That's a lovely spot you have created. Do you like dicentra (bleeding heart)? I grow white ones but they come in other pretty pink and red colors as well. Also, astilbe, columbine and violas. Maybe snaps. I have tall pink snaps that grow very well under the shade of an Arizona Ash.

Just thought of another one that does well in the shade of that tree - veronica. Lovely purple spikes. The shade from this tree is not overly dense so take that into consideration when choosing shade lovers.

Diana

I was going to suggest astilbe, but Diana took the words out of my mouth. If I remember correctly, Patti is the one who used to grow the most beautiful astilbes, maybe she sees this thread and chimes in.

Eduarda

thanks ladies. I'll be on the lookout for seeds to ws for next year or maybe even a good deal at a local nursery end of season. I actually have some impatiens that I ws this year, I'm thinking of potting them up and adding them now and adding something more permanent next year. It is a small space in comparison to the rest of our yard and we are just about at the end of our spending rope for this gardening season! lol!

Planting beneath trees can be a tricky business with moisture competition from tree roots things tend to dry out quickly. I'd add plenty of compost or organic matter to your bed. Maybe add some spring bulbs too.

Libby

If your DH can rig a faucet with a hose bib at the bottom of the pipe -- or a hardware store can do it for you,
you can have dripping water fresh for the birds at all times until freezing weather.
The overflow will keep your impatiens and all watered.

When freezes come, I carry water in my watering can to the bird baths -- birds get really demanding.
Nell

We have used an electric bird bath heater every winter successfully for years (even when we lived in South Dakota!). The heater cost under $15 (even now) and we've had the same one for 20+ years! What a great investment.

Kathy

Maybe a pot with annuals would be the easiest if there are many tree roots...tho that is an expense every year..but you could fill it by seed, rather that plants...what about coleus?

What a cute little place you have there! The birds will be thrilled that you put the birdbath there. I like the thought of astilbe or bleeding hearts.

I feel like a broken record, but I cannot stress enough how wonderful daylilies are for shade. I had about thirty in deep shade and they all bloomed beautifully. I miss them!

Definitely try bleeding heart like Diana suggested. There are so many different kinds of ferns you could plant there. Also heucherellas, daffs for spring color (they will bloom later and there will be fewer flowers, but still a nice addition), and lily of the valley for spring flowers and for a nice ground cover.

You've created such a lovely area there. I hope you'll post photos as it fills in.

Tracy

If you want to keep the bed very naturalistic, I would suggest checking into native shrubs and flowers that are recommended for birds. That should keep it very low maintenance and yet do the thing you want it to do.

I love the spot.

What a pretty area you have there! I don't know how autumn fern does for you, but it's been a real winner in my woodland shade garden. Plus, it's an evergreen fern. That makes it doubly nice!

The area behind my house is one of my favorite places to garden. There are lots of oaks, sweetgums, dogwoods, and a few pines. We're working on making a woodland garden with winding paths throughout it. It's so peaceful to have a morning cup of coffee and a stroll through the garden. Some plants that we have there and that have done well for us are: columbine, astilbe, dwarf pieris japonica, autumn fern, japanese painted fern, azaleas, strawberry begonia, hydrangeas, asiatic lilies, daylilies, hosta, fothergilla, daphne, foam flower, oakleaf hydrangeas, red buckeye, bottlebrush buckeye, anise, native azaleas, sweet woodruff....hmmm...I feel like the winning actress at an academy awards show...afraid I'll forget to mention one of my plants!

What a sweet area for you and your feathered friends. I can't wait to see what you end up with here. It will be lovely whatever you do.

FlowerLady