Having gardened in mostly sun all my life, I have often dreamed about having a shade garden.
It would be lush with ferns, and ribboned in paths of tiny leaved hosta.  There would be carpets of fragrant sweet woodruff, with star-like white blossoms in spring, and exquisite native woodland wildflowers.  And of course, a comfy seat, with wide arm rests for my Starbuck's latte, to sit and enjoy it all by.  Being on the windy prairie dashed my dreams, until one day, I had a brainstorm.  We'll build a lath house!  So we did, and finally, after several years of procrastination, we have planted nearly half of the 4,000 square feet in this intimidating monster of an area.  It will be thickly carpeted in favorite hosta, with dozens of other shade tolerant plants, and lucky for me, the lath lets in just enough sun for all the hot new Lenten roses (helleborus) and bronze-leaved heuchera that are so popular right now.  This will be a demonstration garden with a personal touch, for visiting when you need inspiration and ideas for your own shady garden.  Please drop by if you plan to be in our area. Our nursery and greenhouse is open from March 15 through October 15. Closed for vacation July 28 through August 6


Ordering our hosta…….

Quality is what our container-grown hosta is all about.  When you receive your order you will note the healthy large crowns, well-developed root systems (no tiny starts in 3 inch pots!), expertly packed and ready for vigorous growth in your garden.  Our inventory is one of the largest in the greater St. Louis area, with top new cultivars and treasured older types.  Bill and I work hard to provide you with the quality you will come to expect from us, and will settle for nothing less.  For ordering, please see our 'Mail Order" page, where an order form can be downloaded.  We also accept phone-in orders.

I have categorized our hosta selection by the mature size each plant will likely grow to.  You'll also find my chosen favorites grown for their over-the-top, large or numerous flowers that hummingbirds and night flying moths are attracted to ( see 'Flower Power').  I suggest a planting of several of these hosta (maybe in containers) near your patio for close up enjoyment .

A note on hosta culture: Pile on the compost and reap the rewards.  Hosta love organically rich, moist soil that is well drained.  A few hours of sun a day (preferably in the morning), will promote more vigorous growth and beautiful foliage color in variegated types. Types more tolerant of full sun are noted in each category with an asterisk *.

Nearly all hosta will grow and prosper north to Zone 3, where they will be more sun tolerant, and as far south as Zone 8 and 9, where they will require more shade.  Hostas with reduced winter dormancy requirements-- those more adaptable to the Deep South climate of Zone 9-- are noted along with their descriptions.