Plants that do well in shady areas?

I use hostas and impatiens in my shadiest areas. That way, there is the perennial that kind of adds structure to the area and then I can use whatever color of impatiens I want - different each year :) The impatiens do need a good bit of water though. The hostas come in some really pretty varieties - deep ridges in the leaves or variegated colors with yellows and whites. Those things are so reliable - at least where we live. (Ohio) You can also divide them up each year.

Here is an area we planted with the above - freshly planted here. This year, they are at least twice the size.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...en/garden8.jpg

edit: Love the pictures K9soul!! My favorite is in your middle picture.:)

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Originally Posted by IRescue452

Bleeding hearts do great in shade. They do grow out a bit, but it takes a while. Tiger lilys too, but they spread.

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yes I love bleeding hearts and tiger lillies

Bleeding heart does well in PARTIAL shade. In MY yard's shade, it barely even comes up each year. When I say my back yard is dark, I mean DARK! The astible does better, marginally ...

Violets and Forgetmenots do do well. The forgetmenots unfortunately re-seeded themselves into the lawn, and not the garden area, so they got mowed this year! Gotta replant.

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Originally Posted by sirrahbed

edit: Love the pictures K9soul!! My favorite is in your middle picture.:)

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That one was my favorite too! I just loved that gold one. I can't remember the variety that one was, but it looked similar to one called August Moon they were selling. Your hostas and impatiens look nice. :) I'm thinking hostas would do nicely in NY where Sue is from. Hydrangeas are nice too if you like a bigger shrub like plant or two.

Thanks for all the wonderful ideas!

I've done a lot of research since yous started posting yesterday. Between that & memory yous have listed some plants that I have already tried there.
Here is what I have tried so far & how they did:
wildflowers (died before they were 1-2" tall)
Marigolds (died within a month)
Snap dragons (lived but didn't bloom that much)
Lillies (were there when I moved in, I have them in numerous parts of my yard I moved them because they were half the size & didn't bloom as much as the others)
Violets (didn't bloom or grow anything like the violets I have elsewhere in my yard)
Pansy's (lived but didn't grow or live well)
Lavander (lived but didn't produce anything but the stems)
There are a few other annuals I tried before but I can't find their names yet.

Seems that everything I have tried either died or didn't grow as tall or flower as much as they should.

And yes I have had my soil checked last year and it is fine. I think it just that, like I said this area gets very little if any sun at all.

I prefer perennials but annuals would be ok. I also prefer something that grows to be at least a foot or so tall, but under 4 feet and flowers.

I think I might try 1-2 or so of the following, depending on what is avail & what I like once I see them in person:
Impatience (because I would love something that flowers there)
Hostas (they stay short though don't they?)
Periwinkle
And I'll put in 1-3 giant ferns there too in the background, just in case all else fails I will at least have something. :p

I love the bleeding hearts, not sure if I will try that or not though.

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...oyStorm011.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...oyStorm008.jpg

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i7...oyStorm007.jpg

Just saw this. I will ask my hubby, he is the one with green fingers here :D

I am sure about one plant though: "fern"

Hosta come in very many different varieties and some can get quite tall! Make sure you read up on which kind you are getting to be certain about the mature height. I daresay you aren't going to find one that gets to 4 ft tall, though! LOL!!

Logan