I've got a shady spot along my driveway that will at some point be a large "shade bed". I have a variety of 5-7 year old hostas needing division and plans for one supersize hosta and other shade plants. The 'shade' is provided by a shed and two Maple trees but along the driveway I get enough sun to get blooms on 'Lilting Bell', and invasive chunk of H. Fulva that's about to meet Mr. Round-Up, a tall yellow which might indeed be 'August King' as a member so kindly pointed out, and 'South Seas'. No pictures handy but I'll look and see if I didn't post some to my all-but-forgotten photobucket account.
The "tall yellow" blooms a foot shorter in shade but still buds up and blooms well. 'South Seas' is stunning in the limited/filtered sun. Flat gorgeous all day long! If I were to plant it where I've planted most of my new buys here at mom's house it would be the ugliest bloom but I am kinda rough on the new ones. Plenty of water but bare soil, no fertilizer. As I plan to transplant all, they got "basic holes" compared to "keeper holes". Keeper holes are twice as big and deep with additions such as sand, fresh topsoil, Canadian peat and often a little pea gravel. Plants get mulched, general purpose fertilizer (M-Gro), and extra special watering, dead-heading, and any encouragement/support they might need as "permanent landscape additions"...LOL!
I say it's all trial and error but I'm a firm believer that certain delicate colors are better off with fewer blooms if shade provides for better blooms. Experiment. I just re-purchased 'Salieri' which was my first 'near black'. In mostly shade it was a "BBB" (Bud Building _____). Beautiful. I experimented with full, all day sun with a near-white ('Wedding Band'?) on each side. Absolute disaster. I know I have comparison pics but I'll have to dig deep and it's time for my nightly slug patrol.
I shall return with some pics....
