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I just rounded up a area in the NE corner of my house that is tucked between the garage and house. The area gets maybe 2 to 3 hours of sun a day tops. Got tired of mowing up a small hill where my A/C sits so I was hoping to plant a small shade garden. I'm a little worried because the lack of sun and the hot air my A/C kick out in the summer and would love some suggestions. I would like to hide the A/C unit if I can, if not it's understandable. Pic below.

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Also I'm going to move the arborvitae shrub.

I will have to think about something to put there but you do not want to block the air flow of the ac unit. Something small up front to take your eye off of it would be best.

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This is going to shock the regulars (NOT!!!) --- get some good (not big-box store) Hosta and add a few Heucheras for variety. That spot looks perfect for that combo.

andy10917 wrote:This is going to shock the regulars

Let me Guess. Not Hosta?

andy10917 wrote:Hosta

You recommend Hosta lol thats a good one.

Hosta are nice. I like hosta. I strongly prefer something that blooms, however...

Things like a Miss Kim lilac would look nice, constrain themselves pretty well, and bloom beautifully in May. Coral bells, astilbe, liriope, and anything from the shady nook area of the gardening center would do fine. Impatiens produce good summer color and look great on 2-3 hours per day of sun.

Definitely establish a 2' minimum margin around the AC unit, though. That'll help keep the air flow up around it.

I think a specimen hosta or two with double impatiens would look great back there! The impatiens will stay small with nice bright blooms all summer and early fall. The hostas will fill it in, but as Morph said, keep a dmz around the a/c unit.

Great idea's everyone. I am going to take a few idea's from everyone.

Now is it to late in the season to plant hosta's and impatien's?

Impatiens yes not sure about hosta most of those are not doing to good this time of year. (I think they die aback after the first frost)

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Impatiens, yes. They'll drop at frost, so they're a summer-type thing. Andy will know about the hosta, but I suspect that spring is better for them too.

For Hostas, we're nearing the end of the best time to plant them now. If you have them by next weekend, go ahead. Otherwise, hold until next April. Hostas look sad this time of year, but the roots establish well. They need a bit of time even after frost for the roots to establish.

Look at some Carex (sedge). They like moist shade and are mostly evergreen. Solid green, variegated, red/bronze. Some good ones are Evergold, Ice Ballet, Red Rooster, etc. Santa Rosa Gardens mail order is a good source.

I want to buy sedge, Carex Pensylvanica appears to work well where I live in the New York suburbs. I'm told seed doesn't work. My area is about 5 X 20 feet. Any suggestions please?

Suggestions for sourcing Carex pensylvanica? Or suggestions for alternative shade garden plants?