I would suggest that you stage the hosta with larger plants in back cascading to smaller. If you group similar hosta together whether green, blue or variegated they will blend together. Any contrasting hosta will stand out as a specimen. Lay out your design based on mature size and decide if you prefer a cascading effect where leaves touch or overlap each other or you prefer to have each hosta stand alone displaying its full form.

Personally I like a border utilizing a smaller variegated hosta and alternating with Hakonechloa grass or something that contrasts with the texture of hosta leaves as your Japanese (Painted?) Fern will.

Gold hostas will grow in shade and shade will accentuate color as more chlorophyll is produced in shade. This all depends on what you mean by shade, nothing grows in total shade.

Get the big guys in the back, pick a few that you want to stand out and keep a balance. Be aware of the mature size for starters. Color draws attention and a selection of 'matching tones' whether green blue or variegated would end up bland. Decide where you want the eye to focus in on and place a gold or contrasting plant there. Having everything match will cause the eye to gloss over everything. You will know the differences in each, but it will not be as nice a display as you surely want.

Hope this helps a little.

Jon

no two similar together ... like 2 greens ...

blue by yellow ... then a var ... then a green.. etc ...

what jon said about larger in back ...

but the bottom line is.. just do it.. and move your mistakes later ...

ken

love ferns with hostas..some in my yard..agree with Ken..just buy & plant!!