GARDENING IN THE SHADE BY CRAIG N. HUEGEL SHADE CREATES GARDENING CHALLENGES that must be overcome if our landscapes are to be both diverse and interesting. Plants feed on sunlight, so reducing it puts many on a starvation diet impossible to overcome. Only a few thrive in low light. Below are some of the best shade tolerant native plants to use beneath a canopy in a shady landscape. Simpson Stopper (Myrcianthes fragrans) Simpson Stopper has rapidly become one of the state’s most widely used native plants. Though it naturally occurs in south Florida and along the Simpson Stoppers grow as understory trees in a shadier setting, such as a hammock. The bright red fruit attracts birds and people. This specimen, below, is a mature 'Showstopper,' a natural selection of the species originating in the wild in Pasco County. Marlberry’s abundant cream-colored blooms stand out in this mixed screen of native South Florida shrubs. FROM TOP LEFT: FRAN PALMERI, ALAN WISE, JENNY EVANS east coast to nearly Jacksonville, its great adaptability to site conditions and its tolerance to temperatures into the 20s allow it to be used nearly statewide. Simpson Stopper is evergreen. Its foliage and flaky reddish bark give it great aesthetic value, and its highly aromatic white flowers add to this. The bright red fruit are edible and also highly prized by songbirds. Though quite shade tolerant, Simpson Stopper acts like a small tree if not given ample sunlight and will not flower and fruit well in deep shade. It is best used where it will get several hours of direct sunlight during the day. Marlberry (Ardisia escallonoides) Marlberry is a narrow-crowned evergreen shrub that can reach 12-15 feet tall in frost-free parts of the state. It will suffer minor damage if exposed to temperatures in the mid-20’s and should not be used in colder CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 AFTER WILDFLOWERS SECTION 12 GUIDE FOR REAL FLORIDA GARDENERS FALL 2016-2017 FANN / Florida Association of Native Nurseries
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