What would you recommend planting in an area that gets virtually no sun? There is a bed that runs parallel to the sidewalk up to our front porch that has sadly been empty since we moved in years ago. We're currently sprucing up our house to sell and definitely need to boost the curb appeal by putting something in there, but I have no idea what. It is in shade pretty much all of the time (about 1/3 of it is literally *always* in the shade).
We are thinking of putting rocks in it, but if we do that I also definitely want to put some potted stuff in there as well. Or do you think it would look better to just plant it full of something colorful that grows well in the shade?
ETA: If it matters, it is a rectangle about a foot and a half deep and probably 8 feet long.
Re: S/O (sort of) - gardening experts
Impatiens and some kinds of begonias do quite well in the shade, and would probably look nice among rocks. They are annuals, though, so you'd have to replant every year.
Some kinds of ornamental grasses might do well, too.
We have a similar area along our entryway. I put ornamental grass in during the fall and planted some bulbs. So far, so good, but I still need to figure out what to put in between the grasses when the bulbs are done.
I think the grasses and stones would look fine. Low maintenance, so it'd be better than seeing dead flowers from the heat in the middle of summer. I never remember to water my flowers enough.
Or do you think it would look better to put down rocks and then put several pots with different types of flowers?
I am so clueless about this stuff.
I love love love Begonias! We planted a bunch last year and they did great in our mostly shady flower bed. We got a pretty good deal on them at the OKC Farmer's Market.
I thought Begonias were perennials? I remember looking them up online last year. Maybe I'm wrong though, I don't know much about plants/flowers.
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I can't find anything about this that doesn't seem confusing, but as best as I can understand, I think they are technically perennials in their native climate, but that they don't usually survive more than a year in most places, so they are usually treated as annuals.
I think we will go with the whole bed of begonias since so many of you like them. I think some color will really help with our curb appeal. Thanks for the input, everyone!