I have this very shady corner in my patio that has been an ongoing project for me, trying to find which plants will thrive, and will not block the sliding door access.

My first option in 2011, I planted Hostas. It works during late Spring to Summer, they thrive well, but my problem is during late fall to winter, it becomes an empty space.



So I added the next season some spider plants, since the spider plants can withstand our cold and wet winters..however, it is a more aggressive plant, and has gradually overrun my Hostas I need a plant that will have an upward growth too.



So this Spring 2014..what to do..spider plants thriving quite well as expected:


For now, I am using this flip flop flower stand..I pulled the spider plant off the main container..I did see some Hosta eyes, oh, so very few..do not know if they will try to come out, but I left them inside the main container. Have no idea what to plant on the upper portion so just using the smaller containers with some succulent clippings..hoping to find something else nice to plant there.
If anyone has suggestions for plants to grow in that shade, would love to hear inputs
As much as possible, I would not want to be digging plants every season..

I just made some changes..have removed the metal pinwheel, covered the metal tube opening with this red cap, added a smaller clay container and have put one of my Semp 'Kalinda' and have added a Sedum rubrotinctum cutting on the middle containers..so fingers crossed..hope the plants make it.

Sempervivum 'Kalinda'


Sedum rubrotinctum and Crassula alpestris


Oscularia caulescens and a noid succulent


The whole set-up for now:


Still open for suggestions in case my set-up goes haywire.

Tarev, I don't have any suggestions but love your creativity.

Tarev,

Thanks Leda and Christine

Tarev, you might want to consider one of the ficus trees, particularly the "Narrow-leaf" ficus, Ficus macellandii. It is what I would consider an almost perfect shade-plant. It is evergreen, does not drop its leaves, grows slowly, and can easily be pruned to make it more compact and to control its size. I have a "Mother" narrow-leaf that is 6-7 years old, and she grows only about 6" each year. I have taken several cuttings from her over the last 5 years, and those rooted cuttings are now nice plants, ranging from 12" tall to 24" tall.

Thanks Ken! I looked up the plant..hmm..may not be able to survive winter outdoors.

The area I have is shaded, but still outdoors.

It will take light freezes/light frosts but anything below 28 F will cause leaf damage. It is a tropical tree but not considered a "tender" tropical.

Thanks Ken That corner has hosted before my Dracaena Marginata and also my Sanseveira, and both were near death during winter, that is why I am a bit wary when it says tropical. But maybe I will try it..who knows maybe it will work. Are you selling one by any chance

Before I send you a Tree-Mail, is it possible to bring in a (small) plant IF it looks like a heavy frost or freeze will occur?

Banana-Leaf Ficus (Ficus maclellandii 'Alii') will grow big!

I can bring them in..actually I will observe how that plant will grow. Maybe as long as I keep it in a small container, it will keep small or maybe if I can wrap it to keep warm and then it can continue to stay outdoors, as long as beside our house during winter.

I have a friend that puts her large potted palms on small dollies with wheels and then she can move them easily when it storms or gets cold. You might consider something like that or something slick to put under the pot and drag it. that way you can bring it indoors quickly when you need to.

Yup, I do have some of my plants in dollies., helps me a lot during clean-up especially when all the city tree debris litters my yard.

Can you install a hook and put in a hanging plant? There are several hanging plants that grow down and not out.

Sadly, hanging plants not an option in that corner..hubby not keen into it...but thanks Cheryl!

In the meantime, I will try that narrow leaf Ficus from Ken..will see how it goes