Heh, I think that little bush would probably fill the area; it's a pretty small spot. But I'll have to remember that one for the other side of the house (when I get to that area). I'm just waiting now to see if the ferns I planted are going to grow. The Japanese Painted fern has broken ground, as well as the anemones and two of the toad lilies.

Maybe celadine (wood Poppies)? They make a nice ground cover, spread themselves and are early bright cheerfulness in the shade?

So, how about an update on what you did with your spot... How's it doing this year? If you haven't put Monkshood in yet, I recommend a dark color flower's Monkshood or Delphinium. The dark color flower will be best to show up better in the shade, even though it will be against that nice white background. Look forward to seeing some "after" photos!

You've probably filled it in by now, but I grow Ligularia Othello on a shady side of the house where the snow piles up all winter and it's a big beauty.

woffie, time for an update and photo.

Oh, Lauri, I have two Ligularia Othello's in my shade garden. They are a great suggestion. I love mine!

Nothing too interesting to take photos so far. Everything is still quite small. But the Japanese fern is doing fine, only one of the Lady Ferns grew (sigh), but all of the Toad Lilies seem to have survived, along with most of the anemones, the tiny Gentian, and the one Hellebore is doing fine. The Campanula and the Monarda seem to have vanished, tho. But I did stick in a small bleeding heart that seems happy enough for now.

And the Peony in the corner is doing fine. Surprisingly, the blooms this year were much nicer than in previous years.

Well, don't get discouraged. I have one area that it took me about five years to figure out what to do with. I tried numerous things, many of which did't turn out to be the right thing, but eventually, there was enough stuff in there that I liked that I can now say, I like how it's turned out. I planted a rose bush, two globe flowers and a perennial mum in that space this Spring. Last year it was bergenia and yarrow that turned out to be keepers.

The only thing that really discourages me is trying to stay on top of the weeds. I think I might try putting in a somewhat larger variety of bleeding heart next to the wall there at the back. And maybe look for another type of fern to add to the mix. I do love ferns! But I do need something that will tolerate being drenched there in the middle, which is where all the water from the various rooflines hits.

Looking good Woffie, takes time for the plants to fill the space.

I depend on a large chip bark mulch to keep the weeds down. Large chip because I'm always adding things into the soil, or moving things and the small chip is harder to keep out of the hole I'm digging. I have quite a few flower beds to maintain and do very little weeding. It is expensive, though, and I buy it by the truck load because of how many beds I have to cover. But I love it. Keeps the cats out, as well!

We have a bunch of wood chips, left over from when we had a very large tree cut down, and I've spread them liberally. Probably less weeds than there'd be otherwise, but yow, those dandelions are tenacious!

Welcome to All Things Plants, @Conniepr !!

Woofie, I kind of have that same 'drenched in the middle' thing going on in my shady garden... I have mainly bleeding hearts (old-fashioned type), hosta, and ferns. If nothing else, dandelions and other weeds are a LOT easier to pull out when the bed is mulched!

Yeah, I'm thinking more ferns and maybe another bleeding heart. It's funny. The middle gets soaked, but the edges seem to stay a bit too dry. Must drain really well.

Thanks for the welcome, Sandy. There's what my shade gardens look like tonight. The sun is hitting some areas (8:00 pm), but one section is under a large birch tree and one section under a mature mountain ash tree.

Connie, your gardens are lovely.

Thanks, Margaret! I'm expanding the one along the fence this summer (wider). I want to fill in the area in front of the delphiniums so that it's not just a row of green for most of the summer. I'm adding contrast in color, texture and height by adding the tall iris, some peonies, some huechera (dark purple, light green), may be some daylilies and other lilies, maybe daisies. I have a lot I can divide and bring in from other areas, but not a lot that will bring in more color. Next Spring, I think I'll use my budget for some Barberries. They seem to be surviving in my mom's garden (in our zone 2b environment).

Connie, that all sounds great! It's challenging to select plants that do well in our cold zones.