Episode 63: Color in the Shade

Let's Argue About Plants

When you think about shade do you think about various different colors of green? Maybe a white striped hosta if you’re lucky? You’re not alone. Many of us think that the term “colorful shade plant” is a fantasy—that there isn’t an appreciable number of plants that produce vibrant reds, yellows, or purples in little to no sun. But, that’s not the case. In this episode Danielle and Steve talk about several plants that put on a colorful display in the darkest corners of their beds and borders. From a spotted low-grower that gets a plethora of blue, pink, and purple blooms in early spring to a dogwood that will leave visitors to your space stunned by its golden hue. And, did you know there are several lilies that bloom prolifically in the shade? It’s true, according to this week’s expert testimony.

Expert testimony: Ed Lyon, director of the Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University.