Shade gardens thrive in the High Sierra climate and loyally return each year despite months under mounds of snow. All you need to do is pick the right hardy plants and provide a moist soil rich in humus. They provide lovely foliage and delicate color to satisfy the gardener longing for the sight of blooms and beauty after the long winter.

Successful and hardy in the 5000 foot altitude, the following are a solid foundation for your shade garden:

Hostas: There are many types with foliage ranging from ribbon-like to broad leaves; from dappled cream and white to a gorgeous blue color. Some have delicate blooms as well and vary in size and height. It is essential to use a bait (environmentally safe, of course) as they are extremely susceptible and attractive to snails, slugs, and in my garden, the ever-present earwigs.

Astilbe: Another shade garden foundation plant, Astilbe has fern-like foliage with spiked fluffy flowers in red, white, pink, or purple hues. They are able to endure single digit temperatures and return each year.

Columbine grows wild in my garden, but I have also selected some gorgeous nursery specimens with blooms in varied colors that add depth and texture to the garden. These are a delicate arching plant that spreads easily and can fill an area if you want it to.

My personal favorite is Bleeding Heart (Dicentra). There are two types of Bleeding Heart; the old-fashioned type that blooms in Spring and then dies back, and a smaller type with fern-like leaves that blooms all season. Both have arching fronds of blooms in pink and white, red and white, or cream-colored heart shapes that are so sweet and lovely. I think they are especially dramatic with the blooms of Columbine swaying among the Bleeding Heart. Bleeding Heart spreads by roots and is quite easy to transplant and multiply, though it does fine in spreading all by itself.

Showcase plants: Ligularia is a stately tall plant with mid-green broad leaves and tall spires of yellow flowers. It makes a statement of grace and color in the shade garden. The leaves wilt easily, so it needs a daily watering and moist environment. Pulmonaria or lungwort - an unattractive name for such a pretty flower - has unusual blooms in pink and blue. I have another type of “wort” in my garden that I have dug up and moved with me at least once. I have lost the name of this specimen other than knowing it is a type of "wort", but it has the most beautiful and unusual magenta flowers, and someday I hope to re-identify it so that I can add another to the garden.

Primroses are lovely little flowers that act as perennials in my garden. They are available in so many pretty colors. I think they look especially appealing interspersed among Irish Moss and Scotch Moss ground cover.

I believe all of these plants will survive in any moist and shady environment no matter the altitude.

There is no special Winter protection that I provide for my High Sierra shade garden. It is blanketed with snow during the Winter, and it returns beautifully in the Spring after snowmelt with its delicate shapes and hues.