Shady Southern Charm
Nothing beats the shade cast by live oaks during the hot summer season. Today
I’m at the home of my friends Diane and Charlie Henderson. With a western
exposure gardening can be a challenge in southern Mississippi, even in the
shade. The dense shade cast by these live oaks certainly goes a long
ways in modifying the heat. The planting beds are all raised to aid
soil drainage. Live oak leaf litter is used as a natural mulching material
breaking down and enriching the soil. Correct plant selection is also
critical for gardening success. We’re used to seeing wisteria scrambling
over everything in the early spring, but here wisteria has been trained to
be shrub-like. Planted in a spot receiving full sun there are still
a few of the pendulous purple flowers defiantly blooming. In another
full sun location the gray-green century plant anchors the landscape bed. In
the shade many times foliage plants are the best choice and they don’t have
to be boring. There are many colors and textures that work well in
combinations. Cut leaf philodendron adds texture with its large leaves
and shell ginger with irregular stripes of yellow and green give a tropical
feel. Variegated Liriope in flower fits right in. Colorful annuals,
like flowering Vinca, are placed strategically to add splashes of color. Most
gardeners think we can mold the environment to meet our planting desires. But
sometimes letting the environment win is the best advice for an attractive
landscape. I’m Gary Bachman for Southern gardening.