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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 12, 2004)
S ushi Station BY RACHEL FOSTER Face Up to Shade 199 East 5th Avenue ◆ 541-484-1334 Could your garden be less sunny than you think? Come see our sushi-go-round and open grill S Sushi starting at $1.75 We serve: tempura ◆ udon ◆ yakisoba teppanyaki ◆ teriyaki lunch box specials and more... Take out available Lunch MON-FRI 11:30-2:30 Dinner MON-SAT 5:00-10:00 ◆ Closed SUN RACHEL FOSTER of looking up at the sky to see what the hade has been on my mind lately. plants see. Once a plant gets much less than We miss our sick old plum tree, half a day of sun, reflected light from open which used to provide a nice cool sky can be much more important than direct place to sit in the garden and read. And I’ve sunlight. Watch the garden throughout the been appreciating the fact that, given shade, day in spring and summer to identify the you can even work outside on a hot after- brightest places. You may want to reserve noon in reasonable comfort. Shady gardens these for a few plants with showy flowers, also wait more patiently for water: It’s rare or sun lovers with interesting leaves that are that a few more hours of drought will mean worth growing even if they won’t bloom. death to a plant that’s growing in the shade. Where grass does not appear on its own This is also a time of year when I am and violets are your only weeds, it’s a sure bet reminded, when something planted hopeful- you are dealing with full shade! The ground ly in spring turns leggy and fails to bloom, under mature trees can be dry as well as dark. that shade is not always benign. Even after The depth and type of tree roots influence the years of shade gardening, I can still make the level of soil moisture, which in turn influ- same old mistake. This year I planted a ences plant choice. Native woodland plants, small-leafed rhododendron under leafless large or small, are well adapted to droughty Japanese maples. Only after the trees leafed conditions among tree roots. Plants with out did I realize it will never bloom there or bulbs, tubers or thick fleshy roots, like hostas, even make a nice plant. I should have chosen don’t mind drying out between waterings; a more shade-tolerant variety. astilbes hate it, and may never thrive in At least I recognize the signs of light ground full of thirsty tree roots. deprivation when I see them. I think many gardeners consistently underestimate the impact of shade on their gardens. People who ask me why their plants are doing poorly are usually sur- prised if I suggest they are just not getting enough light. I’ve even seen hybrid tea roses struggling under trees, while the owner protests “but they always did fine right here.” Time passes, trees grow. These gar- deners are in denial. Shade denial is sometimes just a case of wishful thinking: We want to grow plants we know and love, and these are often sun-loving. Only a frac- tion of the plants we grow actually need full sun, thank goodness, in spite of what it says on the labels. But the majority of plants we grow for their flowers need at least five or six hours of direct sun under open sky. How can you tell when plants aren’t getting enough light? They grow slowly, even Silvervein creeper (Parthenocissus henryana) is at its with plenty of water. Stems tend to be most beautiful on a shady wall. few, tall and spindly, with leaves that are farther apart than you expect. And Plants that receive less than half a day of the plants fail to bloom well. sun would rather get it in the cool of the morn- Whatever the cause of shade denial, it’s ing. Plants that withstand hot afternoon-only result is always disappointment. Face facts, sun the best are succulent or hairy, like sedum and you stand a chance of a beautiful gar- or lamb’s ears, or have strap-like leaves — den. If you don’t believe me, go to a library grasses, day-lilies and irises, for example. and check out The Natural Shade Garden Large, thin leaves will grow most beautiful in by Ken Druse. Drool over the pictures, and constant light shade or cool morning sun, so embrace these principles of gardening, save space with those conditions for things never more valuable than in shade: Leaves with particularly gorgeous foliage. Next month matter. Structure and texture are paramount. I will write about some of my own favorite Green is many colors. Then prepare to learn plants for different types of shade. about a whole new set of plants. ew Look at other shady gardens, lots of Rachel Foster of Eugene is a garden writer and consultant. She can be reached at rfoster@efn.org them, and forests, too, and get in the habit Feature Performer & Cover Model ALISHA LEE WED, AUG. 18TH SHOWS AT 9PM, 11PM, & 1AM $2.00 Lunch Special 12-2pm • $4.00 Dinner Special 5-9pm www.dwco.com • 541-942-7088 2165 W. 11TH AVENUE ❤ EUGENE ❤ 683-6021 Monday - Friday 12-2 Saturday & Sunday 2-2 www.hotbody.com AUGUST 12, 2004 31
