How to make your garden bloom

The West's best flowers for borders, beds, bouquets, and containers

Colorful plants for shade gardens

Plant some of these beauties for great garden color, even in shade

Photo via Proven Winners , story by Kathleen N. Brenzel

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Hosta hybrids

Hostas come in a virtual wardrobe of shapes, textures, and colors. Depending on variety, their leaves may be heart-shaped, round, oval, or lance-shaped; glossy or dull; smooth or quilted; blue, green, or yellow.

We especially love the cool, bluish green ‘Sagae’ (pictured); it grows 2 feet tall, and makes a stunning accent in a blue-green glazed container. The perennial also sends up white flowers in late summer.

Zones 1–10, 14–21.