I call it the Lasagna Garden. I started it in March 2009, not realizing it needed a year for the newspaper and compost to cure and decompose the sod beneath. This new garden is 35 feet long and 25 feet wide.
When making a new garden of any size, I use the lasagna method. In a large garden or a small spot where only dirt grows, this effortless plan works well if it's started a season before planting.
This plant lends itself to many garden compositions.
When the hosta "eyes" appear, I mix one part household ammonia with ten parts of water and pour this mixture around the eyes close to the plant. It doesn't hurt the plants, but it does dissolve the eggs that are laid around the roots. It has reduced the slug population noticeably. I also pour the ammonia solution directly on slugs that I see on the deck. Dissolves them right away.
Use the long winter months and the Picasa editor tool to plan your color combinations for your containers.