Create a tropical oasis on a shady deck or patio
Gardeners who have decks or patios shaded by majestic trees or nearby buildings can create a tropical oasis every bit as beautiful as those who garden in full sun. Some tropical foliage plants offer as much color as sun-loving flowering tropicals.
The vividly colored leaves of caladiums need no help from flowers. Their leaves are intensely colored and heavily veined, splashed or spotted in shades of pink, red, green or white. Caladiums like heat and high humidity, but protection from direct sun and strong winds.
Alocasia and Colocasia boast bold, arrow-shaped leaves on strong, upright stems. Some flaunt foliage that is shiny green on top, burgundy on the underside. Frydek shows off velvety black leaves with distinct white veins. Hilo Beauty displays green leaves splattered with chartreuse, creamy white and yellow - a striking play of colors that brighten shady containers. The lush, lime green foliage of Mojito is marked with dark, irregular blotches.
Most varieties grow 2 to 3 feet tall, although a few get much taller. Elephant ears, as they are commonly called, provide an impressive backdrop for ferns and flowering annuals, like impatiens and begonias.
There are several varieties of coleus made for the shade. The Kong series offers flashy, monster-sized foliage. Kong Red has leaves with a bright red vein in the center; Kong Rose sports a vibrant rose center surrounded by a green edge. The Wizard series is another outstanding group of coleus for the shade.
Coleus don't require a lot of care. Pinch out the centers of stems periodically to keep plants bushy. Water often enough to keep the soil slightly moist, but not so often that the potting mix is soggy. Remove flower spikes when they begin to form.
Creeping Jenny, botanically known as Lysimachia nummularia, spills gold over the edges of containers. Equally at home in sun or shade, its tiny golden leaves form long cords of foliage.
Ferns are a must have in shady tropical containers. Their fine-textured fronds contrast dramatically with the large leaves of many tropical plants. Boston ferns are chosen for their bright green arching fronds. Kimberly Queen ferns are valued for their durable, dark green, upright fronds. Macho ferns are similar in form to Boston ferns, but grow larger.
Trim off damaged foliage to encourage growth of new fronds. Ferns prefer moist, but not wet potting mix.
Hummingbirds may join you on a shady deck or patio if you plant fuchsia Gartenmeister. One of my favorites, its red stems hold clusters of coral-colored, tubular flowers that glow against dark green foliage with bronze tones on top, purplish red shades underneath. Planted as annuals in our area, they grow a couple feet tall and wide. Fertilize plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer every couple weeks for best blooming.
Dragon Wing begonias are another flowering annual with tropical flair. Deep glossy green or bronze (depending on the variety) leaves are held on thick stems that begin growing upright and then arch gracefully as summer progresses. Cultivars are available with red, coral-pink and white flowers that bloom nonstop all summer long. Plants grow at least 2 feet tall in shade or sun, as long they are protected from the hottest afternoon sun. Don't overwater Dragon Wing begonias - they resent soggy conditions. Although, they prefer slightly moist potting mix, I have found them to be very drought tolerant in my containers.
Shade gardeners can have the best of both worlds - the feel of a hot tropical paradise while they sip on a cool beverage in the coolness of their shady deck or patio.
• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist, garden writer and speaker. She blogs at gardenwithdiana.com.