We have a patio which is covered by 70% shadecloth along the West side of our house. It is about 10 metres long and we would like suggestions of plants which would provide some display all year round. Could be flowering but foliage at least. We have a Dipladenia which is good but some other species are wanted. They would get sun after noon for a few hours and are sheltered from wind. Thanks for any help. John
Try Impatiens, John, the New Guinea varieties - they will take sun but also grow well in the shade.
This variety has fabulous foliage that is deeply veined, velvety and richly coloured but even better flowers - almost flourescent at times.
Best of all they just keep on blooming.
Watch out for caterpillars though - they are very tasty to some of them at certain times of the year.
If you want some contrasting foliage then Elephant's Ears (Alocasia cuprea) grow quickly - there's also a more colourful type - Caladium bicolour that has pink veining and looks great.
And then there's the lovely Fuchsia magellanica (see below) which can take a few hours of direct sun a day. They won't flower over winter but from September through to March is a pretty good compromise to make.