If your garden needs a hike , try these two combos : They show off Hosta and other shadiness - loving companion beautifully .
Bruce and Linda Christensen know how to compose a view . That ’s because they ’ve had almost 25 age to get it proper . “ We purchase this dimension principally because of the potential for a garden , ” says Bruce of their ½-acre suburban plot of ground in Middleton , Wisconsin . And now they have a verdant view out the back window that looks like a well - composed work of art . gibe out some of their just plant combination — all featuring various Hosta — that are all part of the bread and butter body of work of art they call their backyard .
Garden Gate ’s 12 Best HostasVibrant Shade Garden Plant CombinationsShade Garden MakeoverTry Ferns in Your Container GardenCommon Hosta problem
Add a tropical pop of color to your shade garden
Everybody has that leave out spot in the subtlety that necessitate a horticultural display to carry it through the time of year . Ahanging basketor elevated container of an yearbook like the purple buff blossom on the pedestal will require no deadheading and will bloom its head off until frost . Consider tint - screw annuals like coleus in containers to really fill in those gaps and elevate the ordinary to something special .
A ) Smooth hydrangea(Hydrangea arborescens)TypePerennialBloomsLarge pompons of creamy peak ( they come forth green ) in late spring and throughout summerLightPart shadeSize3 to 5 foot . magniloquent and wideHardinessCold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9
B ) Hosta(Hosta‘El Niño’)TypePerennialFoliageHeart - shaped pulverisation - blue leaf with streaky white marginsLightPart Dominicus to full shadeSize12 to 18 in . tall , 28 to 36 in . wideHardinessCold hardy in USDA zone 3 to 9
C ) Dwarf lady fern(Athyrium filix - femina‘Minutissima’)TypePerennialFoliageArching light green fronds form a blanket clumpLightPart to full shadeSize6 to 12 in . tall , 12 to 18 in . wideHardinessCold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8
D ) Coleus(Plectranthus scutellarioides‘Peter ’s Wonder’)TypeTender perennial ( unremarkably grown as an annual)FoliageToothed leaves in an array of abstruse violet , green and yellowLightFull sun to part shadeSize18 to 24 in . tall and wideHardinessCold hardy in USDA zones 10 to 11
due east ) Fanflower(Scaevola aemula)TypeTender perennial ( usually grown as an annual)BloomsDark blue to purple fan - regulate blossoms on trailing stems throughout summer to frostLightFull sun to part shadeSize9 to 18 in . tall , 12 to 24 in . wideHardinessCold brave in USDA zones 10 to 11
F ) Bowles aureate sedge(Carex elata‘Aurea’)TypePerennialFoliageShimmering pea green grasslike leaves forge dense clumpsLightPart to full shadeSize18 to 30 in . tall and wideHardinessCold audacious in USDA zones 5 to 9
Add color to shade with foliage
By summer , plant compositions in the shadowiness garden often primarily consist of leafage . meld different shades of green — from lustrous pea green to dark Burgundy wine — to create lively combinations that are both visually stimulating and eye - enchant .
A ) Hosta(Hosta‘Inniswood’)TypePerennialBloomsLavender flowers in summertime above large , puckered , chartreuse to yellow leaves with a narrow deep green marginLightPart sun to full shadeSize2 to 3 ft . improbable , 2 to 4 ft . wideHardinessCold intrepid in USDA zones 3 to 8
B ) Hosta(Hosta‘Guardian Angel’)TypePerennialBloomsPurple flowers in summer above large ruffled dreary - green leave with a stir of ivory down the centerLightPart sun to full shadeSize18 to 24 in . tall , 36 to 48 in . wideHardinessCold hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9
speed of light ) Coral bells(Heuchera‘Southern Comfort’)TypePerennialBloomsCreamy dainty spikes of clean flowers in summer above cinnamon - peach to burnished copper leavesLightFull sun to part shadeSize12 to 18 in . tall , 18 to 24 in . wideHardinessCold sturdy in USDA zones 4 to 9
D ) Japanese paint fern(Athyrium‘Ghost’)TypePerennialFoliageSilver - greenish frond with deep purple midribsLightPart to full shadeSize18 to 24 in . tall , 15 to 18 in . wideHardinessCold sturdy in USDA zones 4 to 9
E ) Coral bells(Heuchera‘Black Out’)TypePerennialBloomsIvory - white peak in other summertime above shiny fusain - black green leavesLightFull sun to part shadeSize6 to 9 in . tall , 9 to 12 in . wideHardinessCold hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9
