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KaylyRed wrote: I like to keep things lush and pretty and low-maintenance. For height, I'd probably go with a shrub or two. I like hydrangea arborescens 'Annabelle.' (Just personally, I'm not crazy about the macrophylla or mophead hydrangeas in zone 5. I've had too many heartaches with them not being quite winter hardy enough and ending up with foliage but not a single bloom, since they bloom on old wood. Even the ones that are supposed to bloom on new wood have been disappointing here for me. 'Endless Summer' was an Endless Disappointment. heh!)
I have a pieris 'Forest Flame' and it's really eye-catching in the spring. I second peony8 on that one! Should get about 4-5' tall and just as wide. Mine doesn't appear to be a particularly fast grower, but I've just had it this season so far. Your mileage may vary. Some taller perennials that would also add some punch include cimicifuga (aka: actaea) and aruncus (goat's beard). Both would enjoy moisture, though, so keep that in mind if your site tends to be dry.
For impact beneath the shrubs, how about some hostas? I think that area's begging for hostas, but...I'm a bit biased because I adore them. I'm not the hosta officianado that some people here on the forums are, but there are some lovely large hostas like 'Krossa Regal,' 'Big Daddy,' 'Sum and Substance,' and plenty of others where that came from that could add some definite WOW to your site. On the smaller side, one of my all-time favorites is 'Pineapple Upside Down Cake' (shown in the photo I attached).
Hostas look great with heucheras, and heucheras look great with tiarella. Both are nice low-maintenance additions to a shady spot. I'd plant them in and around the larger hostas. Tiarella will spread by runners, but isn't invasive.
A nice stand of variegated Solomon's seal might also look very pretty there. The flowers show up in spring, but the attractive foliage lasts all season. It complements hosta and heuchera well, too.
To add some daintier shapes, you might try some of the many types of columbine. There are lots of different heights to choose from, from the shorter Biedermeier to the taller varieties like McKanna and the wildflower, aquilegia canadensis. They have a fairly long bloom period, which is an added bonus.
In zone 5, I don't much care for spiderwort. Mine was thuggish. And if it spreads too much it's a real beast to try and dig out, because the roots are very thick and fleshy. Again, your mileage may vary...but I tend to agree with you--tradescantia is rude. hehe
For ground cover, I love sweet woodruff. For me it spreads rather slowly. Some people say it's more assertive. Again, depends on the site.
