69 Kauae Street.
Manaia 4612.
South Taranaki.

(06) 274 9436
Evenings
cottage.nursery@xtra.co.nz

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Plants for Shade - These are available now
Picture (Click to enlarge)Plant NamePlant DescriptionCost
 
AJUGA Catlins Giant AJUGA Catlins Giant SHADE. This is a superb Ajuga. It really covers the ground, prefering light to moderate shade but will grow in full sun. The flower spikes are large, & a bright purple-blue, in spring & sometimes in autumn. It has very distinctive foliage, large broad leaves in dark shiny green, burnished with very deep copper shades. Unfussy as to conditions, as it went thru our drought with flying colours.
One of the most versatile & toughest ground cover plants I know.
PB 3/4 size, $5.00.
$ 5.00
ANEMONE 'Koenigen Charlotte' (Queen Charlotte)ANEMONE 'Koenigen Charlotte' (Queen Charlotte)Raised in 1898, this heritage Wind Flower is mid-pink, with med-large semi double flowers in a massive late summer display. Cut to the ground after flowering, they will come back with new foliage, & root prune either then or in spring when new growth begins again. Semi shade suits Anemone best, & average to moist conditions. Ideal on the south side of the house.
These will grow into large clumps, with wide spread tenacious roots, so do be careful where you put them. With enough room, they are magnificent, especially under large trees when they can get enough water. Winter dormant. Very hardy
barerooted pieces
$ 4.50
ANEMONE Luise Uhink. Heritage variety.ANEMONE Luise Uhink. Heritage variety.SHADE. One of several memorable Windflowers raised in the late 1800's, early 1900's, by Eric Smith, of 'The Plantsmen', in the UK. This is a variety that is now grown world wide in temperate climates.
Luise Uhink is a large flowered Anemone, 6-10 petals of pure white, some 7-8cm across. Late summer, autumn flowering, it provides a stately upright plant to around 1.5m in good soil, with adequate moisture. Give it room to establish into a good sized clump in light or even heavyish shade, as on the south side of the house. Remember the root system of all Anemone are vigorous, & excess pieces are best removed by root pruning, close to the main plant, at the time of cutting back, after flowering. Winter dormant in heavy frost areas.
PB 3/4 size $5.00. I can also dig rooted pieces if required.
$ 5.00
ANEMONE Prinz Heinrich; (Prince Henry). Click the picture for the best view.ANEMONE Prinz Heinrich; (Prince Henry). Click the picture for the best view.SHADE. A grand companion for the white Luise Uhink. Raised around the same time, late 1800's. Truly a Heritage perennial. As for the others, but the flowers here are a mid to dark pink, far more 'double', & very large. In a massive display there is nothing more superb, for the early autumn garden. Same cultural notes apply.
Barerooted pieces from the garden.
$ 4.00
ANEMONE tomentosaANEMONE tomentosaI have a few of this lovely old Anemone that always does so well in light to moderate shade. Flowers are a good size with distinctive golden centres. Ht to around 1.5m, spread as much as you like. In a smaller garden it would pay to have a barrier around it.
Barerooted, 3-4 pieces. $4.00
$ 4.00
Astilbe chinensis - possibly 'Jo Ophurst'ASTILBE chinensis - possibly 'Jo Ophurst'SHADE. The Astilbe are beautiful plants to grow, the fine feathery flowers on stiff stems arriving in late spring & holding for several weeks into summer. This one has lost it's label, but it hardly matters with such a beauty, anyway.
Light shade in average soil, or full sun in boggy conditions, ferny bronzed spring foliage, beautiful flowers & the adult foliage to finish the season.
Very hardy.
Pieces from the garden
$ 5.00
CORYDALIS elataCORYDALIS elataSHADE: Corydalis elata is a taller, more compact plant than the Pere David. The flowers are a brighter blue, held well up over the fern-like foliage, & the plant does not go dormant in summer.
Blooming starts here mid spring, & there has been colour most months of the year thru to mid winter. That may not be the case in either warmer or colder climates, tho.
Easy to grow, needs little attention, & it will spread sedately over 2-3 seasons to become a feature plant.
PB 3/4 size $5.00.
$ 5.00
Deutzia gracilis. Spring flowering shrubDEUTZIA gracilis. Spring flowering shrubSHADE. The lovely massed white flowering of this little low shrubby plant is a real stand-out in a shaded spot. Only about 30cm high, it will get taller if unpruned, but at the expense of flowers the folowing spring. I found a quick tip prune after flowering is sufficient for extra bushiness, while it is small.
Hardy, deciduous, easy to grow in any average soil, in light or dappled shade.
PB 3/4 size, $5.00.
$ 5.00
Dicentra PinkDICENTRA PinkLight pink Dutchman's Breeches. See notes for white. 2 left$ 5.00
Dicentra WhiteDICENTRA WhiteSHADE. White Dutchman's breeches. 40cm, flowers in spring. Dies down in winter. PB 3/4 size $5.00$ 5.00
GERANIUM Orkney Pink. GERANIUM Orkney Pink. A lovely Cranesbill, making a nice moderate mound to around 30cm, & sweet strong pink flowers from spring on. As with all cranesbill, they are better in either morning sun, or light shade to prevent summer burning. Average soil conditions suit.
PB 3/4 size $5-00.
$ 5.00
GERANIUM traversii. GERANIUM traversii. From the Chatham Islands, this unusual Geranium has dark green foliage with a silky feel. From late spring thru summer, the flower sprays are held bushily above the leaves before falling outwards. The flowers are white flushed pale mauve-pink.
G traversii has a habit of moving, ie, 'traversing' during growth, so don't be surprised to find it some way away from the parent plant. I find it a real honey, in either sun or light shade especially over summer. Average soil is fine, with summer moisture.
PB 3/4 size. $6.00
$ 6.00
HEUCHERELLA Bridget BloomHEUCHERELLA Bridget BloomSHADE. A very pretty shade loving foliage plant, with the bonus of tall stems of tiny pink & white flowers in spring. The markings on the leaves are brown, the picture being of a young plant arount 6months old in it's first flowering. The clumps are moderate sized, quite full, & nicely shaped. Deadhead the flower stems as they finish for a longer display, & sometimes there may be a small repeat in the autumn. Cool semi shade, average conditions, it can be divided after 2-3 years, but a large clump looks better that 3-4 little ones. Feed 2-3 times a year, remove the odd dead leaf from underneath, & that's all, except to enjoy it's beauty. Evergreen. Hardy.
This is always a popular one, PB 3/4 size $5.00.
$ 5.00
LOBELIA Ruby RedLOBELIA Ruby RedSHADE. I think this is 'siphilticia', but I could be wrong. This is a tall elegant woodland maiden, with rich ruby flowers the shape of a Cardinal's Hat, albiet upside down. Autumn flowering at around 1m high, & a clump of 3 will produce a superb show for many years when established. Light shade & don't let it dry out. It will tolerate most soil conditions, even clay, so long as drainage is good.
Cut down the finished stems to the ground in autumn so the growth can refresh before winter dormancy. It may possibly need slug bait when emerging in spring. Very hardy.
PB 3/4 size, $6-00.
$ 6.00
LYSIMACHIA ephemerumLYSIMACHIA ephemerumAnother large grower, with big heavy stems in summer topped with a filligree of white flowers. It's very pretty.
Average soil, light shade. Perhaps a bit easier to shift if needed than the Gooseneck, but it is still a very substantial plant. Give it space, in the back of the shade border, for a magnificent display over several weeks to around 1.5m high.
Cut the stems to the ground as they finish, & new growth may respond with a lower flowering. Winter dormant & very hardy.
barerooted from the garden. Dormant.
$ 5.00
PHYGELIUS aequalis Yellow TrumpetPHYGELIUS aequalis Yellow TrumpetSHADE. The Cape Fuschia, as it's called. From mid spring thru into autumn, the panicles of soft yellow trumpets are a delight, lightening a shady spot. It is a good cut flower, & removing the spent stems will extend the flowering period. This shrubby perennial grows to around 1m, with about 70cm spread. It is a smaller variety than the old ruffian that used to be sold. It is better in light shade, in moist, but well drained conditions, but seems just as happy in full sun or partial shade. I have plants in both aspects.
Prune hard in early spring, when the new growth starts showing. A feed also won't go amiss. For mild climates, where it is evergreen, you can prune off at least 2/3 of the old growth before winter, if you prefer. In cold areas, it is deciduous, & can be cut to the ground or to live wood, if it develops a woody base, & if it suckers out too far, use a sharp spade. It's no big deal to get rid of unwanted roots. Very pretty, & easy to grow. Hardy.
I can send 2 rooted pieces for $5.00, & these can go as an extra for courier, or posted alone for $3.00, pruned.
$ 5.00
TELLIMA grandiflora. Fringe CupsTELLIMA grandiflora. Fringe CupsSHADE. One of the best foliage plants for shade, to my mind. Big rounded leaves, with interesting contrast markings, very easy to grow & looks good all thru the season. The clump itself gets about 40cm x 40cm, flower stems 60-70cm
The 'fringed' flowers are out thru spring, on their long graceful stems, all greeny cream, & working among the plants is a real delight. The perfume is superb!! No petals..just a wee pinkish fringe. Unusual. The picture is of a young one from last season, now doubled in size. Once flowering is finished, around the end of spring, trim the stems back to the base, & give the plant a light feed of blood & bone to set it up for the rest of the season. It will do you proud in most soil conditions, in light shade. After winter it needs a good clip over to remove the old foliage, another light fertilising, & off again for another season. You may even find a baby or three nearby.
Rooted pieces from the garden.
$ 5.00
VANCOUVERIA hexandraVANCOUVERIA hexandraSHADE. A good groundcover for shade, this ferny scrambler has foliage like a pale maidenhair fern. Unlike the fern tho, in early spring it sends up wiry branched stems with white dangling flowers. Blooming lasts for a few weeks, but it is the foliage that remains all year that is the main attraction of the plant.
Average to moist soil, otherwise unfussy. Given time it will cover a reasonable area on a bank or under shrubs etc, or it can be planted as a woodlander.
Rooted pieces from the garden.
$ 5.00
VIOLET Apricot. Irish EleganceVIOLET Apricot. Irish EleganceSHADE. This is a delightful, & very scarce, Violet. Delicate little apricot shaded flowers, with a good fragrance & the stems are of medium length. Flowering is in late winter, early spring with sometimes a small repeat in late autumn if it's happy in the site you give it.
The usual Violet conditions, light shade, or morning sun, fertile soil & water when it's dry.
Rooted pieces from the garden. Limit 1 order per person.
$ 6.00
VIOLET Double BlueVIOLET Double BlueSHADE. This parma violet is a variation that has been carried thru many generations of enthusiastic growers in New Zealand. It is a lovely healthy plant when grown in it's favourite semi-shaded situation, in moist but not soggy conditions, with winter sun to encourage the flowers. Light purple-blue double flowers with a white centre, & a gorgeous scent.
Fertilise gently before & after it's winter/spring flowering. Deadheading, or cutting the flowers for the tiny vase will encourage more & more flowers. This makes a good groundcover, evergreen & Hardy.
Rooted pieces from the garden.
$ 6.00
VIOLET Hopley's Double WhiteVIOLET Hopley's Double WhiteSHADE. The double white violet, often hard to locate in garden centres. Beautiful fragrance too. This has now been identified by a world authority as 'Hopley's' Double white.
All Violets grow best in light shade where the soil is free draining, but doesn't dry out. Once established, it will form a good matt of heart shaped deep green shiny foliage. Flowering is in the cooler months of late autumn thru winter, early spring. Handy for containers where the flowers can be fully appreciated at a closer level to the nose.
Fertilise gently after flowering, & again in early autumn, to enhance vigour & promote flowering. Flowering is also promoted by deadheading, or picking the blooms for the house. Evergreen. Hardy.
Rooted pieces from the garden.
$ 6.00
VIOLET labradoricaVIOLET labradoricaSHADE. The darkest foliaged Violet, with burgundy undersides & dark green rounded leaves. Short stemmed bright violet flowers start from late winter, & continue well thru spring.
Unfussy as to conditions, this is so easy to grow, as it self seeds around, & sometimes appears in the unlikeliest places, even in full sun. It loves nooks & crannies, cracks in paths & settles in well in a woodland setting. Evergreen hardy. I find it delightful.
rooted pieces from the garden
$ 5.00
VIOLET odorata Rose PinkVIOLET odorata Rose PinkSHADE. Typical vigorous violet growth with healty foliage & medium stemmed fragrant flowers in rose pink. These lighten with spring warmth & I guess, the amount of sunshine. A good doer for light or afternoon shade & reasonably moist conditions. Flowers in the cooler months, from late winter well into spring. Very easy to grow, & a good spreader.
3 rooted pieces from the garden.
$ 5.00
VIOLET Princess of WalesVIOLET Princess of WalesSHADE. This was rescued from a very old garden in the Taranaki. A remnant of a once beautiful patch in an old commercial flower garden. The genuine large flowered, long-stemmed dark purple 'smelly' one...incredible fragrance!!! Reminiscent of the Covent Garden flower girls with their bunches of violets. This could have been the variety they sold, & probably do still. It actually origonated in France, & it's proper name is Viola odorata Princesse de Galles. Partial or light shade. If it has winter sun it's happy. A vigorous grower, ideal for naturalising under deciduous trees, or in a large well looked after container or tub. A little feed before & after flowering which is from June thru October, here. Evergreen, Hardy, very easy to grow. A very long lived perennial.

3 rooted pieces from the garden.
$ 6.00
VIOLET WoodhamVIOLET WoodhamA lovely violet, medium length stems with good sized flowers of mid blue. Fragrant, of course. Growth & habit are the same as most of the others.
3 rooted pieces from the garden
$ 6.00