You either put a lot of plants in or your ground is incredibly fertile! It's gorgeous to say the least. I wish that my Japanese Painted ferns looked as good. I think that they don't like out warm winters. And I love that you planted only white astilbe. It really works.
My shade garden progress
I think I have four, maybe five Japanese Painted ferns in that bed that were quite small last year when I bought them...they are really going crazy in there and are engulfing the Love Pat hosta at this point. I know I'll have to thin them out next year for sure. There are three Bridal Veil astilbe, and those put up a lot more blooms this year yet the foliage remained fairly compact- which was a surprise, but it works really well...I'm wondering how much those will expand next year- hopefully not too much!
My Father in Law helped me prepare this bed using some really old compost that he has on his property, and I think he added wood ash, too. He hasn't seen my garden since mid last summer but is coming over tomorrow to look at it, and I can't wait to show him how much things have filled in.
I bet that he'll be thrilled.
You deserve great credit for creating such beautiful settings.
All the areas are cool and peaceful.
I love your pups!
Corinne