Planter box

I have a planter box it has brick its in a shady area. I need some advice on plants to put on. Would prefer some colorful plants that will last till fall. zone 8b.

[Newt]

Hi Deb,
Very nice planter box! Do you want perennials or annuals?

Newt

Will im not picky both would be nice. :roll:

[Newt]

Glad you're not picky as that makes it easier. First let me say that it's difficult to have flower color all summer in the shade garden from flowers. The flowers of shade plants tend to bloom more in the spring and then they're gone. With that said, lots of shade plants have pretty colored leaves. Here's some perennials that come to mind.

Hosta - many different sizes and colors
Heuchera - many different colored leaves now. My personal favorite is Huechera 'plum pudding' paried with light green Hosta 'August Moon' and Japanese painted fern.
Ferns - many have lovely leaf shapes and different shades of green

For annuals:
Impatiens - lots of color choices and bloom all summer
Caladium - pretty large leaves with lovely colors
Coleus - lovely leaf color combos possible
Torenia - wishbone flower

Hope this helps,
Newt

[Jeanne]

:D Do you get bright light there? I can see some gorgeous Cannas growing in there..they are tall and bloom alot and will come back year after year..Jeanne