Shade Gardening: Need ideas for a shady bed, 1 by Noreaster

Noreaster wrote:
Doss, thank you for saying so. I worked on it all weekend, pretty much. Have to enjoy it now while the mosquitos aren't too bad. When they arrive I'll no doubt be enjoying my new garden from my bedroom window only, lol.

The blue hosta is Big Daddy. Sounds...big, lol. I looked it up and am finiding conflicting info about the size. I've seen 36-60 inches wide. I had a heart attack when I went over to my inlaws house and noticed their GIGANTIC blue hostas. They must have been 5-6 feet wide with leaves like elephant ears. They don't remember the name, but I'm thinking they might be Blue Mammoth? At any rate, I want something blue and biggish in there, just not enormous. I don't think I want the gigantic elephant ear leaves, either. I like the puckered, cupped look. So if you can think of another one that would suit, let me know. We have three Regal Splendors growing along the side of the house that we planted last summer that are quite big this year. The bed we made for them I believe is too narrow and those should really be replaced with a more compact hosta. I might think about moving those to this area. A blue hosta would look great by the maple since there is lots of room and shade. Yeah, the whole yard has plenty of shade and places to move things to, if need be.

Here is a pic of the other corner of the yard that I'll work on, eventually. Where the rock sits is all lily of the valley. I'm planning on doing a mass planting of ferns to the left of that. Behind the LOTV is another interesting rocky ledge.

And this thread has been very helpful, so thank you very much!