Shady Lane Garden with Emerald Isle

Our Shady Lane Garden grows near the nursery on a narrow road lined with ancient Sugar Maples. Here Virginia Bluebells and old-fashioned Bleeding Hearts, both pink and white, spread on their own there among variegated Solomon's Seal. Over the years we've added the Emerald Isle Hosta Collection, our favorite ground cover for shade. The Hostas are just waking up as the others are in bloom, but once fully unfurled, their leaves create a lush, weed-smothering carpet. Hostas are categorically the finest ground cover for shade and one of the loveliest and most popular elements for designing a long-term and carefree garden.

The Shady Lane Garden includes 34 plants:  2 plants of Lamprocapnos spectabilis, 1 of L. s. 'Alba,' 5 of Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum,' 6 of Mertensia virginica, plus the Emerald Isle (5 each of 4 different Hostas).

Plants are vigorous and healthy and will take hold quickly. Each variety is labeled. Garden measures approx. 5′ by 20′. Tallest plant is Dicentra (36″). Shipped with planting plans.

STEP-BY-STEP

• Prepare the soil in an area about 5′ by 20′, removing any grass, weeds, or stones. Loosen the soil by digging down the length of a shovel's blade, approximately 10–12″. Turn a 3–4″ layer of organic matter—such as compost, aged manure, or leaf mold—into your soil.
• Arrange the bareroot plants following the planting diagram—or arrange to accommodate your planting area—making sure you leave enough space between plants for them to reach their mature size. Keep in mind that as the Dicentra and Mertensia go dormant, the Hosta and Polygonatum foliage will fill in.
• Dig a hole for each plant wide enough to spread out the roots and deep enough for the crown to be 1″ below soil level.
• Remove and discard packing material as you place each plant in its hole, spreading the roots before covering with soil. Work soil around the roots, then firm the soil around the crown.
• Water plants in thoroughly. Mulch with 2–3″ of shredded leaves or bark, keeping mulch an inch or so away from the crowns of plants to discourage disease.

HOW PLANTS ARE SHIPPED

The size of the plants we ship has been selected to reduce the shock of transplanting. For some, this means a large, bareroot crown. Others cannot travel bareroot or transplant best if grown in containers. We ship these perennials and annuals in 1 pint pots, except as noted. We must point out that many perennials will not bloom the first year after planting, but will the following year, amply rewarding your patience. We ship bulbs as dormant, bare bulbs, sometimes with some wood shavings or moss. Shrubs, Roses, vines, and other woody plants may be shipped bareroot or in pots. The size of the pot is noted in the quick facts for each item.

WHEN WE SHIP

We ship our bulbs and plants at the right time for planting in your area, except as noted, with orders dispatched on a first-come, first-served basis by climate zone. We also ship a wide range of containers and planters, tools, supplies, fertilizers, garden wear, garden decor items, as well as indoor decorations like wreaths and dried bouquets when available. Estimated dates for shipping are indicated in the green Shipping Details box for each item. Please supply a street address for delivery. Kindly contact us with two weeks notice, if you'll be away at the expected time of delivery.

OUR GUARANTEE

We guarantee to ship plants that are in prime condition for growing. If your order is damaged or fails to meet your expectations, we will cheerfully replace or refund it. Please contact our Customer Service Department at 1-800-503-9624 or email us at [email protected]. Please include your order number or customer number when contacting us.