Providing for Shade-Loving Plants

Shade lovers like tuberous begonia, fuchsia, rhododendron have shallow roots. Exposed to hot sun, they lose water faster than they absorb it—sunburn, wilt, wither. To succeed, minimize direct sun and keep humidity high. Near the ocean, cloud cover and natural humidity may suffice. Inland gardeners should site shade plants under high-branching trees, beneath lath structures or shade cloth, or on north/east side of building/fence/wall.

In any area, shield from steady winds with fences, louvers, windbreak plantings.

For high humidity, water often and mulch; coarse moist mulch releases water into air. On especially hot/low-humidity days, water diligently and mist foliage; drip irrigation with mister-type emitters helps.