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What to plant in dry shade is often a question for gardeners in mediterranean climates. Our preconceived idea of a shady garden usually includes moist soil and a mossy, ferny, damp effect. But mediterranean climate regions, there are many species that have adapted to the shade of taller species, that are not only required to deal with summer drought but also competition from the extensive root systems of their larger couterparts.

  plants by cultural needs/tolerances
dry shade

Acanthus mollis
    Bear's Breech
  A. spinosissimus
Aechmea sp.
Anemone xhybridum
    Japanese Anemone
Anomatheca (Lapeirousia) laxa (cruenta)
Artemisia stellerana
    Beach Wormwood, Dusty Miller
Arum italicum
    Lords and Ladies, Cookoo Pint
Aspidistra elatior
    Cast Iron Plant
Aucuba japonica
Begonia evansii
Bergenia (various)
Billbergia nutans
    Queen's Tears
Calycanthus occidentalis
    Western Spice Buch
Camellia japonica
    Camellia
Cantua buxifolia
Carex tumulicola
Carpenteria californica
    Bush Anemone, Carpenteria
Cheilanthus hirta
    South African Lip Fern
Chlorophytum comosum
    Spider Plant, South African Hens and Chicks
  C. c. 'Vittatum'
    Variegated Spider Plant
Clivia miniata
    Bush Lily, Fire Lily, Clivia
  C. nobilis
Collinsia heterophylla (bicolor)
    Chinese Houses
Coprosma repens
    Mirror Bush
  C. kirkii
Cordyline indivisa
    Blue Dracaena
  C. stricta
Crassula multicava
    Fairy Crassula
Crinum moorei
    Crinum Lily
Cyclamen hederifolium
Daphne ordora
Dianella sp.
Diplacus (Mimulus) species & hybrids
    California Monkeyflower
Dizygotheca elegantissima
    Thread-Leaf False Aralia
Echeveria (various)
    Hens & Chicks
Echium pininana
    Tower of Jewels
Endymion hispanicus (Scilla campanulata)
    Wood Hyacinth, Spanish Bluebell
Epidendrum ibaguense (radicans)
    Reed-Stemmed Orchids
Euonymus fortunei (E. radicans acuta) (various forms)
Euphorbia amygdaloides robbiae
    Wood Spurge
xFatshedera lizei
    Bi-generic cross between Hedera & Fatsia
Fatsia Japonica
    Japanese Aralia
Ficus pumila (repens)
    Creeping Fig
Francoa ramosa
    Maiden's Wreath
Galium odoratum
    Sweet Woodruff
Galvezia speciosa
    Catalina Island Bush Snapdragon
Garrya elliptica
    Coast Silktassel
Gasteria (various)
Geranium canariense
  G. macrorrhizum
  G. maderense
  G. palmatum
Griselinia littoralis
  G. lucida
Hedera helix (various)
    English Ivy
Helichrysum petiolare (Gnaphalium lanatum)
Helleborus (various)
    Christmas Rose
Heuchera (various)
    Coral Bells
Holodiscus discolor
    Cream Bush, Ocean Spray
Homalocladium platycladum
    Ribbon Bush, Tapeworm Plant, Centipede Plant
Hydrangea quercifolia
    Oakleaf Hydrangea
Iris foetidissima
    Gladwin Iris
  I. japonica
  I. - Pacific Coast Hybrids
Kerria Japonica (single & double forms)
Lamiastrum galeobdolan 'Variegatum'
    Yellow Archangel
Laurus nobilis
    Bay Tree
Ledebouria socialis (Scilla violacea)
    Silver Squill
Leymus condensatus 'Canyon Prince'
Liriope (various)
    Lily Turf
Lithocarpus densiflorus
    Tanbark Oak
Lunaria annua (white, purple, and variegated forms)
    Honesty, Money Plant
Mahonia (various)
    Oregon Grape
Melissa officinalis
    Lemon Balm, Sweet Balm
Myrsiphyllum (Asparagus) asparagoides
    Cape Smilax, Baby Smilax
Myrtus communis
    True Myrtle
Nandina domestica
    Heavenly Bamboo, Nandina
Nephrolepis cordifolia
    Southern Sword Fern
Ochna serrulata (multiflora)
    Bird's-Eye Bush, Mickey Mouse Plant
Ophiopogon (various)
    Lily Turf
Osmanthus (Siphonosmanthus) delavayi
    Delavay Osmanthus
Oxalis oregana
    Wood Sorrel
Pelargonium tomentosum
    Peppermint-Scented Geranium
Pellaea calomelanos
    South African Blue Rock Fern
Pericallis x hybrida
    Cineraria
Phaiophelps nigricans (Sisyrinchium striatum)
Philodendron selloum
Plectranthus sp.
Protoasparagus (Asparagus) densiflorus
    Asparagus Fern, Emerald Fern
  P. d. 'Meyersii'
    Foxtail Fern, Cat-Tail Asparagus
  P. plumosus
    Asparagus Fern
Ribes viburnifolium
    Catalina Perfume, Evergreen Currant
Roldana petasitis
    California Geranium
Rumohra adiantiformis
    Leatherleaf Fern
Ruscus aculeatus
    Butcher's Broom
  R. hypoglossum
    Butcher's Broom
Sarcococca ruscifolia
Sparrmannia africana
    Cape Stock-Rose, African Linden
Strelitzia nicolai
    Bird-of-Paradise Tree
Symphoricarpos (various)
    Snowberry
Symphytum grandiflorum
    Creeping Comfrey
Tiarella (various)
    Foam Flower
Tolmiea menziesii
    Piggy-Back Plant
Trillium (various)
Umbellularia californica
    California Bay Tree
Viola labradorica
    Labrador Violet
  V. ordorata
    Sweet Violet
Zantedeschia aethiopica
    Calla Lily

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