North, Toronto Canada. so far my hostas are the only ones growing well in my backyard where it's shaded.

hosta gardens can be really quite pretty. There are so many sizes, colors and shapes to choose from. Combining a few of them is so lovely. They are also pretty hardy but not invasive. They make decent ground cover. Maybe introduce a couple shade loving natives with it or a few ferns if you'd like.

If it were me I would start with a google or pintrest search of "hosta garden". Maybe also "shade garden"

also, I'm in WI and some people plant Solomon seal and/or bleeding hearts (native here) in their shade gardens with much success.

you could perhaps might even have room for a bird bath to add a element and something bird friendly. If it's not too narrow? It's the biggest draw in our yard, especially in the winter.

Thank you for your suggestions! Will definitely try looking into pinterest!! Sometimes we forget what we can actually do to the location because we are so busy trying to fight and fix it!!!

Would you recommend putting the weed barrier in between the hostas along the side of the house? I read online that it might create mold and not good for the plant roots but the weeds are thriving... ??

I personally hate fabric weed barrier for a garden. After hours of having to pull it out from old garden beds. The problem is that more aggressive weeds still grew thru when the seeds land on top, so it was all interlaced. Like a woven together weed carpet. It was such a PITA to tear out. Others might feel differently.

From what I have understood is your best defense against weeds taking over, are strong healthy plants that are claiming the spot already.

When we started planting again, we layered thick cardboard under mulch in between the plants. The cardboard breaks down by the time the plants grow to fill in the spots.

I also go by the rule a 50 cent plant in a $5 hole is better then a $5 plant in a 50 cent hole. Work your soil a bit and take out any big chunks of weed roots you can. Be careful of spreading any seeds of the weeds you are pulling. IMO a little extra work now goes a long way later.

That area is a little narrow, that is your only limitation.

here is a photo to show some of the hosta and fern choices. You can combine a few of the smaller ones. They also have coral bells in the front, which are nice. Native to north america, if I remember correctly.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/111745634477225188/

depends on the size of the hostas and the space you have. Hostas can be cut down and grow back, we have some on the side of the house that get mowed every so often. but again it would depend on the sizes.

There are other options like coral bells (can be more expensive is their down fall) or maybe wild ginger.

How much space do you have?

I'd wait to plant till early fall for 2 reasons..

the extra heat will stress any kind of new planting.2nd, if you have that many weeds growing, you should consider just keeping the area smothered for now. You'll make it a lot easier on yourself in the future.

When planting make sure you put thick cardboard in between the plants to keep any weeds at bay that might of survived the smothering and to help keep any new weed seeds from planting themselves.

once your hostas are established, they should be split every 3 years or so.

That being said..splitting doesn't really help the issue of them covering your sidewalk if they are too big leaved. You will either actually cut them back during the year OR find a smaller size leaf hosta or perennial. There are plenty of online search tools to help you narrow that down. Even just google, "minature" or "small leaf " hosta

also Check out wild ginger. It's Native (which means it wont give you an extra maintenance nightmare later from trying to control something invasive) hardy, Grows great in heavy shade and doesn't grow too large.

If I were you, I would do what I could to do it right this time so you aren't going back again to fix it.