I have an area in front of my house that could use some planting. It's under the eaves and shaded by trees, one being a pine. So I need something that would tolerate dry, acidic, shade. I live in zone 4b. Any suggestions?
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Have you checked with your local Agriculture extension office? They usually have great ideas.
Try shade hostas. There are about 350 different kinds. You have a wide variety to choose from. Hostas will grow just about anywhere. A little watering occasionally especially when first planted will help to keep them lush.
Try ferns they thrive in the shade.
I don't know how the hostas would be under the pine in acidic soil. Check that out with your local plant nursery. They do like moist conditions, so unless you watered them they will grow but just grow very slowly.
Have you tried bergenia? It has a thick stem and large leaves with pink flowers stalk in the spring. Bergenia will grow in shade and sun, anywhere. It will fill the area quite nicely and if you need to get rid of it for some reason it is easy to pull out and doesn't have any little runners like goutweed or ferns do. I have been told that it doesn't mind the acidic soil, so that would be something to check at your local plant nursery.
Goutweed will also be an option for you but I don't like it because it is so invasive.
Ferns usually like moist areas, but my grandma did have them growing under an overhang on the north side of her house. They will also fill an area in quite nicely.
Good luck!
Pachysandra is a nice ground cover for shade.
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