what should we do here?

Right now it's really ugly pachysandra that survived an onslaught of Brush B Gone that was used to try and alleviate nasty thistles... it faces North and is much shaded... soil is acidic because of the pine trees in our neighbors' yard...

Janiejoy, I am sitting here waiting for suggestions for your site cuz mine is so similar.

we are thinking of just grass but to me of course that is boooorrrrrriiiiinnnnnngggggg!

Janie, can you give some info about the lighting? It looks shady by the foundation but does it stay that way most of the day? If you were going to do a bed, how big? Right off, I think I would suggest some nice Rhododendrons or maybe Azleas depending on the sun/shade. Hosta would be another easy choice and it looks like there are already some by the fence. Some other favorites of mine-Astilbe, Aruncus, Nicotiana,etc. Do you have any ideas?

A nice selection of hostas would be neat. There are so many different ones available now, they really make a colorful garden.

a few daffodils for the spring, hostas and/or how about a few asiatic or oriental lilies?

I am thinking of hostas too - they also will hold the soil near the house so it doesn't wash away. However, they tried Hostas before and they sort of didn't take under the soffit...? Perhaps they over mulched - there is cedar mulch there under the dying pachysandra.

What about hellebores? And Arum italicum 'Pictum". If the shade isn't too deep primroses, astilbes, and hydrangeas would be nice. Thalictrum rochebrunianum gets about 5-6 feet tall and is very airy and delicate. Also bleeding heart, and corydalis.

mmmm it's sounding pretty now!

Just looked at Doris' shade garden and saw... FERNS! Of course I need ferns! DUH

Some of the hardy geraniums are evergreen, and thrive in shade. They would look gorgeous under your shrubs, especially the ones with colorful winter foliage.

I think you could get away with a nice Hydrangea or a couple of Azaleas there, or even both, then border the front with Aquilegias, Astilbe, Fuchsias, Gaillardia Kobold (small blanket flower),and some wee daffodils and snowdrops for the spring.
Between the Hydrangea and the Azaleas, I would plant some oriental Lilies for that wonderful Lily fragrance in the summer.

*2 cents worth*

*rave over* ;-)


Wintermoor