White Flower Farm
Starter Shade Collection
Best complete starter kit for gardeners transforming empty, shady outdoor spaces.
Transform shady garden spots into lush retreats with the Starter Shade Collection from White Flower Farm. This curated set includes 26 plants, featuring four varieties of Hosta and native Lady Ferns, designed to cover approximately 66 square feet. Once established, these perennials offer drought tolerance and bloom from July through September, providing lasting beauty. Shipped bareroot or pot grown for convenient spring planting, this collection ensures a vibrant, low-maintenance shade garden.
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
1787
/ 3269
#1787 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Lifespan
Perennial
/ Perennial
Who it's for
- Novice gardeners seeking foolproof plant combinations for shaded areas
- Budget-conscious shoppers looking for better value on plant bundles
- Homeowners needing reliable color in low-light garden spots
Who should skip it
- Designers wanting full control over specific plant species selection
- Busy individuals unable to plant immediately upon delivery
- Gardeners living in extreme or non-standard hardiness zones
Performance breakdown
Shade Adaptability
Expertly curated selection thrives in challenging low-light garden environments.
Maintenance Effort
Perennial nature and drought tolerance ensure minimal long-term upkeep.
Coverage Efficiency
Twenty-six plants provide dense, immediate impact for medium-sized garden beds.
Hardiness Range
Broad zone compatibility makes this collection accessible to most regional climates.
Plant Diversity
Balanced mix of Hostas and ferns offers reliable, classic textural contrast.
Establishment Reliability
One-year guarantee provides significant peace of mind for new gardeners.
Key Specs
Lifespan
Perennial
Total Plant Count
26
Coverage Area
Approximately 66 sq ft
Bloom Time
July through September
USDA Hardiness Zones
3 to 9
Mature Height
3 feet
Sun Exposure
Part Shade to Shade
Includes
4 Hosta varieties and Lady Ferns
Features
- Creates beautiful shade gardens
- Includes 4 Hosta varieties and Lady Ferns
- Provides 26 plants total
- Covers approximately 66 square feet
- Drought tolerant once established
- Perennial lifespan for lasting beauty
- Shipped bareroot or pot grown
- Backed by a one-year guarantee
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise the Starter Shade Collection for its exceptional quality and plant health upon arrival. The superior packaging ensures delicate shade perennials like Hostas and Astilbes arrive moist and undamaged, ready for immediate planting. This curated collection is highly valued for reliably solving the challenge of low light gardening, leading to high establishment success rates in the first season. While the quality is undisputed, some reviewers note that the premium price results in smaller plant sizes than anticipated compared to local nurseries. Despite this minor value perception friction, the overall consensus strongly recommends this collection for gardeners prioritizing convenience and guaranteed success with healthy, expertly selected shade plants.
Know before you buy
The collection features a curated mix of four distinct Hosta varieties paired with native Lady Ferns. This combination is specifically selected to provide varied textures and foliage colors that thrive in low-light environments.
This collection is designed to cover approximately 66 square feet. When planting, ensure you have enough room for these perennials to reach their mature height of 3 feet as they fill in over time.
Yes, once established, these perennials are notably drought-tolerant. While they will require regular watering during their first season to settle in, they become quite resilient thereafter.
The Starter Shade Collection is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9. This wide range makes them suitable for most gardens across the United States, provided they are planted in part-shade to full-shade locations.
Depending on the season and variety, your plants will arrive either bareroot or pot-grown. Both methods are standard for spring planting and are designed to help the perennials establish strong root systems quickly.
You can look forward to blooms from July through September. The collection is primarily focused on lush foliage, but these late-summer flowers provide a nice seasonal interest to your garden.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.