First post ever in this group! Need some advice from you green thumbs. (Edit w/ result pic) [View all]

[A HERETIC I AM]

Last edited Wed May 15, 2013, 03:36 PM - Edit history (1)

I have the following plot at my front door that I want to add some color to. The photo is looking almost due north, with the house to the right and a tent like carport on the left, so this spot gets VERY little direct sunlight;



The spot is about 2 1/2 feet wide by about 5' long, before it gets under the shrubs at the rear.

What I'm looking for is suggestions for flowers particularly, but saving that (I realize most will need direct sunlight) some colorful plants that will work in this position.

Here's a shot of the walkway and front door, to give you a better idea of the position, again, East is to the right, so this gets shade 90% of the day;



I'm in Jacksonville, FL, so we get a fair amount of rain (It's raining right now) but the other concern I have is the Oak trees overhead do a fair amount of shedding, so whatever I put in there will have to tolerate leaves piling up in the Fall, until I get a chance to clear them. I'm an OTR Car Haul Trucker, so I can't attend to my gardening every day.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.

Edit;

Well, thanks for all the great ideas. Here's what I have so far;



Calladiums and Coleus.
I'm going to let them go for a while and see how they fill out before I add anything else.

I really appreciate the suggestions.