Community Corner
Getting to Know Dry-Shade-Loving Plants
San Juan's Tree of Life Nursery celebrated the state's first official Native Plant Week with a host of events.
San Juan Capistrano's own Tree of Life Nursery did its part to celebrate.
The nursery held events ranging from free "kill your lawn" workshops to landscape design challenges. On April 20, I took part by attending a coffee break hosted by Tree of Life staffer Jean.
Three other ladies and I arrived at 10 a.m. for organic coffee and cookies. The day's topic? Dry-shade planting.
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Dry-shade plants are a special type of plant that flourish in shady areas where this isn't a lot of moisture. Early on in our coffee break, Jean pointed out a giant sycamore with colorful beds of lush iris cropping up around it. This situation, Jean explained, is a perfect example of dry shade.
Obviously, the canopy of the sycamore casts a huge shadow around all plants growing beneath it. What we don't see, however, is the tree's giant root system, which soaks up much of the water in the subsoil, leaving little left for its neighbors. If you have trees in your yard and have been wondering why nothing will grow around the bases, this is exactly why.
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What to do? Get to know your dry-shade-loving plants.
Jean focused on two types that offer lots of bright, colorful options for all landscape styles: the iris and the heuchera.
The iris blooms for only part of the year, but it is a perennial, meaning you don't need to remove it after the blooming season. It will bloom again, and, in between blooms, it provides a nice green, grassy-like shrub. As far as color options are concerned purple, lavender, white, buttercream and magenta iris were putting on a show at Tree of Life. Varieties to look into are Canyon Snow, California Gold and Pacific Coast Hybrid.
The heuchera is another dry-shade lover that produces flowers on long stems, flowers that attract such pollinators as the hummingbird. And, just like the iris, these flowers can be used in fresh floral arrangements. Heuchera are available in a host of colors—from milky white to bright pink. Look for Canyon Duet, Coral Bells and Opal.
If you are interested in seeing some of these varieties around San Juan, contact Tree of Life about its upcoming garden tour!
