As I am working on my computer, I can look outside and see all two feet of snow on my garden. To me it is either downright depressing or a promise of spring depending if you are an optimist or pessimist. I choose to look at the snow and think of what is starting to come to life under the snow. Some of you prefer snow because you can find many fun things to do. I do not snow board, ski, or snowmobile or ice skate. I do prefer to sit in a comfortable chair, put my feet up, pull the comforter over me and drink hot chocolate. Now is a good time to reassess my notes that I painstakingly jotted down last year. I had to push myself to make the notes when my hands were dirty and I was having fun trying something new in my garden.

I had written down to move a hosta that evidently preferred more sun, dig up several plants and split them. I also need to remember to tie up my vines so they do not creep along the soil under other plants and I cannot see them. I wrote down the location of several plants that were too invasive and would eventually crowd out some of my favorite beauties. They will be easy to find because I marked the area with a flag. It will not help a whole lot unless I get out my tools and dig deeper as the roots are easy to spot but they just scurry under  the taller plants at a fast pace. I would not dare to give it to another gardener unless that gardener has an area needing naturalizing. Obedient is the name.

Would you like a shade garden that has life, color, movement and hardly any work? Many plants look gorgeous and grow in either complete shade or partial shade. You can plant different combinations of ferns, hosta, brunnera, Joseph’s ladder and grasses to turn a shade area into a work of art. Many grasses prefer shade and one of them is the 2009 Perennial Plant Association plant of the year. Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ is the name. This grass spreads slowly by stolons but is not invasive. The color is a knockout golden variegated and it grows to 1-2 feet. It has a cousin named ‘All Gold’. They are ‘must have’ plants.

There is also sedge called Carex that loves shade. It comes in several different selections.They are good ground cover or a perfect plant for containers.

Of course, if you have read some of my earlier blogs you know that hosta are a personal favorite. They come in many different shades of green blue-green, white-green, golden yellow and different variations. They come in so many different colors, variations of height from what I like to call babies to giants. Most of the local nurseries carry a big variety from which to pick. They require very little care and give a splendid show throughout the spring, summer and early fall. If you like big, Sum and Substance may be for you. It truly is a beauty. The leaves make your hand look small. It is one of the all time favorites.

Next time I plan to stick with the shade plants and introduce some that are understated and positively show stoppers. In addition, veggies that grows amid flowers.

I want to extend an invitation to come and stop by my house if you see me out there working in my garden and look around. It may give you ideas of what hosta would suit your needs. I have over 300 varieties. I am working hard to get them categorized and labeled. That is a big challenge and it may take several years to complete.

One of my objectives is to show you not only what I like but to give ideas and share what little I know about horticulture. As an advanced master gardener, we volunteer to teach what we have learned and inspire you to make your little space come alive. Learning about all of nature, plants, soil, bugs, butterflies, grass etc. may take a lifetime. It is a very rewarding accomplishment. Sharing a little bit of my knowledge to inspire you in some way will be rewarding and I look forward to seeing you.