Tell us your Favorite Shade Plants

By dave
January 20, 2016

We're putting together a list of the ATP members' favorite shade plants! Come on in and read how to nominate your favorites! We will later publish a final article on the top picks.

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Jan 20, 2016 10:25 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Marilyn
Greenwood Village, CO (Zone 5b)
Garden today. Clean next week.
Heucheras Bookworm Region: Colorado Garden Procrastinator Region: Southwest Gardening Container Gardener
Enjoys or suffers cold winters Sempervivums Annuals Foliage Fan Herbs Garden Ideas: Level 2
This group of plants has so many varied and beautiful specimens which flourish in shade.
The Hostas Database

Many shapes sizes colors and flowers but just right for shade.





Last edited by CDsSister Jan 22, 2016 6:22 PM Icon for preview
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Jan 21, 2016 1:26 AM CST
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
I got this one last year and I am in love with it. The blooms are almost larger than the plant. I sure look forward to watching this one grow into a nice clump.
Which reminds me, I need to start putting out slug bait, tis the season of slugs beginning this month.
Last edited by valleylynn Jan 21, 2016 10:35 AM Icon for preview
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Jan 21, 2016 8:48 AM CST
Name: Deb
Planet Earth (Zone 8b)
Region: Pacific Northwest Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
Hostas are nice, but a bit 'meh' for me. Striking foliage, especially in a mix, but I don't find the blooms particularly impressive, and the slugs tend to turn the whole plant into tatters. A real nice filler and such a wide variety of foliage. I like the two toned ones best.
I want to live in a world where the chicken can cross the road without its motives being questioned.
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Jan 21, 2016 10:36 AM CST
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Deb did you see the one I posted above? Holy Mouse Ears. I couldn't believe how big the blooms were on it.
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Jan 21, 2016 11:37 AM CST
Name: Deb
Planet Earth (Zone 8b)
Region: Pacific Northwest Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
Lynn, that IS impressive for a hosta. I think why I'm not so impressed with the blooms is I prefer bold and brassy over pastels. But the foliage is quite lovely (until the slugs move in).
I want to live in a world where the chicken can cross the road without its motives being questioned.
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Jan 21, 2016 12:01 PM CST
Name: tarev
San Joaquin County, CA (Zone 9b)
Give PEACE a chance!
Adeniums Cat Lover Garden Photography Region: California Houseplants Plays in the sandbox
Orchids Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Composter Cactus and Succulents Dragonflies Hummingbirder
I have tried Hostas, and they do look good in the shade, but it just is too much dry heat in our area, so it does not really last long. And I hate the constant battle with slugs. But it is a nice shade plant.
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Jan 21, 2016 12:33 PM CST
Name: Debbie
Manitoba, Canada (Zone 3a)
Amaryllis Dog Lover Dragonflies Foliage Fan Hostas Houseplants
Native Plants and Wildflowers Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Enjoys or suffers hot summers Daylilies Critters Allowed Annuals
IMHO Hosta are the best shade plants ever; and a lot of them do well in the sun as well. There are patterns, sizes, textures and colours for every taste. So many hostas, and so little real estate! Some have dramatic and scented flowers, and some thicker leaves that the slugs won't touch. I guess it's finding the right Hosta for the right situation.
Marilyn, great pics of Praying Hands, Patriot and Blue Mouse Ears; I have all three and love them. Blue Mouse Ears have lovely flowers and thick leaves that the slugs avoid.
Lynn, your Holy Mouse Ears is gorgeous; I added Mighty Mouse last year and hope it does well. I plan to add some more of the minis this year and will look for Holy Mouse.
Tarev, I expect growing hostas in your climate would be more of a challenge; sometimes the cold has its advantages!
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Jan 21, 2016 4:08 PM CST
Name: Larry
Enterprise, Al. 36330 (Zone 8b)
Composter Daylilies Garden Photography Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level Plant Identifier
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Region: Alabama
I am liking my Sun Hosta so far, planted them last year and they took a fair amount of sun.
Thumb of 2016-01-21/Seedfork/6051de
'Guacamole' has also done well for me here in a warm zone for Hosta:
Thumb of 2016-01-21/Seedfork/79c226
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Jan 21, 2016 6:00 PM CST
Name: Rose
Oquawka, IL (Zone 5a)
Echinacea Hibiscus Dahlias Clematis Charter ATP Member Region: Illinois
Garden Photography Heucheras Hummingbirder Hostas Garden Art Birds
I agree that these are probably the best shade plant on the market! I have several companion plants for my shade gardens, but they are companions to the hosta! There are some beautiful plants with gorgeous foliage. I don't buy them for the blooms, but the hummingbirds and bees like them!

'All That Jazz' is a beautiful large one!
Thumb of 2016-01-21/Rose1656/2328fb

'Dark Nebula' is a pretty little streaked one


Thumb of 2016-01-21/Rose1656/20b4a1

'Faithful Heart' is a beautiful yellow that brightens up my gardens



'Gunther's Prize' ...Well, there's no need to say more!



I really like the different colored foliage grouped together!

Thumb of 2016-01-22/Rose1656/7347c1
When all is said and done, there’s more said than done.
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Jan 21, 2016 6:37 PM CST
Name: Debbie
Manitoba, Canada (Zone 3a)
Amaryllis Dog Lover Dragonflies Foliage Fan Hostas Houseplants
Native Plants and Wildflowers Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Enjoys or suffers hot summers Daylilies Critters Allowed Annuals
Wow, Gunthers Prize is spectacular! Love, love All That Jazz and Dark Nebula! Oh, what the heck, I love them all; gorgeous. Thank You! Sighing!
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Jan 21, 2016 6:41 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Marilyn
Greenwood Village, CO (Zone 5b)
Garden today. Clean next week.
Heucheras Bookworm Region: Colorado Garden Procrastinator Region: Southwest Gardening Container Gardener
Enjoys or suffers cold winters Sempervivums Annuals Foliage Fan Herbs Garden Ideas: Level 2
Love the way they are all grouped together!!! They make quite a show. Hurray!
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Jan 21, 2016 8:28 PM CST
Name: Ann
Ottawa, ON Canada (Zone 5a)
Hostas Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Region: Canadian Enjoys or suffers cold winters Composter
Seed Starter Annuals Herbs Canning and food preservation Native Plants and Wildflowers Vegetable Grower
Hostas definitely!

In particular, 'Liberty' Hosta 'Liberty'


And 'Tickle Me Pink' Hosta 'Tickle Me Pink'
Ann

Pictures of all my hostas, updated annually and tracked since 2008 begin at: https://violaann.smugmug.com/G...
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Jan 21, 2016 8:47 PM CST
Name: Rose
Oquawka, IL (Zone 5a)
Echinacea Hibiscus Dahlias Clematis Charter ATP Member Region: Illinois
Garden Photography Heucheras Hummingbirder Hostas Garden Art Birds
I just noticed that I didn't include a link...does that mean my vote doesn't count?
When all is said and done, there’s more said than done.
Avatar for hostasmore
Jan 21, 2016 9:57 PM CST
Name: Gary
Wyoming MN (Zone 4a)
Definitely the jewels of the shade garden. Some do have beautiful flowers but really, do they need them? I have amny shade plants but, the gardens just would be bare bones without the hostas.
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Jan 21, 2016 10:48 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Marilyn
Greenwood Village, CO (Zone 5b)
Garden today. Clean next week.
Heucheras Bookworm Region: Colorado Garden Procrastinator Region: Southwest Gardening Container Gardener
Enjoys or suffers cold winters Sempervivums Annuals Foliage Fan Herbs Garden Ideas: Level 2
I think votes count when you contribute a remark, the first entry has to have the picture I think.
At least that is the way I read the rules:
"4. Optionally, check out the other nominations, and if you see something already nominated that you like, feel free to post a reply and say that you agree and add to the discussion. We will be looking at how many replies each nomination got to help us determine the winners."

Think this means a simple response is a vote for the entry. At least I hope so as I do think this plant deserves to be a winner, it is to me anyway.
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Jan 22, 2016 9:48 AM CST
Name: Lynn
Oregon City, OR (Zone 8b)
Charter ATP Member Garden Sages I helped plan and beta test the plant database. I helped beta test the Garden Planting Calendar I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator
Forum moderator I helped beta test the first seed swap Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant and/or Seed Trader Garden Ideas: Master Level
Oh wow, just look at all the amazing hosta photos. Hurray!
I can see I will be adding more to my very small collection this year.

I think hostas have to have a dormant/cold season, so they may act more like an annual for some people, but maybe you could try them in full shade and water them with ice cubes? I know this can work on some other types of plants.
Has anyone every tried this method in warmer climates?
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Jan 22, 2016 10:50 AM CST
Name: Margaret
Near Kamloops, BC, Canada (Zone 3a)
Region: Canadian Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member
Morning Glories Critters Allowed Birds Houseplants Butterflies Garden Photography
Hostas are awesome shade plants, I wish I had more space in my beds for a few more of them, I love the variety of shapes and colors of the leaves and find the blooms very attractive.


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Jan 22, 2016 11:08 AM CST
Name: Debbie
Manitoba, Canada (Zone 3a)
Amaryllis Dog Lover Dragonflies Foliage Fan Hostas Houseplants
Native Plants and Wildflowers Plant Lover: Loves 'em all! Enjoys or suffers hot summers Daylilies Critters Allowed Annuals
My wish list for Hostas is about a mile long; so difficult to choose with limited space. Here are 3 I have on order for this year:


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Jan 22, 2016 12:16 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Marilyn
Greenwood Village, CO (Zone 5b)
Garden today. Clean next week.
Heucheras Bookworm Region: Colorado Garden Procrastinator Region: Southwest Gardening Container Gardener
Enjoys or suffers cold winters Sempervivums Annuals Foliage Fan Herbs Garden Ideas: Level 2
I want to order some more this year but want to wait and see what survived the winter before I place an order.

Soooooo many varieties and so little space. Crying
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Jan 22, 2016 12:55 PM CST
Name: Margaret
Near Kamloops, BC, Canada (Zone 3a)
Region: Canadian Lover of wildlife (Black bear badge) Tip Photographer Garden Ideas: Master Level I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Charter ATP Member
Morning Glories Critters Allowed Birds Houseplants Butterflies Garden Photography
So far I have been lucky and have lost only 1 plant a few years ago, they are pretty hardy.

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  • Started by: CDsSister
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