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Q. The terrace of our New York apartment faces due north, with almost no direct sun. Impatiens and begonias are the only flowering plants we have found for shade. Can you suggest other ornamentals, flowering or otherwise?

A. Unobstructed north light is usually bright enough for any plant that can thrive in partial shade, and if you include hardy perennials that gives you a long list of choices A collection of ferns could be a beautiful study in greens: some blue, some silvery, some edged in black. For flowers, consider plumelike astilbes, statuesque golden ligularias and - especially if space is tight - small woodland bleeding hearts like Dicentra eximia and D. formosa.

Unlike the larger garden bleeding heart (D. spectabilis), these little pink or white beauties do not go dormant in midsummer. While bloom is most abundant in spring, they flower intermittently well into fall.

Woodland bleeding hearts have fine-textured, blue-green leaves that look best when balanced by something broader. Try heucheras, bergenias or hostas, or mix things up with tropicals like coleus and caladium.

And do not forget the pansy tribe, which includes violets and violas. In a cool, north-facing location, they can bloom all summer. Sources for partial shade perennials include Fieldstone Gardens, (207) 923-3836 or fieldstonegardens.com and Busse Gardens, (800) 544-3192 or bussegardens.com.
from the nyt
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