Mailorder Nurseries Online and Off, Part 4 -Naylor Creek Nursery
Did someone mention Hostas? I'm not a Hosta fanatic, so I don't have every list featuring this genus, but I do know that Naylor Creek's is the largest list I've ever encountered. It takes up about 10 letter sized pages of small print (both sides). There's something for all Hosta fans - from the tried and true to the very latest forms. I've actually seen comments on lists from people who are looking for "anything but a boring Hosta". How can anyone think Hostas are boring? Just look at this superb combination of large leaf forms. It's hard to get more dramatic than this in the shade.
I seem to gravitate toward blue Hosta.
H. 'Blue Tips' is different from the H. sieboldiana species and cultivars I have. The leaves have a definite pointy tip and are held on upright petioles, like 'Krossa Regal', instead of being rounded and spreading. Rather nice.
I also like the combination of gray-green with creamy white edges on H. 'Robert Frost'. Well, there are so many of them, you could lose your mind and spend your entire plant budget for one year.
Tempting Plants for Shade
Hostas aren't all they list. They have a strong list of Astilbes for those of you with damper soil than I have. Not that I don't grow them; I do, but until I see whether the ones I've moved to my new damp garden thrive, I'm not getting any more. Really, I'm not...but, I must say that I am sorely tempted by A. thunbergii 'Moerheim's Glory', a late one that gets a bit over six feet (2m) tall! I can just picture the white plumes waving at the back of my wood border. Maybe we'll have a wet summer this year...hmmm...
If I were really brave (or totally foolhardy) I'd get the Brunnera macrophylla 'Variegata' with its white bordered leaves. But, I know this plant loathes and despises heat. I've been told this; I've read this. I still lust for it and one of these days, I'll probably break down and get it. But, those of you who garden in cooler climes can add it to your lists. This is a beautiful plant for cool shade and moist soil.
Epimedium
What really excited me, however, were the many other plants listed that are so perfect for my shady garden, including
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