Shade planting

Well, it is raining again! The plants love it even if it is such a deluge that it is beating them down! My apple tree is drooped right over. Poor baby.
My hostas in the shade, however, are loving it. They are enormous. I tend to plant the largest specimen that I can find because I adore the rippling texture and different shades of green. I have planted Sum and Substance, Sieboldiana, Blessingham Blue and Big Daddy. Honestly, I buy whatever is the biggest. Over the last few years, it has been easier to find the large hostas. Even 3 years ago, I had to search everywhere. It may be because I am not an early riser if I can help it. I love the ridges, veins and lime green to blue green colours. Here are some pictures. Look carefully and you will see the raindrops.

In the photo below, the smaller one is a newer plant. I planted it last year and it wasn't happy as there was too much sunshine. Go figure.

The following picture is from the same shade area as yesterdays post on bloodroot. Just look at the green, blue green and lime green. True artwork.

 I have one more picture of hostas in pots. 3 pots. They, too, are spectacular. The shape and texture. Oh my...

I also have some hostas that I am not crazy about. They make me snarly and somewhat unsatisfied. They fade into the background, fill spaces and are not glorious. Not in my eyes. They are pretty and easy. Apparently, not my style. 

 HO Hum. BLAH. Pretty but......life is too short. Or maybe my garden is too small? hmm....

Fabulous shade plants

If your garden is like mine then you will likely have a few shady spots. When I first started building my garden, I found these hard to deal with. It depends on your style. Personally, I like big, bold and beautiful plants. I have a damp, shady spot that is absolutely stunning because of the texture, size, form and greens of the shade plants. There are 3 enormous hostas, all with different leaves, colours and textures, white astilbe, a sweet box, 2 white rhodos, hellebores,  bloodroot and blue corydalis. There is also a jurassic sized fern that just grew there!
The bloodroot is unbelievable. In the spring it pops up white lotus-like flowers for a day or so. They are magical. As soon as they are gone the leaves increase in size and are simply stunning. I am as interested in leaves, shapes and textures as I am in flowers. Flowers are more fleeting. The first picture was taken in early April and the second on June 22nd. Crazy beautiful.

RAIN,Rain,rain

Apparently, even in North Vancouver, you can't depend on a solid rain. Watering is an hour long production which the weather is messing up. A drizzle doesn't cut it when you have a garden full of hydrangea, rhodos and hostas. I cover my garden with bags of peat moss every year to help with the retention of water but  still have to water. It has come to my attention that there are other options out there that do not deplete peat bogs. I will look into it and let you know what I find. Coconut comes to mind.
I hand water everything. I do not use a sprinkler as I can't imagine getting up at the crack of dawn to meet the water restrictions. My lawn is ignored except for cutting and re-seeding.
Gardens cost a lot of money and if you don't water them your investment is gone. There are lots of options for watering. Drip hoses, timers, sprinkler systems are just some. It depends what you want to spend and maybe the purpose of your garden. I talk and stroke my plants when I am out there. Watering gives me an hour to myself to enjoy the beauty of it all. It is my joy...just for me.
Of course plant selection can cut down on your watering. Lavender, thistle, and Russian sage are drought resistant and gorgeous in the right location. If I plant something where it does not thrive...I move it. No fuss and no babying.