Heart of the Garden

Hellebore

I found this on super sale in September so it hasn’t bloomed yet. Now, in January, it’s already sprouting new growth for Spring. The flowers look almost like plastic doodads from a 1950s church hat. Shades of light green and purple. Nature is a good graphic designer.

Toad lilly

This image is from Wikimedia Commons. I will take a photo of mine when it blooms in Spring. If you love orchids, you will lurv toad lilies. They are super hardy, shade-loving, bog dwellers. I think they tolerate clay too b/c my shade garden is a bit on the clay-y side. I want a yellow one next!

Coral Bells (Huechera)

They can get a little trashy but they are so hardy and humble. Also native to the northeast. Can do shade or sun.

Ghost Fern or Japanese Painted Fern

These are very ghosty and provide a nice contrast to the regular greens and hosta-shapes.

Bleeding Hearts

These are very Victorian and traditional, and have a short bloom time, but they bloom early and the arching hanging heart flowers are like jewelry. You can maniacally chop this root ball into pieces in the Fall to divide and propagate.