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[SHADEGARDENS] New Member Bio

I notice that some new members are not giving us any clues to their
location, so I'll say upfront that I live in Bloomington, Indiana. Our
standard suburban lot contains a small house built in 1935 and
approximately 23 trees, including an enormous old shagbark hickory in the
middle of the back yard. After a quarter of a century in this location,
I'm becoming resigned to the fact that our space (especially for sun-
loving plants) is rather limited!

Some years ago I became very interested in hostas and now grow about 100
different varieties (some of you may already know me from the Hosta
Robin). Also hellebores, heucheras, ferns, arisaemas, and all the hardy
bulbs--minus crocus and tulips, which our squirrels, voles, and rabbits
like to devour--and other miscellaneous plant material. Native plants are
another interest of mine, and I grow those in preference to exotics
whenever possible.

My current question for the group is, does anyone know anything about
growing fuchsias in my zone? (I'm talking about standards, not hanging
baskets). Before we moved here we knew and grew fuchsias in the Bay Area,
where they thrived, and I miss them. Wayne Winterrowd can grow them in
Vermont, but I'm in the Lower Midwest. I think they would winter over in
our basement; my main concern is whether they could survive our hot, muggy
summers. Any advice?

Bobbi Diehl
Bloomington, IN
zone 5/6
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