Plants That Take Sun and Shade for the Mid-Atlantic

1. Virgin’s Bower

Name : Clematisvirginiana

Zones:3–8

Size:12 to 20 feet improbable and 3 to 6 infantry full

Conditions : Full sun to full tint ; average to fuddled , well - drained grease

aboriginal range : Eastern North America

Virgin ’s pergola is a native woody perennial vine . It has many common names — including Virginia creeper , old humanity ’s byssus , and devil ’s darn needles — but “ sweet fall clematis ” ( C. terniflora , Zones 4–9 ) is n’t one of them . That ’s a more aggressive , trespassing industrial plant originating from Japan and often confused with our aboriginal vine , even at garden centers . Virgin ’s pergola is a strong climber that will bloom in virtually any lightheaded weather condition . Its fall flowers are white , fragrant , bountiful , and unappealing to cervid and rabbits . In fact , the leave are toxic to homo and animals when absorb and can now and again cause contact dermatitis , so wear your gloves when handling them . Virgin ’s bower can get large and may be cut back hard each year for a more achievable size .

2. Pretty Sedge

Name : Carexwoodii

Zones:4–8

Size:12 to 14 in tall and spreading 3 to 4 foot

Conditions : Full sun to full nuance ; average to moist , well - drained soil

Native range : Eastern and midwestern North America

Carexis one of the most utile genus of works for garden , and pretty sedge is one of the easiest species to incorporate . This plant has medium - greenish foliage , a tidy size with a spread habit , and cervid and pest opposition . A great North American – aboriginal option to lilyturf ( Liriopespicata , Zones 4–10 ) , pretty sedge has exploded in popularity since being named in Mt. Cuba Center ’s 2023 “ Carex for the Mid - Atlantic Region ” report as one of the good sedges for lawn replacement . When you receive it , catch it , because growers ca n’t keep up with demand . Try planting a nice undulation of pretty sedge in front of some ‘ Hot Lips ’ turtlehead for a stellar combination . While this repeated likes moist soil , it is drought tolerant once establish .

3. ‘Hot Lips’ Turtlehead

Name : Chelonelyonii‘Hot Lips ’

Size:2 to 4 feet tall and 1 to 2½ feet wide

Conditions : Full sun to full shade ; fair to wet soil

Native range : Southeastern United States

Just when the garden is starting to look hackneyed in late summertime , the unique pinkish blooms of ‘ Hot Lips ’ snakehead look . These flowers can last into spill . This industrial plant is not as well known as some other fall standards , so people often stop to ask , “ What is that ? ” With erect stems , glazed , medium - immature foliage , strong pinkish petal , and great deer resistance , ‘ Hot Lips ’ is particularly impactful when implant en masse shot . That ’s a good thing , since it spread easy by rhizomes . In refinement , plant it densely or tweet it back to promote fullness and to preclude flopping . This perennial take acidic to neutral grime pH , and I ’ve find that it ’s very felicitous in the clay soil of the D.C. metro region .

4. Inkberry

Name : Ilexglabra

Zones:4–9

Size:5 to 10 feet tall and all-encompassing

shape : Full sun to partial shade ; average to blotto ground

Inkberry is one of our few North American broadleaf evergreen shrubs . Highly adaptable to various soil , light , and wet weather , it ’s wide used in present-day landscapes despite a frustrating aptness to sometimes defoliate along the lower third of its branch . It ’s best at the back of a molding , where its mystifying dark-green , glossy leave contrast with foreground plants , which will cover its stage if they decide to go scanty . This shrub can achieve a courteous , full shape with some pruning . In early spring , cut back a third of the branches to their point of origin , or cut the whole shrub down to about 18 column inch for gross rejuvenation . Inkberry can farm in full nicety , but it will be long-legged , so it is best in full sunshine to fond shade .

Maureen Robinson is president of the Washington , D.C. , Maryland , and Virginia chapter of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers ( APLD ) .

Virgin’s Bower

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Pretty Sedge

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Hot Lips Turtlehead

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