Hello and welcome! I'm guessing that you are interested in hostas.... and have shade....?

If you are looking for overall design ideas and inspiration, you may want to visit the landscaping forum here on GW - chock full of info! :)

Good luck and feel free to ask some specific questions if we can be of assistance!

Andrea

Wow! The possibilities that lay ahead for you!

Do you have a plan in mind? Different plants have different requirements.

If you are interested in Hostas, here is the link to the Hosta Library. Lots of lovely photos, but keep in mind many of these are not available at the retail level.

Join in, ask questions and we'll all be glad to help you along!

Janet

Here is a link that might be useful: Hosta Library

Sweet - your home page does not say where you live or what zone. That makes a huge difference. I'm in zone 4 - Minnesota - and I have many hosta that are in full sun.

Please provide more info. Do you have a digital camera and you could post photos of the yard?

You've come to the right place and will get lots of help from friendly folks here!

Teresa

Welcome!

We would all be hapy to give you suggestions - and if you don't have enough shade yet, Ken the Enabler will be happy to suggest 5 or 10 trees that you will NOT be able to say no to and you will be well on your way to a lovely shade garden!

Glad to have you on board, and yes, if you can post photos that would be great!

Alexa

Re: Alexa's comment on Ken and trees - VERY TRUE! lol The best part is they will be cool and unusual ones - not run of the mill poor performers!

I live in Michigan and have a yard that is half sun and half shade. I have two large trees with full shade in that area where I think hostas would do good, but also have full sun areas.

I am so new to this site and also new to gardening that I didn't know to put down my zone or shade or sun light. This is an addition to my first posting. Thank You all for your help. You have been wonderful.

Welcome Sweet. You'll get lots of help here. Hope you've been saving your pennies - 'cause if you get bitten by Hosta fever and become a Hostaholic (like most here) you're going to need them. Many of us grow Hosta in shade, part shade and full sun - some types do better than others. Browse through the pages of posts for a wonderful education in gardening with hostas.

Happy gardening.

June

what are the two big trees .. and what is your soil ...

do you picture download capability?

ken

Welcome aboard! A lot of people here ready and willing to help you get started. You may go to my hosta website by clicking the link below.

Papou

Here is a link that might be useful: Papou's Hosta Collection

Sorry...try this link....

Here is a link that might be useful: Papou's Hosta Website

This is sweetalysiss again I want to thank you all for the response. Ken I have a big tall Blue Spruce about 30 ft tall in my yard, along with a White Birch. About my soil I am a newbie all I can say is its dirt and its black and things grow in it. Never had it tested. Papou, I may go broke after seeing your collection of hostas, and also, all your gardens. They take your breath away. I thought I had the gardening bug before, but now I know I do. My first encounter with a hosta was a Savananh Hosta. The smell was wonderful. It was like magnolias. I am waiting to try to find one this summer to purchase, but you are right they are expensive. I should of started all this while I was working, but didn't have time then. I want to thank you all again and will be checking and asking advice again. Thanks so much for being so patient with a newbie sweetalysiss

1. Call your public library and ask for the reference desk. Then ask them if they can put you in touch with the state's local "agricultural extension service," which might test your soil for free.

2. Most hostas don't hvae much scent, but just ask here and peopel will give you a list.

3. You've given me a terrible case of tree envy. My neighbors cut down their three white birches, and my own blue spruce is dying. :(

4. Nice to meetcha!