Container Gardening Ideas for Shady Areas

**Kris10** · 05-09-2007, 05:07 PM

Please forgive my ignorance... the only thing I can successfully grow is my waistline.

Last year I planted wave petunias in plastic boxes on my front porch. Apparently it doesn't get as much sun as I think it does because the poor petunias didn't do very well.

I'm looking for ideas on what to plant in two plastic troughs and a large terra cotta pot. I filled all of my containers with rocks on the bottom, then some type of Miracle Grow soil. All I'm looking to do is get some color into a shady area, and I'm not sure what to plant!

pk · 05-09-2007, 06:32 PM

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:.../IMPATIENS.JPG Impatiens.
They will do well in shady/sun areas.
They are great for containers, and/or flower beds.

They come in various colors. White, red, pink, lt pink, salmon, stripes, etc.

Most any store that carries flowers will carry this kind also.

pk

**MrKhay** · 05-09-2007, 06:48 PM

Mushrooms grow well in shady areas. you can eat the crop, as well as look at them. Mushrooms really don't mind growing in plastic. I think they might also enjoy the Terra cota.

The Shiitakes will require a log to grow on, so place a log in one of the plastic troughs.
I'm just glad I was able to help out. :wink:

**Kris10** · 05-10-2007, 08:24 AM

Thanks for the tips. I think Impatiens will provide the color I am looking for.

We did grow white mushrooms from a kit in our basement once. They were the best mushrooms I've ever had! I would love to get some shitakes going because we use them a lot in our cooking.

pk · 05-10-2007, 10:40 AM

I don't know if you have a Steins where you live but they are having a very nice sale on impatiens right now. I was there this morning and alot of people were buying them and everything else too!

The only problem I have noticed with planting before Memorial Day is it always seems to have a cool spell and we fear for our flowers. Maybe with the weather so nice this Spring it won't happen. But impatiens love shadey areas and they tolerate cool maybe even better than hot.

Tell us what you decide on and what color.

Maybe in the Fall you can take some pictures if they did well and share with us.

pk

**CarolsCritterCare** · 05-10-2007, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kris10

Please forgive my ignorance... the only thing I can successfully grow is my waistline.

LOL ~ I Have that same problem!!
Carol :?

pk · 05-11-2007, 07:32 AM

Check out the following website for some good tips on container gardening:

WEBSITE: http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/t...ntainerindoor/

**CarolsCritterCare** · 05-11-2007, 07:54 AM

Great website!!

I was at the Jefferson Flea market on Sunday and there was a vendor there who had these HUGE tomatoe plants for sale ~ $9.00 a milk jug.
One plant per jug....but they were by far the biggest I have ever seen this time of year. He said he has fresh tomatoes all year round at home because he grows them in the milk jugs under lamps.

Nope....didn't buy any. I'm allergic to tomatoes. But they looked like real nice plants!

Carol

**MrKhay** · 05-11-2007, 09:34 AM

Any idea as to what type of soil the plant were growing in? Seems the tomato flavor is shorted when they grow in potting soil. I did a taste test last year, with some I grew in potting soil, and some the neighbor grew in the garden. The garden maters' had the more full flavor.

Lauri · 11-29-2007, 01:25 PM

TUBEROUS BEGONIAS love shade and really make a huge impact in the garden. I also grow many strawberry pot containers of wax begonias in the shady areas of the yard. I keep the tuberous begonias on the dry side so they bloom more profusely. The waxed begonias I like to have wet feet and they always do very well. WAXED begonias are very suceptible to frost, so don't plant before you are sure the frost will not be an issue, or be prepared to move container plantings indoors at night.

Also, look for the double impatients. They look like minature roses!
Lauri