Lily of the Valley

Convallaria majalis

Lily of the Valley

Hardy to:             2

Plant Height:      6-9"

Spacing:               6-12"

Sun Preference:  Shade to Sun

Flower Color:     White

Zone info

Photo on 4/22/09

This is a new one I got and planted this week. I have one bed in the front of my house that is primarily in the shade, although it gets a bit of morning sun. Here is some good info I found:

A slow but aggressive spreader, Lily of the Valley will tolerate dry conditions but after blooming the foliage will die back. Constant moisture will keep the plants green throughout the growing season. They prefer shade and will grow in most soil types. Fragrant bell shaped flowers are followed by glossy red berries.

Transplanting is easy - dig the roots up at any time and cover with a couple inches of soil - keep moist until established then spend the rest of your time trying to beat it back. Once established it is hard to get rid of. The smallest piece of root will start the cycle all over.

Requirements:

Soil Type - Sandy loam to clay soils
Soil ph - neutral to slightly acidic
Water - moist to dry
Light - Full Shade to full sun

Characteristics: Height - 6 in.
Time of bloom - May
Flower colors - White
Propagation - division
Transplants - easily  source

Gardening-Tips-Perennials info

Backyard Gardener info

Hostas

Hosta
Varieties:

Minuteman
Blue Angel

Blue Angel

Hardy to:             3a   

Plant Height:      10-18"

Spacing:               24-36"

Sun Preference:  Deep Shade to Part Shade

Flower Color:     Pale Lavender

Zone info

Minuteman

Hardy to:             3a (DG) 4(BG)

Plant Height:      18-36"

Spacing:               36-48"

Sun Preference:  Deep Shade to Part Shade

Flower Color:     Medium Lavender

BG:  Backyard Gardener

DG:  Dave's Garden

Zone info

I just bought these 2 varieties for my shade bed.

Hostas are another plant that are a challenge to kill.

Hardy, deciduous perennials for shaded gardens with large, bold leaves
often marked with contrasting colors. Leaves range in shape from round
to lance-shaped, and colors can be yellow to green to blue, often with
white, yellow or green marginal markings. Lavender or white flowers
grow on 2 foot stalks in early summer. Wonderful contrast when planted
with small-leaved plants, adding texture to the landscape. This
cultivar is slow-growing, with ovate to heart-shaped, wavy, glaucous,
bluish gray leaves, 16 inches long. Bears white flowers on 36 inches
stalks in midsummer. 36 inches tall, 4 feet wide.  

Important Info : Warning: snails and slugs love hosta. Bait 3 to 4
times a year.

source

Dave's Garden info

Blue Angel

Minuteman

Bleeding Heart

Dicentra spectabilis

picture

picture

Hardy to:                2

Plant Height:        24-30"

Spacing:                 18-24"

Sun Preference:    Deep Shade to Part Shade

Flower Color:        Pink

Zone info

Common and traditional perennial with flowers resembling pink hearts.

Does well in shade. The compound leaves are delicate, and very finely

cut. This plant is a reliable performer, and can become quite large

rather quickly. Dies to the ground in winter. Divide in early spring.  source

Like many woodland flowers, bleeding hearts die back after blooming.
Planted in shade with humus rich, moist soil the plants will last much
longer.
A number of varieties are available, including some with all white
flowers to an almost ever-blooming type that looks similar to wild
bleeding heart

Requirements:
Soil Type - Well drained, humus rich
Soil ph - Neutral
Water - Moist
Light - Partial shade

Characteristics:
Height - up to 4 ft.
Time of bloom - May - June
Flower colors - Red, Pink, White
Propagation - Division
Transplants - Fair
source

Dave's Garden info