So I started planting, pulling out tons of wild vinca as I went. So much hard work. I started at the bottom of the hill closest to the house.

From another angle. I want large hosta towards the back and figured the sooner I get them planted, the sooner they will reach their mature size. You probably can't see them well, but I have Key West, Bressingham Blue, Humpbacked Whale, Gone with the Wind, Smokey Bear, Brutus and probably need more. I am also trying hydrangea for the first time.

And so this is where I ended last October. I found lots of tree roots, but the soil was good, dark, and friable. Lots of rocks as is typical of our area.

Spring ahead to 2014, this pic is today. Work is still in process. I am continuing to plant many new hosta. Some new ones include: Goodness Gracious, Key Lime Pie, All That Jazz, Wishing Well, Parhelion, Tequila Sunrise, Mama Mia, L'il Abner.

Also working on placing stones to serve as steps up the hill. Not so much for visitors (not the most stable), but for me to get around to tend the garden. I still have plans for more very large hosta, probably more hydrangea, and other companions to fill in.

To the right, out of the frame, is a very large wild thorny rose (they grow all over our area) which I hope to be able to eradicate and plant a nice evergreen conifer of some type. That may take more muscle than I have.

Lots more work in store for me, but I love every minute I spend in my garden.

Thanks for looking and for reading my story!

Beautiful,but where in Ohio is it that hilly/ All I ever saw when I went through there was flat,flat land with farms as far as the eye can see? Your new garden resembles mine,and I am on the side of a small mountain! Phil

Nice work, hostahosta! All the hard work has really paid off, and now you can enjoy your view so much more!

Oh, I do so love such big projects, when someone else is doing them! You have a big project there, and it is far enough along to know you will get it done. Looking GOOD.

I note also that the other side of your drive(?), you have hosta planted as well. Good idea. The approach to your house will have welcoming arms to embrace guests, or yourself as you return from a trip to buy all that mulch and MORE HOSTA.

Please be sure to keep pictures of the process. I use my photos to see things later that I missed at the time of doing the work. All my work is on flat ground, and I must build in some height as I go. Nothing so impressive as you have, just a pile of mulch, a pedestal, something to catch the eye from the uniform flatness. Your hosta have naturally formed bleachers, so you can stand at the bottom and see every one.

Thanks for your comments. Another pic after a few hours of work this afternoon. More hosta, some ferns, and more stone steps.

Phil: We do have hills in Ohio, not mountains! Seeing your pics I have often thought our gardens are very similar! The glaciers made it just north of here, pushing all the rocks and dirt, etc ahead creating this area called the Hocking Hills. Quite the Ohio tourist destination for hiking, birdwatching, canoing the Hocking River, and romantic get aways.

Moccasin: That is a paver walkway that goes around the side of the house. Hosta on the left of it are in a small bed up against the house.

Looks very nice! I like hostas on a slope...it's like movie theater seating, in a way- you have a view of all of them.

Sheesh, hostahosta, now I have no excuse not to tackle our weed, bramble, vinca infested hill.

You (and yes, Phil, too) are an inspiration. That hill will look so marvelous before you know it. Love the bird bath, too! Guess I need to start looking for stones to use as steps also. It will be so much fun watching your garden develop.

Cynthia

Looks great, Hostahosta. That's a really nice-looking area for hostas. Wow, just wait til those babies fill out! I love your new choices.

Ever been to THIS here town, Hostahosta? I know Phil hasn't. ; ) Seems to me they're doin' a little bragging. Hillhogs!

Don B.

Nice job, hostahosta!
The hill will be awesome when they mature. Looks like you have room for even more!

Ohio has lots of hills. At least my county does. I have a similar hill I'm planting hostas on but mostly the older varieties and noids.
Hostahosta, I've been to Hocking Hills. Love the Rock House!

Ah, now I see it is not wide enough for a vehicle except a golf cart! Plus, if that is right outside your house, I can see the real benefit of making the view a super good one. You are already reaping the benefits of the garden....I bet you cannot wait to get back to the next session.....it works like that for me.

Looking really good - you made lots of progress! :)

It looks wonderful, you can see how much work you did, it has really paid off.

Six more hosta to plant from the splurge last week. It takes so long because I agonize over where to put each one.

Don: Never been to Seven Hills. We are in southeast Ohio, about an hours out of Columbus.

Serenity: Your hill looks great! And similar to mine, even to the stones. Where in Ohio are you?

Where I lived in Ohio (Sandusky County) was nothing but flat farmland as far as the eye can see. You have to go east and south to find the hills.

Karen

Promise us now that you will post pictures of your garden for, at least, the next three springs. Its gonna be great!

Next, some garden art.

Hostahosta.....I'm from Holmes County down in Amish country.

But Harry, I thought hostas WERE garden art! ; )

Don B.

Just beautiful! You have created a little bit of paradise for yourself on this good earth!

Wow, what a difference a year makes! Imagine what it will look like in another year or two. I hope you keep us updated. You have created something really special that you will enjoy so much!

Hosta hosta, that is truly remarkable - the before and after! I am in awe!

Loved the journey through time.... I love how you've made the steps and created a pathway to be able to reach all your hostas with a good stretch. It truly is beautiful. The colour combinations, the spacing, the composition, it is all so very, very lovely.

So what do your neighbours say now! ;-). Or are they just speechless? You should be very proud of your work!

When you "are in the sunroom, gazing out at this", how long are you seated until the Hosta call you out again? :-)

P.S. The fact that Phil posted here makes this thread update so extra-special.

Oh, FANTASTIC garden, HH! Great choices in colors and textures, love the rocks all about and the nice touch of concrete here and there. Amazing the difference between what was and what now is! Just beautiful....all your hard work has sure paid off.

Thanks so much for the update.

Wonderful update! What a nice variety you have. How much nicer to gaze out at this than what you started with! Isn't it fun having a big space to plant so many hostas? It's looking so good.

I'm also gardening on a slope, so I like to see how others are doing it. I always like how bird baths look in a garden. I see you got your stone walkway made.

Just beautiful! All your hard work paid off!

I am looking forward to your updates.

Your garden is absolutely lovely! Congratulations on a job well done.

Phil is looking down smiling.

Love your garden progress. I note your blue bottle tree, keeps the spirit world content. And I have a similar Yankee Flipper bird feeder--although I took out the batteries because I felt sorry for the squirrels!

Your hosta are growing quickly, and with a space like your hillside, you can afford lots of big big hosta. Is Empress Wu among them? She is a fast grower, and so is Sum And Substance.Thanks for the update. Look forward to the next set of pictures.