I have some pretty deep shade areas of my garden.
I'm not really having trouble with any withering away, but they definitely do not grow with the vigor that the ones that get more sun do.

Some of the hostas that tend to desiccate in spring will prefer deeper shade... again, they're not going grow huge very quickly, but they're certainly ones that will have better looking leaves in deep shade.

I think you can plan on all the hostas growing slower in more shade. I don't think there are any that actually prefer that level of dark, other than the spring dessication problem on Frances Williams and the other variegated sieboldianas - and if I were starting out a garden now, I wouldn't bother with any of those plants anyway. There are so many good ones without the worry of that genetic defect.

I just looked at an Aurora Borealis that is is deep deep shade - after our cold snap, it is a total wreck... don't know why I don't put it out of its misery. This will be a terrible year for that whole family...

So rather than shade tolerance, I'd be looking at a list of the fastest growing hostas, figuring the faster ones will be slower in the shade, but will still be faster than the slower ones in the shade... and I'd look for older, less expensive, tried-and-true varieties in the size and colors you like.

Plants that did well in really deep shade - meaning grew faster than average - include Squash Casserole, Abba Dabba Do, Golden Tiara, Paradigm...

i would move older.. established plants.. into deep shade,.,'

rather than buying a small one.. and hoping it grows with enthusiasm....

so the real question is... what will you buy for the spot you empty .....

now.. where is that post about moving fully leafed out hosta... it was genius, if i say so myself.... lol

ken

I have a bed in very deep shade. The only sun they ever get is at the very end of the day when the sun is setting and can get below the tree branches and then that's only part of it. There are some that never get any sun. Like said, none of them increase very fast. And Ken is right, if I had to do it over, I would plant them elsewhere for a few years and let them grow, or move some large ones into the area. Of those in that bed that did grow reasonably fast were:

Blue Angel
Gold Standard
Undulata Univitta
Blue Cadet
Camelot
Francee
Pearl Lake
Pilgrim
Twilight

Striptease does well for me in deep shade as does Twilight, Stetson, Bressingham Blue and Revolution. I get good color but slow growth with Sagae, Blue Shadow (probably slow no matter where it was) and Whirlwind.

tj

This post is good for me... my new project chimney stone bed is going to be almost to this point of deep shade...like keanaz5a.. it will only get the last 1-2 hours each day.. and thats coming over the rock wall... My other beds are only on their second year(pictures coming soon), and I just worked on getting them situated so I doubt anything will get moved til next year. BUT I've been collecting past HOTY for this new bed... most are mature one eye divisions... been curious how well they will actually grow....probably should start my own thread... but I'll ask this here... what HOTY should I most definately leave out.. I don't have room for them all... I still haven't got my FF and Paradigm yet...but have acquired FB, EA, Sagae, BME, June, PG, Striptease, RS, and SG... curious if I should most definately find somewhere else for these for a season or two...

Thanks for the great info folks! I think I'll try Ken's route of moving some bigger ones over. I didn't even think of that option.

Still taking notes of all the hosta names/suggestions being given.
Gayle

I like to grow....how big is your new bed, because EA & Sagae take up a huge space . I put mine in pots & move them around till I figure out how I want them. Put BME w/ the big boys & now I want to move it . I think you should get Paradigm & maybe put the med.size in one bed & Giants off on their own or mid row w/ the meds & smalls in front. EA is a bit flatter than Sagae. I hope this helps you a bit ,I am no expert .

hostahaveum.. I recently started a thread called "under construction"... shows some pics of my bed...work in progress... was thinking of putting sagae in the back left and EA somewhere up front...