Rose the tree is an Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) and yes it should be hardy for you.
I use chopped leaves and pine needles as mulch so this past winter I just left all the fallen leaves in the beds and cleaned them up in late spring with a blower. It left a few but for the most part it's not an overly time consuming job.

Doug

A bit late but the Jack In The Pulpit finally opened.

Just some pictures from the shade garden.

Oh Bob!!! What a cool and refreshing looking garden!

Just stunning!

So lush with greenery and color. Love it!

Bob, I opened your pictures and went "Wooooooooo"! So beautiful! What kind of ferns do you all put in your shade gardens (especially those in zone 5-ish)? I cannot find anything locally. This year I planted some things that I'll have to dig up and overwinter inside (because I like them and couldn't find anything else...). Susie, your Japanese Maple is beautiful! I'd love one, but they are waaaaay tooooo expensive here. I'm loving seeing everyone's shade gardens!

Look for any of the Athyrium ferns most go as low as zone 3. And thank you for the comments on the garden.If you look at the co-op's forum I think someone had Japanese Maples for sale.

NJBob, your shade gardens are probably the best shade plantings/groupings I've ever enjoyed. You've really outdone yourself there. Lots of great ideas just staring at your pics.

Glad you shared them!

Shoe

Loving the trees, and rock envy here too, not to mention the clean slate to work with!

Jo Ann, just beautiful!!

Bob, yikes!! Beautiful, but yikes!!

BEAUTIFUL!!

I have nothing but shade now, with three full grown walnut trees shading the house, a maple the neighbor planted before we bought his place and two large walnut trees on the property line we graciously let the other neighbor's have. Seriously, they think if they cut them down they can sell the trunk of one. It's long with no side branches. They need the money more than we do.
So, to start, one small shady bed at the back door under the Alley walnut.

Ligularia, "The Rocket," mini Hosta, "Just So" and Purple Loosestrife. Newly mulched :o)

Doug,

Thanks for the info on the tree. May have to add that to my yard next year.

Bob,

What a beautiful collection of Heuchera you have! I have added some to my hosta gardens, but they're not big yet. Now, I can't wait for them to grow!

Here's one of my hosta beds

Wow Rose, that is beautiful!!

Brenda, Japanese maple produce tons of seedlings. They don't come true but they are relatively fast growers. Maybe you could find someone who would be willing to donate. I've given lots away and Rose of Sharon too. Otherwise there just weeds.

Ditto...looks great to me, too!

I think I'm liking all these pics more and more. Ya'll are doing fantastic jobs with your shade gardens. Color me green with envy!

Shoe

Rose what a beautiful collection of hostas.......I'm jealous.

Rose, any tips on planting Hosta among the tree roots and how about a close up of your dragonfly? Is that pine straw? Sorry for all the questions but the garden looks great.

Evan,

If I can chop the root with my shovel, then it's a good spot to plant. If not, then I try moving over a bit until I get a good hole dug. Yes, we use pine needles for mulch. And, I don't have a close up picture of the dragonfly. But, if it's not too muggy tomorrow I'll get you one.

Rose

Just wanted to thank everyone for the nice comments about the shade garden. I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. Sally what a nice Ligularia plant. Are your trees black walnuts . If you did not know be careful what you plant under them or near their roots they can be toxic to some plants. Rose Very nice Hosta garden. If you like Heuchera join us at the Heuchera forum to see what ones you might be interested in. My shed was in my shade garden too, I ended up moving it to make more room for plants.Sometimes us gardeners do crazy things to find ways to fit more plants in.

Those hosta beds are to die for! I have been trying to get mine to grow for years under our maple and it just looks sad! Thanks for the inspiration, I'll try harder!

I'm with Shoe- green with envy!

That's why I started this thread. I don't have any shade gardens (YET!) And I miss them terribly.
Meanwhile, I'm living vicariously through all of you and gaining some inspiration!