One of the most common questions I am asked is 'What plant can I get that flowers in full shade?'. Ok, rule of thumb, if you have shady areas then dont expect flowers. Flowers require alot of energy and in dark areas the poor plant doesnt get enough light (read 'energy') to flower. Same if you have plants with variegation (coloured patches in the leaves), over time the plant will try to revert back to being green. The reason for that is green = chlorophyl, aka the part of the plant that makes food from light. So where you have white/red/yellow/colour that isnt green on a leaf, that part of the plant cant make food. When there is little light to begin with, the poor plant needs to compensate for this. The plant in the pictures is called a Clivea. It it the exception to this rule and I cant stop singing its praise. They are slow growing and very hardy once established. Just dont plant them in direct sunlight, they are designed to live in the shade. They also flower in full shade!!!!! Awesome plants! Its biggest draw back is its cost, they are bloody expensive, but if you can get hold of one they certainly are very rewarding.
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