I have TONS of mixed zinnias, mixed marigolds, and will be gathering mixed cosmos (bipinnatus---the pink shades) soon---and there will be some 'Candy Stripe' in that mix. Separately, I'll also have yellow/orange cosmos (cosmos sulphureus.) I have Hollyhocks in various colors, and Malva zebrina. I'll send you any or all of these for postage, since you're a newbie. One word of caution---hellebores are rather tricky to germinate. Since you say this is only your second year of gardening, I'd give them a pass for now. Try to trade for baby plants instead.

I hope you can control lily-of-the-valley, it goes a little out of hand when ignored... As for the flowers, try gardenias. I have them in full shade here too. The blooms are VERY fragrant (sometimes overwhelming when close). They do quite nicely, with no problems. It even fills the requirement of "growing year round." BUT, they don't bloom year round D: Ignore that huge topic about gardenias. The trick is to just leave them alone, or mix in a little slow-release acid fertilizer. A little note: There are actually quite a number of shrubs that do well in shade, even flowering ones! Just look up some azaleas, camellias, or hydrangeas (I've got all three!) They're just not scented much. Here is a link that might be useful: So you want to grow a gardenia, huh?

Most of my hummer plants like sun. I have a trumpet vine in the shade in back, but a lot of my other things aren't hummer draws. My shade gardens include (in no particular order), besides the hosta and columbine you mention, toad lilies, foxglove, primrose, Japanese primrose, japanese anenome, Solomon's seal, spiderwort, monkshood, astilbe, trillium, jack-in-the-pulpit, ostrich fern, Christmas fern, Japanese painted fern, tall coral bells, mayapple, scottish bellflower, oakleaf hydrangea, hydrangea, goldenstar, goats beard, holly, obedient plant, rhododendron, azalea, rose Zephirine Drouhin, lily of the valley, pulmonaria, foamflower, lamium, forget-me-not, and bleeding heart, among other things. I also had a clematis that would bloom there, but I don't recall the variety. The left side of the bed is dry shade under a willow tree. The right side is more moist shade. Certain things will grow in one or the other, but not both. The hummers like coral bells. Not sure what else they went for back there, maybe foxglove?

Another lots of great pics GH.I have missed your postings. Gosh I like that Hibiscus what a pretty colour and those markings very nice. Daisy's are a good stand by plant very welcome and a cheery flower. The Liliums are beautiful as is the Day lily.....Cheers..MM.