For:
By:
Daniel E. Mullins
Extension Horticulture Agent
Flowers for Different Light Conditions
Light is difficult to control in most
landscapes. Though we make adjustments in
soil moisture and fertility to meet the needs of certain plants, changing the
intensity and duration of sunlight that strikes a particular area is generally
not practical. When purchasing flowering annuals and perennials it is
therefore very important to select those species that prefer, or tolerate
available light that is present in your landscape.
Areas
in the yard that receive full sunlight or direct sun for at least 6 hours each
day make choosing flower species and varieties easier. Many of the
colorful annuals and perennials prefer a bright location. There is a long
list of sun loving annuals and perennials including such well known flowers as
marigold, zinnia, ageratum, celosia, cosmos, phlox, blue daze, coneflower,
black-eyed susan and salvia.
Partially shaded locations also offer many choices. This light condition
can be defined as areas with filtered sunlight, shifting shade or those
receiving either morning or afternoon direct sunlight. Here, consider
using coleus, Crossandra, Begonia, Exacum, Streptocarpus, Pentas, blue sage,
firespike, golden shrimp plant, Mexican heather, Plumbago
and shrimp plant.
Shady
areas of the landscape are more challenging. Those dark spots, including
areas along the north side of the house and in the shade of trees and large
shrubs can be especially difficult.
The
list of shade loving colorful plants for the landscape is relatively
short. Where light is limited, try these herbaceous plants: hosta,
caladium, Impatiens, Crossandra and Dahlia.
Question of the Week: I have holes bored in my maple tree up about five feet from the ground,
and they are almost in a straight line. Can you give me any idea what
this is and how to get rid of the pest?
Answer: Holes
that have a pattern, such as evenly spaced holes in a horizontal
line around the trunk or branches is usually the work of the yellow-bellied
sapsucker. This migratory woodpecker arrives along the
The
bird is relatively small with a black and white head and chest. There is
a red area on the forehead and under the chin.
Sapsuckers generally do not seriously harm trees. The holes that they
make are not deep and there is usually no permanent damage. The only
exception is when the birds drill so many holes that the tree is weakened and
becomes susceptible to other problems such as borers.
Don’t
confuse holes made by woodpeckers with holes made by boring insects.
Borer holes are not as numerous and are never spaced evenly or with a specific
pattern.