Although I have added comments and photos to many of these threads and could add more, I cannot enter a favorite. They are all an intricate weaving together of texture, color, and height, that to me, all bring their own interest to the garden.


I Would also add Astilbe and Astrantia to this mix.

Absolutely Susie, so many that have a quiet beauty to add to the shade garden. The foliage is the star of the shade garden I think; flowers are a bonus.
Astilbe and Astrantia also get my vote; love the rich color on both your examples!

I did not know Astrantia would grow in shade. Good to know.

Gorgeous Garden Susie!

I can't believe that Astilbe hasn't been nominated???
I can't keep it alive very well here--too desert like--but I would think that it should rank among the favorites! once upon a time I had lush clumps like yours

and Cimicifuga! 'twas another fav of mine that I cannot grow here

You're right,
>>>intricate weaving together of texture, color, and height, all bring their own interest to the garden

It's such a good thing that we don't have to pick just one

Thank you Dirt! I have a list of things from your gardens too that I looked up to see if they would grow here. Nope, it's to cold.

But I think we've both found enough plants for our zone to keep us happy!

I love astilbe but have struggled to grow it here. I will keep working on it though.

I have found the Chinese Astilbe less fussy to grow; it is a little more tolerant of drier conditions. The foliage is a little more coarser than Astilbe Arendsii but comes in quite a large array of colours and heights.

I ordered some Astrantia plants last because I loved the blooms. I googled it to see how much sun it needed and was pleasantly surprised when I read it likes shade! It grew like crazy but never bloomed so I hope it's not in too much shade.

Rose, I've grown it in part sun to full shade, the one in part sun took so much watering to stay nice that it wasn't worth keeping it there. Maybe yours needed a year to settle in?

I hope so because they do have a pretty bloom! Last year was so cool and wet that a lot of blooming things were "off" in my yard. I didn't mind the cooler temps and rains, but I do like blooms... are we ever satisfied?

I have found that astrantia takes a while to hit its stride. By year 3 or 4 mine took off but didn't do a whole lot before then.

Thanks Jeanie! I'll leave it alone for a while then.