If you think you can't garden in the shade, check out this garden

When I first moved into my house almost 10 years ago I had big plans for all kinds of flower gardens.  We bought our house in February and the yard was always full of sunlight.  It wasn't until spring arrived that I realized all of the maples in my yard would leaf out and my yard was full of shade.  I struggled with the idea of shade gardening until one day I happened upon a garden set in the woods of upper Wisconsin.  It was there that I realized that you could have beautiful gardens, even if you have full shade.  This weekend I had the opportunity to revisit the garden that inspired me, and I took pictures for all of you who don't believe you can garden in the shade.

A sense of tranquility washes over you when you walk through Cathy's wooded garden.  Water features lace the gardens, along with treasures from her various trips around the world.

Shade Plant of the Week - Martagon Lilies

Martagon lilies are a species of wild lilies that can grow in the shady garden.  They add height and color to the garden.  Martagon lilies do not like to be disturbed, so if you dig them up or plant them for a first time you may not see them again for another year (or two).  The flowers themselves are small and downward facing, but an established plant can have up to 50 or more flowers.   They come in a variety of colors: yellow, red, orange, white, and pink.

'Mrs. R. O. Backhouse' Martagon Lily from my garden

'Claude Shride' martagon lily from Woodland Gardens

Hosta of the Day - 'Orange Marmalade'

Hosta 'Orange Marmalade' is a sport of hosta 'Paul's Glory' from Bob Solberg of Green Hill Farm.  It has dark green edges and emerges with bright gold (almost orangish) in spring.  The center fades to almost bright white by fall depending on sun exposure.  Pair this one with green, gold, or blue hostas.

Hosta 'Orange Marmalade' 2009 mid-summer when gold center starts to fade to white.

Hosta 'Orange Marmalade' Spring 2012

Hosta of the Day - 'On Stage'

The picture of hosta 'On Stage' posted below was taken in late summer, after it's beautiful spring coloring had disappeared.  When 'On Stage' first emerges the off white center you see below is actually gold.  This is usually one of the last hostas to actually emerge in my garden, and it's also been a very slow growing hosta.  However, I have seen very mature 'On Stage' hostas and know the painfully slow growth rate is sooo worth it!  To prevent the color from washing out quickly, place this hosta in a place where it will only receive morning sun.  Pair this one with green, blue, gold, or other variegated hostas.

Shade Plant of the Week - Pulmonaria

Pulmonaria is an early spring blooming plant that is also known as lungwort.  It is closely related to borage.  The leaves range from solid green, to spotted, to silver colored.  The flowers range from blue, pink, or purple.  Many of the plants, like the one below, will have flowers that start off as one color and change as they bloom and fade.  The leaves have a somewhat fuzzy texture to them, which is why I think the deer will not eat it.

Shade Plant of the Week - Dicentra or Bleeding Heart

I can remember as child looking forward to our neighbor's bleeding hearts blooming.  It was a little miracle to me that a plant could actually flower hearts.  In fact, I still think it is miracle.  There are many different varieties of Dicentra.  The old fashioned bleeding heart (dicentra spectabilis) blooms in spring, and then depending on the light and water in your yard can die off in July to return the following spring.  I have never had mine die off, and it's even on a pretty sunny corner.  However, the one I had in my previous yard would die off in mid-summer.  The fringed bleeding heart blooms intermittently from spring through fall.  Whereas the old fashioned format is tall (12-30"), the fringed bleeding heart grows to only 12-18" with light feathery foliage.  

DICENTRA spectabilis - BLEEDING HEARTS

Dicentra spectabilis 'Gold Heart'

Dicentra eximia Fringed Bleeding Hearts

Hosta of the Day - 'Love Pat'

If you don't have room for the hosta 'Abiqua Drinking Gourd' which can get quite large, but love the large blue cupped leaves....then a slightly smaller look-a-like hosta would be 'Love Pat'.  It has blue chalky leaves that form upright cupped leaves.  The leaves are very thick and corrugated, which makes them more slug resistant.  Pair this hosta with gold or green hostas to bring out it's beautiful blue color.

Shade Plant of the Week - Astilboides tabularis

I obviously have an obsession with foliage, how else could you explain my hosta obsession?  So when I saw this plant in a catalog many years ago I was automatically drawn to it's very large circular shaped leaves, almost like green umbrellas.  I didn't even care if it bloomed, I knew it would make a great addition to my shade garden.  The leaves can measure 24 inches across, and the plant itself can grow 3-4 feet tall.  In mid summer, it also has white plume like flowers (much like and Astilbe).  If you decide to add this plant to your garden, make sure to give it lots of room!

Not the best pictures, but it's the very large circle leaf plant

Shade Plant of the Week - Ligularia

I really love Ligularia!  It is a great addition to any shade garden.  Varieties such as 'Desdemona' and 'Britt Marie Crawford' have large waxy leaves that are lily pad shaped.  The leaves are often green colored on top with reddish undersides.  Other varieties such as 'Japonica', 'Rocket', and 'Dragon's Breath' have more feathery shaped leaves.  The plants are usually quite large and showy, no matter what the variety.  Though there is also miniature varieties out there, such as Ligularia Osiris Fantaisie.  Ligularia is not for the dry shade garden, as it is a water loving plant.  If you plant it in dry shade, be prepared to water it quite often.  The foliage on these plants is great, but a welcome surprise in fall is their yellow daisy like flowers.  Lots of new varieties of Ligularia have come out in the past several years, so be on the look out as it gains popularity!

Ligularia 'Othello'

Ligularia 'Desdemona'

Blooms on Ligularia 'Japonica'

Blooms on Ligularia 'Desdemona'

Ligularia 'Japonica'

Ligularia Osiris Fantaisie (much smaller then other Ligularia)

Ligularia 'Britt Marie Crawford'

Hosta of the Day - 'Ice Age Trail'

Hosta 'Ice Age Trail' is a streaked hosta.   Streaked hostas have irregular color patterns in their leaves.  The coloring is very unstable, and usually every leaf will look different.  Streaked hostas are highly sought after in the hosta world for their unusual coloring and breeding characteristics.  Streaked hostas seeds have a higher percentage of creating streaked or variegated seedlings then other hostas.  However, because they are unstable in coloring a lot of streaked hostas will eventually revert back to an all solid color.  Hosta 'Ice Age Trails' has blue leaves with cream and white streaking.  It's leaves are very textured and corrugated.  Although it's parent is hosta 'Big Daddy', this plant is medium in size and a very slow grower from my experience.

Hosta 'Ice Age Trail' 2009

Hosta 'Ice Age Trail' 2011

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Hosta of the Day - 'Inniswood'

Today's hosta is another one that only gets better with time.  Hosta 'Inniswood' has bright gold leaves with dark green margins.  As this plant matures the leaves become more and more corrugated.  It definitely adds brightness to a shady garden!  To bring out its color even more pair it with blue colored (mine is next to June), lighter green, and white margined hostas.

Hosta 'Inniswood' 2009

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Hosta 'Inniswood' 2011

Hosta of the Day - 'Hippodrome'

Hosta 'Hippodrome' has been another fast grower for me.  It's listed as a medium sized hosta, but I would probably put it medium/large in size.  It has blue/green leaves with a thin cream margin.  As the hosta matures the edges of the leaves become more rippled.  It was one I wasn't sure of when I first planted it, but it has really impressed me in the short time I have had it.

Hosta 'Hippodrome' 2009

Hosta 'Hippodrome' 2011

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Hosta of the Day - 'Hope'

Today's hosta is another miniature hosta.  Hosta 'Hope' has green leaves with a gold margin.  'Hope' can grow to be about 8" wide, and has very cute round leaves and forms a very nice mound.  It's a little hosta that packs a lot of color.  Because of it's size, it's best to put this little guy in the front border so it can be easily seen.  It would also be great in a miniature garden.

Hosta 'Hope' 2009

Hosta 'Hope' 2011

Hosta of the Day - 'Harpoon'

If you are looking for a very fast growing, then look no further then the hosta 'Harpoon'.  'Harpoon' has long, narrow leaves that are very glossy.  The leaves are green with a gold border in spring that turns cream later in the season.  I think I have divided mine at least two or three times since I first bought it, as it grows that fast.  I put it in a space for a small to medium hosta, and it keeps outgrowing that spot.  Pair it with dull blue hostas to bring out glossy leaves, or pair it chartreuse colored hostas.

Hosta 'Harpoon' 2009

Hosta 'Harpoon' 2011

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