Paulsiu, Perhaps in your zone the plants you tried which did not work do need more sun? Down here we keep them all outa the sun and your little trouble spot is perfect for them. Our hostas and heuchera struggle and most people don't want to do the watering necessary to keep them going. Most of the time the heuchera just up and die on us.. I won't even waste my money on them or the bleeding hearts either. Hostas if given enough water and fertilizer survive but never get as big and lush as they do up north. Its _almost_ not worth the effort down here. Why don't you try some ferns that are hardy to your zone? I bet they'd love it in that spot.

Vicki, I think you can safely move them for a couple of weeks yet in Zone 4B. I personally prefer to move them in the spring because you don't have the leaves to contend with...it's just easier. But, if you want to move them now, no worries! When we moved from Z4b to Zone 5a in early October, I planted 4 hostas that I just couldn't resist at a late season sale and all 4 survived! Char

I agree, it's hard to decide between practical and pretty. I love Bradford Pears. They remind me of the street where I grew up, lined on both sides with Bradfords and in spring it was like magic snow when they were in bloom, but most 'professional' gardeners don't really like them. I think if you can stick with a relatively native species you like, then you are ok... I also think a lot of this has to do with where you live. If you have a tree protected by lots of other trees, houses, etc you may have a better chance than if you have one big tree on a relatively empty lot. Plus, as JR says- when there is a storm that big, it doesn't much matter, you do what you can. The Mobile Botanical Garden Plant sale is this weekend if anyone in the area is looking for good stuff- we got a terrific Satsuma tree there last fall- and we already have Satsumas ripening to show for it!

Haha! Glad to know you’re not planning a midnight theft!! Now is a good time to plant. If you wait too long to plant the roots may not get established before a freeze sets in. I don’t know what zone you are in. I’m in Milwaukee WI and freeze can come as early as late October. Give the roots at least 6 weeks to acclimate. Oh, buy some cheap plant markers or even tongue depressors to mark what hostas you plant where. Good luck!