Q: I need some ideas on what to plant in shaded areas. My grass is not doing well and I am thinking of digging it up and replacing it with a large bed area.

A: Changing out grass that is doing poorly because it is in the wrong environment will certainly make things easier for you in the long run. In partial shaded areas consider using hollies, Ajuga, camellias, Glossy Abelia, River Birch or Saucer Magnolia (Magnolia soulangiana), Burning bush (Euonymus fortunei), Live or Laural Oak or Pindo Palms. For areas that receive only filtered light consider using clustering bamboo (never plant the running type), Florida leucothoe (Agarista populifolia), Fatsia, Nandina, Osmanthus, Periwinkle, Beautyberry, Honeysuckle, Red Buckeye or Podocarpus. For more ideas and specific information about growth habits of these plants check out the University of Florida website: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/mg252

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