Hi! Yes, the area is shady most of the time. It has the UGLIEST chain-link fence. I also can't get many plants to grow next to the fence in the shade because there are both a maple and cedar tree growing together. I HATE the cedar tree, and I'm really thinking hard about girdling it. If I can find a vine that will flower in the shade, I'm thinking of trying to get it to climb the tree as well. Somewhere out here in the Hamptons (NY) there's a "Rose Tree". the people had a really tall, old tree that died, and they planted climbing roses all around it. The roses climbed the tree, and makes an umbrella of roses. I've seen wild Wisteria do that too. I would do Wisteria, but I don't want to have to wait 7 - 10 years before it blooms.
From what I know, I think our zones are really similar. From what I've been able to find out, I'm on the border between 6b & 7a.
Here's a link to the vine:
http://www.invasive.org/species/subject.cfm?sub=10090

Hi!
I pretty much started new with my house. I only brought some day-lilies, and some Lilac "suckers" with me. I had some friends and other people donate a lot of my perennials to my garden. I have a Habitat for Humanity house, and they did some basic landscaping, but the local garden club donated a lot of plants to my home and a few others. It's been gradually growing. I can't wait to divide my perennials; my friend is due to move into her new Habitat home within the next month or so... It's almost like starting with a blank canvas.

Do you know of any flowering shade vines, that would be pretty invasive? I have a yucky chain link fence next door to me, that I want to cover and hide. Have you heard of something called a "Chocolate Vine"? I think it's related to Wisteria. The blooms are supposed to smell like chocolate.

Love your pictures, Beverly. I have read on here that several people are master gardeners. What does that mean? I am very cautious about when I plant my annuals and veggies. We have also been know to have frost very late in May. Our friend owns a flower shop/landscapping business and he says you aren't safe in NE Ohio until the end of May. I love the pictures of all the butterflies. What kind of a plant is that?

Hi! I saw your comment in the perennials group. How long have you been at your new home? It looks like the plants have been there forever.
I look forward to chatting with you, and hopefully learning from you.

You're garden is stunning and your Frenchies are also beautiful! They took me away from my garden focus for a bit!

what a sweetheart! Thank you so much. Encouragement always helps. I am really excited about checking into it. Is it a seasonal course or is it offered year round? I opened a small retail greenhouse business last May. It went really well my first season. Opening week went well this year but the past week with our high winds and rainy weather it has been very slow. If it is only offered seasonal I will have to work it around my business hours. I know alot of things about gardening , but yet I feel like I don't know enough. There is always something new to learn out there in the gardening world. I feel that gardening is very relaxing, peaceful, rewarding and being close to God. Thank you again for your kind words of encouragement.

Thank you so much for all of your helpful information. I really appreciate it.