Semi shade southern bush suggestions? (grow, palms, Hydrangea, trees)

[gentlearts]

I have a back corner of my yard, which is shaded by an oak tree. The yard is surrounded by a 6' fence. I bought two gardenias today, and I would like them to flank a Camellia in the corner.

What are some other possible shrubs to nestle into this area, hug the fence and provide a nice fragrant and beautiful spot under the trees. I have two Adirondack chairs that will sit in front of the bushes.
I might add that the tree roots prohibit a mass planting of the bed, but we can hack into the soil for some plantings.

Agapanthus does well in this area, but many other shade loving plants have come and gone, due to excess heat or perhaps not enough moisture in the summer.

[kinkytoes]

How about the following:
1. Hydrangea - Oakleaf or hydrangea serrata may handle dryness better than others.
2. Azaleas - you can try southern indica, Rutherford or satsuki azaleas.
3. Rhododendron - Try one in the Southgate series.
4. Osmanthus fragrans - Sweet olive....can get fairly large, but there may be a smaller cultivar you'd like.


I got a couple of ideas from Southern Living's book: Everyday Gardening.

[southernnaturelover]

Have you thought about a couple of Bluestem palms or Needle palms? Some Cast Iron plants would also fill in a shady area underneath an oak.

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by southernnaturelover

Have you thought about a couple of Bluestem palms or Needle palms? Some Cast Iron plants would also fill in a shady area underneath an oak.

I thought palms need full sun?

[gentlearts]

Originally Posted by kinkytoes

How about the following:
1. Hydrangea - Oakleaf or hydrangea serrata may handle dryness better than others.
2. Azaleas - you can try southern indica, Rutherford or satsuki azaleas.
3. Rhododendron - Try one in the Southgate series.
4. Osmanthus fragrans - Sweet olive....can get fairly large, but there may be a smaller cultivar you'd like.


I got a couple of ideas from Southern Living's book: Everyday Gardening.

I am considering some osmanthus or hydrangea. I never have had luck with hydrangeas, so I'm scared of them. I am not doing azaleas or rhododendrons because I have them in other places in the yard, and I'm going for some variety.
I'm thinking Vibernum or Florida Anise too.

[Padgett2]

I second the sweet tea olive. It blooms sort of all year around with the heaviest in the late winter. It's also easy to prune and that would keep it in scale with your camellia. We look forward to ours blooming, not for the blossoms (not impressive) but for the lovely aroma. They are hardy and usually don't need much care.

[southernnaturelover]

Originally Posted by gentlearts

I thought palms need full sun?

The ones I mentioned occur naturally in shady wooded areas. Pindo palms also look very good in shady areas where their fronds grow larger.

Another possibility is Feijoa (Pineapple guava). I have five of these in both full sun and part shade, and they all look good. One flowered for the first time this year.

[southernnaturelover]

Red Buckeye is another shade lover, it also attracts hummingbirds.

[no kudzu]

I know you said you already have azaleas but it is a great suggestion because they are such shallow rooted plants. you could simply pile up soil around them if you can't dig as hole because of roots. Too many roots competing for moisture and nutrients will make a lot of these suggestions difficult. There are so many different varieties of azaleas blooming at different times of the year.

[Caladium]

We have a large Japanese Kerria next to our oak. It seems to thrive in that semi shady spot. It blooms profusely in the spring and then intermittently (but not all that much) throughout the summer and fall. The birds seem to love it. No fragrance, though.