Actually, we are pretty much crazy about them.
Anything that enjoys hanging out in the shade
as much as we do is all right by us. Hosta plants
are just about the most hardy, most reliable,
and most forgiving shade perennial around. And
we have plenty of them!
Amity Farm has been planning all winter,
and we have lots of new hostas, and other ‘shady
ladies’ (!) in our beds this
year. Epimediums and Heucheras are
hot tickets for 2008. Take a look at our list
of varieties and
see what plants you MUST HAVE for your gardens;
we are happy to share them all! Our farm kitties,
Chassis and Diesel, will wander through the
woods with you.
Happily, hostas transplant well all season long.
Ours are field grown (well, forest grown) in
good glacial till right on our 11-acre wooded
property, which makes for strong roots and a
good transition to your shady spot. Just because
they are happily spreading their toes under our
trees doesn’t mean they aren’t excited
about growing in other folk’s gardens – I
hear them chattering about that daily. We will
dig up your selections and send them home with
you, only shedding an occasional tear.
Most green thumbs will tell you that gardens
featuring shade plants should offer filtered
or reflected sunlight of some kind. (We don’t
recommend planting anything in a cave or under
a rock, for instance.) So, most of the beds at
Amity Farm receive dappled light through the
tree branches, or afternoon shade as the sun
passes across the sky. But, as sure as we tell
you that, there are also quite a number of sun-tolerant
hostas here. Notice we did not say sun-LOVING…
The best news of all is that hostas are generally
content to live on the dry side if there is enough
shade. That means they can be planted under that
maple tree between all those roots, and still
get enough to drink.
At Amity Farm, you will also find a selection
of companion plants that enjoy the company of
our hostas. (At least that’s what they
tell us.) Ferns, epimedium, columbine, goatsbeard,
and a growing list of other beauties will have
lots of impact in your shady nook, adding their
colorful flowers and foliage to the mix. We are
also featuring Amity
Farm Collections,
plant groupings based on fun themes to add to
your gardening amusement. Shade-tolerant plants
don’t have to be boring. Come see for yourself!
We will be open only on the weekends, starting
in late-April 2008. Call ahead if you like and
we’ll give you the details. We are just
a 30-minute drive from Columbus, Ohio, near the
tiny village of Alexandria,
on highway 37 between Johnstown and Granville.
Cash and checks are cheerfully accepted. Sorry,
no mail or phone orders.
Please wear your old shoes.
You know, we think you'll really dig this place
