After reading your post, the first thing that comes to mind is Polemonium/Jacob's Ladder--it blooms sort of lavender in late Spring here (mid-to-late May; it's blooming now here) with delicate, almost fern-like foliage. Japanese painted fern doesn't bloom but is a nice textural contrast to other shade lovers. I like the interesting foliage of Virginia knotweed/Polygonum virginianum for contrast--it has an interesting rusty-red chevron on each variegated green & white leaf, altho' it's a late-season, part shade bloomer with insignificant cranberry-red flowers. Trycirtis hirta/toad lily is completely different from many other shade-loving perennials and has interesting blooms--the ones I've planted in full shade are thriving & multiplying each year. They offer very late season white blooms with purple speckles--the bees LOVE them. Alchemilla mollis/Lady's mantle & Heuchera/Coral Bells 'Purple Palace' put on a season-long show in both my part sun & full shade beds every year without requiring any attention from me, making them two of the most carefree perennials in my garden. In my experience, neither are bothered by pests. The Heuchera offers a decided contrast in foliage color while the Lady's Mantle offers a foliage contrast in shape and texture that is pleasing season-long. I won't discount Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' for tiny, true blue flowers in early spring but it's been my experience the plants are prey to some sort of disease or infestation that turns a certain portion of the foliage dark after they bloom and IMO renders them less attractive as a result (which, thankfully, the surrounding hostas soon conceal).

Hi Steve I have a Red October Hosta and Chinese Sunrise Hosta for you, and lots of pots. Let me know what size you need (or don't need). I would like some Impatiens omeiana if possible. I lost mine due to ill-planned vacations during the droughts. I will be bringing: Tovara virginiana - varigated Painter's Palette Persicaria red dragon Hosta Red October Hosta Chinese Sunrise Joe Pye Weed Chocolate Joe Pye Weed Cory Toad Lily Looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday. Annie

Paula, Thank you for the offer but I don't collect gobs and gobs of seeds. I just collect a few seed heads of things I think others might like to grow and a few for myself for the next year if they are annuals. I shouldn't say this here on the garden web but I toss most seeds in the trash as I am cleaning up my gardens ( take a deep breathe, stop gasping...lol). I think this year I will collect more than usual because I feel like a cheap skate when I see some of the other seed packets in swaps...lol I have added the petunias to your gift package and again, thank you for the offer. I will pass this time though. Lisa

Hi Amazin , sorry I'm new at this web stuff ( mostly just a lurker) and couldn't find were I wrote to you the 1st time ... me feel so dumb with this puter stuff... but yes I have 9 begonias and 6 are from Logee's, some are named and other are ( pass a along's ) ..... Named ones= Begonia " Richardsiana" B." Snow Capped " B. "Tea Rose" B. "Hot Tamale" B. "Good and Plenty " B, "Tiny Gem " B. " Silver Queen " The Richardsiana has in pass week took a big flop , and so not sure whats up with it , taken it back into house , hope it was just heat stroking from 100 + daze we have been in for pass couple of weeks here in nastyville , so not sure about it. Two other's unknown named ones but pretty just the same and last one I think mite be B. " Sophia Cecile " not sure. I see you have " My Special Angel " have been looking at it in the catalogs . sorry I'm so long winded.... but sure there must be something in your long list that we can work with . P.s. I wont make it to any plant swap so..... not sure how we would do this if we've a mind to ???? But thanks for your time and effort if thats the only way .