Columbines? Coleus? I think both those do okay in mostly shade.

Heuchera goes well with hosta. If I think of other shade plants, I'll post again.

While you're brainstorming, I need some for 1 gallon pots for a nice twisty and decorative iron stairstep plant stand I have. There are only a couple places where it would be stable and out of the way, one in part shade and one in almost total shade.

I thought of coleus, was looking at some seeds, but don't like "mixtures", can get anything. But neither do I want to buy them. Also impatiens and begonias, never had much luck with begonias.

You could consider getting one of those double shepherd's hook stakes, and hang two pots of something on it, a couple people around here grow just in the situation you mention, and it's lovely. I haven't looked closely enough to determine all the plants used other than hosta and huechera.

Oh, I bought it, but fuschia does well in a lot of shade, could hang that on a shepherd's hook to add some interest.

Digitalis is great wintersown. It likes shade but will tolerate some sun. How long will it be in hot afternoon sun? An hour? Six hours?
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Purple coneflower (echinacea) can do well with surprisingly few hours of sun.

And I love coleus. Have you seen the now versa series coleus? Growers boast "First sun-tolerant coleus from seed."

Karen

Heuchera! And Coleus! Of course! The digitalis looks fun too!

The sun sneaks into the bed in the late afternoon for no more than 2 1/2 hours at the summer solstice.

Any recommendations on where to buy seeds for any of these options?

Astilbe's do well with limited sun and so does Jacob's Ladder. Of course they are the dicentras which are beautiful in spring, and the less invasive varieties of Lamium. I have some areas with Ajuga, but you have to watch that, and Pulmonaria puts on a good show in spring.

Solomon's seal does well in dry shade here. But I've never grown it from seed. I accidentally dug up a single tuber from my grandmother's house while digging daffodil bulbs, and the Solomon's seal has multiplied nicely ever since. It does set seeds, though. Hmm...maybe I should start collecting them.

kt

Samantha, you might read through this article from Tony Avent, he's right in your neck of the woods. I'm not necessarily saying buy the plants but for ideas on what types seed to look for.

If you don't find seeds for something special, buy one plant and later harvest your own to increase your plant material. If you do give in and order something as I occasionally do from clear across country, be assured you will find something healthy and well grown in your box when delivered. Or are you close enough to visit the display gardens at some point, notepad and pen in hand?

Here is a link that might be useful: Tony Avent - Shade

Skull cap, violets and columbines do very well around my maple trees in a similar situation. I use the gold acre sedum as a ground cover and have quite a few daffodils under all that for the spring too.

Post a trade list and trade for the seeds you want. You can post on the seed exchange or the Winter Sowing exchange.

Becky