Gerbera daisies grown in clay pots have proven capable of blooming in the shade. Their fluorescent colors are welcome in the garden. They are sensitive to dry soil and must be kept moist in order to thrive. Although I've grown them from seed, due to the cost of the seed, poor germination and length of growing season before flowering, I've decided it doesn't cost any more to buy them at a local garden center since I only need a few plants. They are often available for $1 if you wait until mid June or early July to make the purchase. In southern states, they are perennials, however, here in the north, I have to treat them as annuals. If you would like to learn more about their care and cultivation, check the sources listed here.

Pelargoniums (called Geraniums in the United States) grown in clay pots will do well even on the north side. They may not flower as abundantly as they would in full sun but I do get flowers. Pelargoniums are good plants to winter over inside. They need to dry out between waterings or their stems will rot. Other than the watering consideration, these plants are easy to take care of. Just pluck off the dead flowers and then will bloom right up until a heavy frost.

Vinca (both annual and tender perennials) succeeds well in containers but fails in the garden bed. This plant is shade tolerant but is very sensitive to wet soil. Since I have solid clay under my good soil, a week of rain or too much watering quickly kills any vinca in the garden plot. I love these plants so I grow them in clay containers which guarantees they have the well drained soil needed for good flowering. This plant is often called a perennial, but in the north it is best to treat it as an annual since it rarely makes it through the winter.

You'll always find patches of Johnny Jump-Ups (violas), pansies, coleus, and polka dot plant (Hypoestes) scattered through the garden. They are good front of border plants or in containers. All flower freely in the shade. They are not showy enough to serve as focus spots. I primarily use them in containers to place where I need just a touch of color.

I often grow a Buddleia bush (also called butterfly bush or summer lilac) in a large container. This shrub is cut back to the first 12 inches each year because it blooms only on new wood. I learned a hard lesson the first year I grew them -- if I cut them back in the fall, they die. If I leave them through the winter, and cut them back in the spring, they survive the coldest winters. I've even noticed that they grow some very furry looking tiny leaves in late fall. I call these their winter clothes. Flowers start opening in late July. Butterflies seem to find it the minute the first flower opens.