You can plant or transplant hostas just about anytime during the growing season. If planted now and they have leaves you may need to protect them from frost. As far as other things go, how big of an area is it and does the roof overhang keep it dry as well as shaded? How is the soil there (sand, clay, etc)?

tj

Hosta are a very good choice. You may also like Astilbe, ivy, ferns, or impatience.

Hostas are the #1 perennial...there's just so many different types, sizes, colors. You can find some to fit in almost any where. With other shade plants, like tsujajunkie said, it depends on your soil. In my all shade beds, I have wild ginger, solomon's seal, jacob's ladder, bleeding hearts, ferns, astilbes, columbine, woodland poppies, helleborus, heucheras, sweet woodruff, hydrangeas. Don't be surprised if your "little garden area" gets bigger every year!

Nothing beats hostas for the shade. I've planted them in late spring, summer and fall, though I've had the best luck transplanting when they are still dormant. Leave the leaves in tact for the winter, it helps winter-protect the crown.

Brunnera 'Jack Frost' is a BEAUTIFUL pop in the shade. One of my favorites.

I also like Astilbe - don't deadhead the flowers, you can choose from those with green or purplish foliage. I think 'Red Fanal' has the darker, glossy foliage, red blooms. 'Bridal Veil' is supposed to be the nicest of the white flowering..I think this one looks nice paired with white variegated hostas.

I second Heucheras, I have purple foliage with my green hostas, a nice contrast.

For something taller, Annabelle Hydrangea. Just cut them back 8 inches from the ground in early spring before new growth emerges. Don't fertilize much, if at all, the blooms will get too heavy and flop to the ground. The spent blooms add interest to a fall/winter garden - I leave them in tact. And, cut flowers during the summer months make for nice arrangements in a vase.

Bleeding hearts bloom in the spring, and are good around Hostas, the foliage tends to die back in the summer, especially during droughts. Give it plenty of water after it's done blooming to prolong the dieback if you want. The nearby hostas will help cover the empty space of the bleeding hearts later in the season.

Have fun!

I agree, hostas! There are a lot of different types to choose from. The common green or green/white are easy to find and very hardy. Are you on Madison freecycle? You might ask there, they come up fairly often. I'm also in Madison and might have some to share if you remind me in a month or so.

Love heucheras! I have a dark purple variety (can't remember name off the top of my head) and Creme Brulee. I have not had much luck with Astilbe. Moved them to a couple different places because they weren't doing very well over the last few years.

I hate hostas, much prefer to go with ferns. It gives more of a forest floor look, which is good or bad depending on taste.

I like ferns, too, but most of them may need more water than might be available under a roof overhang. Same with astilbes (although a. chinesis can handle less water than most).

As long as it is a small area, I would do a great deal of additional organic matter, worked deeply into the soil. When you plant your hostas, ferns, astibles, and/or heucheras, really soak them into the rich soil and mulch them down good. Water should not be an issue for them.

Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I've printed this out so I can research all of the plants mentioned. The garden area will be about 3x8' once it's finished. Although now I'm thinking we should extend it further along the other side also!