 or 3:00 PM. The spot has tree roots growing around it. There is a large white privacy fence behind it, so I don't want a white bloom. I would prefer something now too wide or bushy. It could be evergreen or deciduous and I would love something fragrant. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Stormy, so sorry to have overlooked your post! OMG, I've been brain dead all winter, LOL! Geez, this was before the fire when you posted this, right? Has this situation changed now?

Dry shade is a real tough one to deal with. Is there a particular time of year you'd like to see blooms there?

Gee Neal, That seems like a lifetime ago that I asked the question. No, blooms any time of year would be good. The soil there is not overly dry, only when we are having a real draught, like last summer.

The lilac grew very well there. It just wouldn't flower because of the shade. It used to flower, but once my neighbor put up that privacy fence, I lost the morning sun. A lot of my lilies over there were affected too.

I have a whole new set of problems now , but I may start another thread here for that.

Well, if it isn't too dry in the area, then various Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Hydrangeas, or Mountain Laurel may do the trick. None of those are fragrant though. Sweet Pepper bush, Clethra alnifolia, is a fragrant native shrub that is available in pink. Oh, and there are also Viburnums that are fragrant and bloom in shade, but those mostly bloom white. Well, you could always add a ground cover of Lily of the Valley to add some fragrance to the spot too.

Hmm Neal, I have some Hydrangea there now. it's too dry for a mop head and the Pee Gee nearby is struggling. A bit further down, the Hydrangea Swan and Little lamb are doing fine.

I tried a Rhodo nearby and it struggled for 4 years. I think the voles were chewing on it. I wanted something taller and not as spreading as an Azalea. There's a beautiful Viburnum Bodnantense Dawn right beside it. I tried 3 Magnolia Little Gems right next to it and the last one is still struggling after 3 years.

Clethra might do the trick. i would love a Golden Rain Tree or a black Pussy Willow or a tree whose name I can't think of that blooms in February.

I'd love a Kalmia there. My one out front died. The voles love them.

i don't know if the conditions are right for a Sambucus nigra.

Some of the Exbury Azaleas are more upright and not so spreading, but sounds like it may be too dry for them. I'm thinking Sambucus may need more sun to keep the deep foliage color, might get enough though. Oh yes, do start a thread for other plants for the area- tree roots and dry shade a such a bitch to deal with! The main entry to our house is riddled with roots from a huge Silver Maple, and of course it's the area that needs ornamentals the most. I've tried lots, and finally am having some success getting some things established there, but it has been tough.

Thanks Neal. I am going to look into those Exbury Azaleas for another spot.

I think I will try a Kalmia in this spot. They are so beautiful when in bloom and look great the rest of the year. The one that I really love has "Fire" in it's name and has a dark dark pink bloom with a red coloring on the underside of the petals. Very striking.

I find that the Viburnums do very well under the Maples as well as several of the Philadelphus. Buddleia White Profusion, Beautyberry & also Roses don't seem to mind the competition either, especially the Rugosas. I also have some varigated Eumonymous thriving under some Maples.

I've never grown the Exbury Azaleas, but have loved those that I've seen. They're available in wonderful colors, yellows, golds, oranges, and the colors more common to Azaleas too. I understand they're more winter hardy too.

Thanks Neal, I will read up on them. I do fine with regular Azaleas but lost all of my deciduous ones to the voles. I do have some reblooming Azaleas too and really enjoy those.

Mary, I find Daphne Carol Macki does very well in dry shade, and is extremely fragrant.

Thanks Polly. I have a huge lovely one in my bed out front of the house.

The other thread I was talking about wanting to start is one about all of the plants and especially the shrubs that I have to move to facilitate the house repairs. Thoughts of moving my beloved Daphnes are giving me nightmares.

I will start that thread after a bit. I've got too much on my plate right now.