We had to cut down a dangerous spruce tree, close to the house,  about 5 years ago. I was devastated…. That tree gave shade to my extensive hosta/shade garden….  and the house, but what can you do, it had to go. 

For some unknown reason, an idea popped in my head. Why not use umbrellas to shade the plants?? I found a few umbrellas kicking around the house and , viola!!, happy hostas...happy shade garden! What a relief!

A few weeks later, a friend found some lovely old and  antique parasols/umbrellas for my garden. I quickly found more spots for them and put them up. I think they add a nice touch. (The bonus is, also, when it is going to rain, I can, of course snap the umbrella down.) In the Fall,  I take them (the umbrellas)  all down to store. I leave the poles in the ground to use for the next year.

Happy gardening. Jody Kallis