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Plants to grow in shaded area


Shade Plants – Top 20 Shade Perennials, Flowers & More

Choose the right shade perennials, annuals, flowers, shrubs, and trees By Janet Loughrey, Garden Writer & Photographer

Gardening in the shade has the reputation of being difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. By choosing the right shade-loving plants, it’s possible to have a beautiful landscape even in limited light. Some of the most popular garden plants are reliable standbys for a reason: with the right location and care, they provide season-long enjoyment even for novice gardeners.

Here are some of the best shade plants to get you started on the road to a lush, shady oasis:

On this page: Foliage Plants | Flowering Plants | Trees | Online Learning

FOLIAGE PLANTS FOR SHADE

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Shadowland® ‘Autumn Frost’ hosta. Photo by Proven Winners.

HOSTA

Regarded as queen of the shade garden, and it’s easy to see why. Hosta is grown for its attractive foliage in a wide variety of colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes ranging from teacup to truck tire-sized. This tough-as-nails plant is reliably hardy in colder zones, and performs best when provided with rich, well-amended soil and regular water. Many varieties tolerate deep shade and difficult sites, such as underneath trees. They combine well with many woodland plants that grow in shade, including coral bells, ferns, and columbine. These long-lived favorites will reward you with years of reliable color in the garden.

Height/Spread:

2 inches to 4 feet tall, 5 inches to 6 feet wide

Zones:

3-9

Plants to Try:

Shadowland® ‘Autumn Frost’, ‘Patriot’, ‘Blue Angel’, ‘Golden Tiara’, or ‘June’.

Learn more about growing hostas.

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Primo® ‘Peachberry Ice’. Photo by Proven Winners.

CORAL BELLS

For a nearly endless choice of foliage colors, patterns and forms, coral bells (Heuchera) fits the bill. From lemon yellow to nearly black, there’s a hue to match every garden palette, making this a landscape designer’s dream plant. The flowers that explode like fireworks above the foliage in late spring/early summer are just the icing on the cake. The easy-care nature of this semi-evergreen perennial—including tolerance of a wide variety of light and soil conditions—makes this an ideal choice for most landscapes. They perform best in rich, well-draining soil that stays evenly moist. Coral bells are a versatile design element, suitable for mixed borders, mass plantings and containers.

Height/Spread:

8 to 12 inches tall, 1 to 2 feet wide; flower stalks can reach 2 to 3 feet tall

Zones:

3-9

Plants to Try:

Primo® ‘Peachberry Ice’, ‘Marmalade’, ‘Plum Pudding’, ‘Red Lightning’.

Learn more about growing coral bells.

Maidenhair fern. Photo by Janet Loughrey.

FERNS

Ferns are some of the oldest living plants, dating back to the age of the dinosaurs. A must-have addition to any woodland or shade garden, these reliable perennials are grown for their attractive fronds that lend texture and form to the landscape. There are dozens of garden-worthy species that are adapted to a wide variety of conditions. Most require rich soil and plenty of moisture, though some such as Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum) are drought-tolerant after establishment, making them a good choice for challenging sites such as dry shade. Ferns pair well with nearly any woodland shade plant such as primrose (Primula), bishop’s hat (Epimedium), hosta (Hosta), masterwort (Astrantia) and wood sorrel (Oxalis).

Height/Spread:

From the smallest fern in the world that measures just one-centimeter tall to tree-sized forms, there’s a size to fit every landscape.

Zones:

There’s a fern suitable to nearly every zone, from northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum, Z. 3) to species that thrive in tropical rain forests.

Plants to Try:

Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum), ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris), cinnamon fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum), maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum).

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Heart to Heart™ 'Rose Glow'. Photo by Proven Winners.

CALADIUM

For an exotic feel in the garden, few plants rival the bold impact of angel wings (Caladium). Made popular as a Victorian conservatory plant, this tropical annual is grown for its arrow-shaped leaves in hues from pure white to multi-colored variegation. It’s most valuable for adding vibrant color to the darkest corners of your yard where bright colors can be scarce. Caladium can be grown from tubers or purchased as plants. Since they require a lot of heat to grow, they will do best when obtained as plants for those in cooler climates or without a heat source such as a greenhouse or heating mat. Grow as a bedding plant or in containers and combine with impatiens, begonias, and fuchsias.

Height/Spread:

6 inches to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide

Zones:

10-11

Plants to Try:

Heart to Heart™ ‘Rose Glow’, ‘Miss Muffet’, ‘White Queen’, ‘Red Flash’.

Learn more about growing caladium plants.

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ColorBlaze® Rediculous™ coleus. Photo by Proven Winners.

COLEUS

One of the most popular summer annuals is coleus (Plectranthus, syn. Solenostemon), grown for its foliage that comes in a never-ending array of patterns, forms and colors. Coleus prefer rich soil that drains well and regular water, and can easily be reproduced from cuttings. Foliage color is best when planted in areas that get some direct light in the morning and protection from hot afternoon sun. This tropical is extremely versatile as a design element; use as a stand-alone accent, massed as bedding plants, or in front of a mixed border. Combine in containers with flowering annuals such as million bells, impatiens, or fuchsia.

Height/Spread:

2 to 5 feet tall, 3 feet wide

Zones:

10-11

Plants to Try:

ColorBlaze® Rediculous™, ’ ‘Black Dragon’, ‘Campfire’, ‘Wizard’.

Learn more about growing coleus.

Golden Japanese forest grass. Photo by Janet Loughrey.

JAPANESE FOREST GRASS

One of the few ornamental grasses that thrives in shade is Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra). This deciduous perennial grows in low, mounding clumps. Golden or variegated species are valuable for lighting up darker areas with their foliage. Tolerant of varying light conditions from partial sun to deep shade, Japanese forest grass prefers rich, well-draining soil and regular moisture. Design uses are many: grow as a groundcover, massed along a slope, as a foundation planting, in containers or in the front of a mixed border. The graceful, arching habit and flowing leaf texture contrasts beautifully alongside hostas, hellebores, ferns and coral bells.

Height/Spread:

1 to 2 feet tall, 2 feet wide

Zones:

5-9

Plants to Try:

‘Aureola’, ’All Gold’, ‘Albo Striata’, ‘Nicolas’.

See more foliage plants: Proven Winners: Fab Foliage Plants for Shady Spaces

FLOWERING PLANTS FOR SHADE

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Proven Accents® Pink Chablis®. Photo by Proven Winners.

DEADNETTLE

Deadnettle (Lamium) is an easy care, reliable groundcover that’s grown for its attractive multi-seasonal foliage and spring-blooming flowers of pink, white, or lavender. The light-colored silver, white, yellow, or variegated foliage is effective for brightening deeply shaded areas. This deciduous or semi-evergreen perennial thrives in a wide range of conditions, though it does best with partial to full shade and well-amended soil. This creeping groundcover fills in quickly and can grow in difficult sites such as under trees or in dry shade, providing a carpet of color throughout the growing season. Grow on a slope, in larger areas in need of quick-growing vegetation, at the front of a mixed border, or in containers. Deadnettle can grow aggressively in certain areas. See where it has been identified as invasive.

Height/Spread:

3 inches to 2 feet tall, 3 feet wide or greater

Zones:

4-9

Plants to Try:

Proven Accents® Pink Chablis®, ‘White Nancy’, ‘Golden Anniversary’, ‘Beacon Silver’, ‘Chequers’.

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‘Cutting Edge’ foamflower. Photo by Proven Winners.

FOAMFLOWER

Foamflower (Tiarella), a classic woodland plant indigenous to North America, makes a welcome addition to any native garden. The delicate habit of this dainty semi-evergreen perennial belies its toughness and reliability. Grown for its frothy flowers that bloom over an exceptionally long time, the heart-shaped, lobed leaves in various patterns provide color year-round in milder regions. Foamflower tolerates deep shade, but performs best with dappled light that simulates their native woodland habitat. Plant in containers, rock gardens, or massed as a groundcover. Combine with other spring bloomers such as violets, Siberian bugloss (Brunnera), creeping phlox, and bleeding heart.

Height/Spread:

8 to 12 inches tall, 1 to 2 feet wide

Zones:

4-9

Plants to Try:

‘Cutting Edge’, ‘Crow Feather’, ‘Jeepers Creepers’, ‘Neon Lights’, ‘Pink Skyrocket’.

'Pink-a-Blue' lungwort. Photo by: Proven Winners

LUNGWORT

One of the most welcome sights in spring is the delightful flowers and foliage of lungwort (Pulmonaria). Among the earliest perennials to bloom, the showy flowers—in shades of blue, pink, coral, and white—emerge simultaneously with the attractive green, spotted or silver foliage that grows ever larger as the season progresses. This woodland favorite prefers rich soil and regular moisture, performing well even in boggy sites. Combine with bleeding heart, hosta and spring-flowering bulbs for an uplifting display after the long, cold winter.

Height/Spread:

6 to 12 inches tall, 1 to 2 feet wide

Zones:

3-9

Plants to Try:

‘Pink-a-Blue’, ‘Raspberry Splash’, ‘Dark Vader’, ‘Bertram Anderson’, ‘Sissinghurst White’.

Learn more about growing lungwort.

‘Bridal Veil’ astilbe. Photo by Sylvain Marineau / Millette Photomedia.

ASTILBE

Astilbe is a favorite of gardeners for its showy flower plumes that appear in summer after many other woodland plants are finished blooming. The flowers of this deciduous perennial occur in hues of violet, pink, white and red, blooming above the delicate ferny foliage, making this a real standout in the woodland garden. Astilbe prefers rich soil that stays constantly moist, and blooms best with part-day sun. Mass as a ground cover in a woodland garden or shade border, or plant in containers. Combine with ferns, coral bells and hostas.

Height/Spread:

1 to 4 feet tall and wide

Zones:

Most 4-8

Plants to Try:

‘Sprite’, ‘Visions’, ‘Bridal Veil’, ‘Ostrich Plume’.

Learn more about growing astilbe.

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Invincibelle Wee White® smooth hydrangea. Photo by Proven Winners.

HYDRANGEA

Hydrangea is one of the most revered garden plants, an old-fashioned favorite that blooms in summer and fall. This deciduous shrub comes in a wide range of species and forms, from the most popular mopheads (H. macrophylla) to hardy peegees (H. paniculata). Most prefer regular water and rich amended soil, though oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia) is drought-tolerant in some areas once established. Flowers are blue, white, purple, pink or red, with some having variable color according to soil pH. Plant in a mixed border, as a stand-alone accent, or as screening along a property border. Smaller specimens can be planted in containers. Hydrangeas do prefer more bright shade than deep shade.

Height/Spread:

2 to 20 feet tall, 5 to 10 feet wide

Zones:

4-9

Plants to Try:

Oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia), H. macrophylla ‘Harlequin’, H. paniculata ‘Limelight’, H. arborescens Invincibelle Wee White® .

Learn more about growing hydrangeas.

Common foxglove. Photo by Janet Loughrey.

FOXGLOVE

Foxglove (Digitalis) is a classic cottage-style favorite, grown for its statuesque spires of bell-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring and summer. The most common garden forms are biennial (D. purpurea), producing flowers in their second year. These self-sow readily for years of subsequent bloom, making them useful to fill in gaps. Other perennial species are a good choice for a mixed border. Foxgloves prefer rich, moist soil and bloom best when receiving at least part-day sun. Plant along a slope or naturalize in a woodland setting, cottage-style garden, or wildflower meadow.

Height/Spread:

3 to 8 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide

Zones:

3-8

Plants to Try:

Common foxglove (D. purpurea), strawberry foxglove (D. xmertonensis), rusty foxglove (D. ferruginea), sunset foxglove (D. obscura).

Learn more about growing foxglove.

Japanese primrose. Photo by Janet Loughrey.

PRIMROSE

A sure sign of spring, primrose (Primula) is a welcome sight after a long, cold winter. The best known variety, English primrose (P. vulgaris), appears in garden centers in early spring with cheerful hues of blue, pink, red, yellow and orange. There are dozens of other garden-worthy species, all of which perform best in cooler climates. Primroses prefer rich, well-draining soil, regular water and partial sun to deep shade, though alpine types can tolerate more light and dryer conditions. They combine well with many other woodland plants, including ferns, hosta, iris and bleeding heart. Naturalize in a woodland setting, plant at the front of a mixed border, or in containers.

Height/Spread:

3 inches to 4 feet tall, 4 inches to 3 feet wide

Zones:

2-8

Plants to Try:

Japanese primrose (P. japonica), candelabra primrose (P. beesiana), drumstick primrose (P. denticulata), cowslip (P. veris).

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Infinity® Pink Frost New Guinea impatiens. Photo by Proven Winners.

IMPATIENS

A top choice of gardeners for shade bedding plants are impatiens (Impatiens walleriana), valued for their nonstop bloom from late spring through frost. These tropical annuals come in a wide array of colors and are fast-growing, quickly filling in large areas. Impatiens prefer rich, well-draining soil, regular water, and are relatively low maintenance, requiring no deadheading. In recent years, downy mildew has become a greater problem, so other disease-resistant forms such as New Guinea impatiens and SunPatiens® offer a viable substitute. Breeders are working to develop other mildew-resistant forms, which will soon become available to home gardeners. Mass in beds, plant at the front of a border, or in containers.

Height/Spread:

1 to 3 feet tall and wide

Zones:

10-11

Plants to Try:

New Guinea impatiens (I. hawkeri), SunPatiens® (I. xhawkeri), jewelweed (I. capensis).

Learn more about growing impatiens.

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‘Gold Heart’ old-fashioned bleeding heart. Photo by Proven Winners.

BLEEDING HEART

Few shade flowers rival the romance and intrigue of bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos syn. Dicentra spectabilis). The white, pink, or red heart-shaped flowers are borne on arching stems above fern-like leaves. The most commonly grown variety of this deciduous perennial is L. spectabilis (syn. Dicentra spectabilis), a spring ephemeral that dies back in summer. Plant these alongside hosta or other bold-leafed plants that will grow up and cover the dying foliage. Bleeding heart grows best in rich, well-draining soil with regular moisture. For longer-lasting plants, the foliage and flowers of fringed bleeding heart (D. eximia) or western bleeding heart (D. formosa) will last into fall with regular watering. Grow in a woodland setting with other shade lovers, or in a container as a dramatic focal point.

Height/Spread:

6 inches to 3 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide

Zones:

3-9

Plants to Try:

‘Alba’, ‘Gold Heart’, ‘Valentine’, ‘Luxuriant’.

Learn more about growing bleeding heart.

Hellebore hybrid. Photo by Janet Loughrey.

HELLEBORE

Hellebores (Helleborus) are coveted by avid gardeners for their exceptionally long bloom time, cup-shaped flowers and attractive evergreen foliage. Christmas rose (H. niger) is the first to bloom, beginning in December in milder regions, hence its name. Thanks to recent breeding breakthroughs, the most commonly grown species (H. xhybridus)—which blooms from late winter into spring—comes in a dizzying array of colors and patterns. These tough plants prefer rich, well-draining soil, tolerate varying light conditions, and are virtually carefree once established. Naturalize in a woodland setting, plant in front of a mixed border, or in containers. Combine with anemone, hosta, trillium and daffodils.

Height/Spread:

1 to 4 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide.

Zones:

4-9

Plants to Try:

Stinking hellebore (H. foetidus), Corsican hellebore (H. argutifolius), Winter Jewels®, ‘Pink Frost’.

Learn more about growing hellebores.

TREES FOR SHADE

Japanese maple. Photo by Janet Loughrey.

JAPANESE MAPLE

Among the most beloved ornamental trees, Japanese maples (Acer palmatum) are grown for their multi-seasonal interest, elegant structure and brilliantly colored foliage in shades of red, orange, yellow and purple. While some varieties grow into medium or tall trees, others stay smaller, making them suitable for urban lots. These deciduous trees do best when planted in rich, well-draining soil, and with regular water and protection from hot afternoon sun. Use as a backdrop in a mixed woodland border or as a stand-alone focal point. Smaller specimens can be planted in containers.

Height/Spread:

3 to 30 feet tall, 3 to 25 feet wide

Zones:

5-8

Plants to Try:

A. palmatum ‘Bloodgood’, A. palmatum ‘Sango-kaku’, A. japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’, A. palmatum ‘Shishigashira’.

Learn more about growing Japanese maple trees.

Dura-heat® river birch. Photo by Marietta Paternoster Garr / Millette Photomedia.

BIRCH

For natural woodland appeal, birch (Betula) trees make a valuable addition to the landscape for their elegant stature, fall color, and ornamental bark that is particularly attractive in winter. Some varieties are extremely hardy, making them a good choice in colder regions. These deciduous trees are fast growing and perform best in rich, well-draining soil with regular water and at least part-day sun. Because there are so many options to choose from, it’s important to research which ones will do best in your region, and to choose a variety that will not outgrow its space. Plant near a stream or pond, in a row to divide garden spaces, group as an allée, or use a single specimen as a backdrop in a mixed border.

Height/Spread:

5 to 80 feet tall, 5 to 40 feet wide

Zones:

2-9

Plants to Try:

B. papyrifera (paper birch), B. nigra (river birch), B. pendula (weeping birch), B. populifolia ('Whitespire' grey birch).

Learn more about growing birch trees.

Pagoda dogwood. Photo by Bertrand Dumont / Millette Photomedia.

DOGWOOD

Grown for its showy flowers and statuesque habit, dogwood (Cornus) is synonymous with spring. While most are deciduous trees, there are also shrub and groundcover forms. Tree varieties most available to home gardeners tend to be small to medium-sized, making them suitable to urban lots and curbside strips where power lines are a concern. Some varieties prefer full sun, though others are suited to the dappled shade of their native woodland habitat. Use as a backdrop or focal point in a mixed border, or as a stand-alone focal point in a lawn. Grow with compatible understory plants such as daffodils, sweet woodruff, hosta and ferns.

Height/Spread:

10 to 50 feet tall, 6 to 50 feet wide

Zones:

4-9

Plants to Try:

C. alternifolia (pagoda dogwood), C. controversa ‘Variegata’ (wedding cake tree), C. kousa (kousa dogwood), C. florida f. rubra (Eastern dogwood).

Learn more about growing dogwood trees.

Chinese witch hazel. Photo by Janet Loughrey.

WITCH HAZEL

In the dead of winter when there is little life in the garden, the delicate ribbon-like flowers of witch hazel (Hamamelis) cheer up even the dreariest days. The graceful vase-shaped structure is just a bonus, with some varieties having additional attributes of fall color or fragrance. This deciduous tree or shrub needs virtually no care once established, with most suitable for small spaces. Grow as a stand-alone focal point, along a property border, or near your home’s entrance or sidewalk where the fragrance can be enjoyed up close. Smaller specimens can be grown in containers. Combine with other plants with winter interest such as hellebores, snowdrops, and heathers.

Height/Spread:

12 to 15 feet tall and wide

Zones:

3-9

Plants to Try:

H. xintermedia‘Jelena’, H. xintermedia ‘Aphrodite’, H. xintermedia ‘Diane’, Chinese witch hazel (H. mollis).

Learn more about growing witch hazel.

ONLINE LEARNING

Plant expert Kerry Ann Mendez introduces you to a wide variety of perennials, flowering shrubs, annuals, bulbs and flowering vines for shade gardens in Zones 3 to 8. Get design tips and plant combinations that will have you eager to plant up the shady spots in your garden.

RELATED READING

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1

Solomon's Seal

This lesser-known perennial is absolutely charming! Long arched stems are covered in cute, little dancing bells in April or May. It reaches about two feet tall.

Varieties to try: Wedding Bells, Lemon Seoul

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2

Browallia

Gaining in popularity as an alternative to impatiens, this beautiful annual comes in shades of periwinkle blue, white, and violet on mounding foliage. It's an attractive choice for shady baskets, window boxes, and containers, reaching about a foot wide and tall.

Varieties to try: Endless Illumination, Endless Flirtation

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3

Hosta

Hostas come in various sizes from a petite 4 inches to as big as 6 feet across! But be aware these perennials are a favorite of deer and rabbits. If deer are frequent visitors to your garden, consider planting a less-tasty plant!

Varieties to try: Shadowland Empress Wu, Mouse Ears

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4

Lungwort

So it's not the prettiest name, but it does boast lovely purple or pink flowers in mid-spring with silvery-speckled leaves. Also called pulmonaria, this perennial stays about 12 to 14 inches tall and wide and is deer resistant (yay!).

Varieties to try: Twinkle Toes, Spot On

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5

Sweet Potato Vine

If you're looking for a vining annual that works equally well in sun and shade, sweet potato vine is the answer. This pretty plant comes in shades of purple, burgundy, and chartreuse and looks fabulous when spilling over the sides of containers and window boxes.

Varieties to try: Sweet Caroline Light Green, Tricolor

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6

Begonia

Begonias do well in a variety of conditions, including full shade. Depending on the variety, they can range from 6 inches to 3 feet tall and from 6 to 18 inches wide. Some types are grown primarily for their striking variegated foliage. Most are considered annuals.

Varieties to try: Cane, Wax, Angel-Wing

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7

Ligularia

Ligularia, sometimes called the leopard plant, has large showy leaves and bright flowers in shades of yellow. This perennial is especially happy in boggy or wet conditions. They can grow anywhere from 3 to 8 feet tall and 2 to 4 feet wide.

Varieties to try: Banana, The Rocket, King Kong

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8

Viola

These happy-faced flowers tolerate full sun in spring and fall, but come summer, they'll need part shade. They often die back in hot weather and revive when things cool down. They're annuals but some types self-seed and may appear again next spring.

Varieties to try: Johnny Jump-Up, King Henry

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9

Epimedium

Also known as bishop's hat because of the unique flower shape, epimedium thrives in part to full shade and blooms from mid to late spring. This perennial can grow between 8 and 12 inches tall and 12 to 36 inches wide. They're a great ground cover for shady spots.

Varieties to try: Candy Hearts, Orange Queen

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10

Brunnera

Often used as a groundcover, this perennial is known for its tiny blue flowers that bloom in the spring. They also have charming heart-shaped foliage with white variegation, making them delightful plants whether they're in bloom or not.

Varieties to try: Jack's Frost, Silver Heart, Alexander’s Great

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11

Bleeding Heart

Known as bleeding hearts (and you can see why!), these charming perennials are a must-have in any shade garden. Depending on the variety, they can grow between 6 inches to 3 feet tall and 1 and 3 feet wide.

Varieties to try: Valentine, King of Hearts, Aurora

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12

Spiderwort

This pretty plant with a fun name blooms in mid-summer and prefers moist yet well-drained soil. Expect it to grow between 6 inches to 3 feet tall, depending on the variety.

Varieties to try: Amethyst Kiss, Sweet Kate

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13

Hellebore

These gorgeous perennials look delicate but are tough as nails! They're also called Lenten roses because they bloom in late winter to early spring around the time of Lent. They're available in a profusion of colors ranging from pure white to the deepest pinks and almost black. Depending on the variety, you can expect them to grow between 1 to 3 feet tall and wide.

Varieties to try: Painted Doubles, Wedding Party Maid of Honor

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14

Heuchera

Heuchera, also known as coral bells, are one of the most versatile perennials for any garden. Most types grow in light ranging from full sun to full shade, so read the tag to be sure about what you're buying. It has small flower spikes in midsummer, but it's grown mainly for its striking foliage that spans every color of the rainbow from chartreuse to purple-black. The plant's size ranges from 1 to 2 feet tall and 6 to 30 inches wide.

Varieties to try: Appletini, Wild Berry

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15

Impatiens

These annuals are one of the only plants that will put on a floral display in full shade. Downside: Some types are susceptible to powdery mildew, a devastating disease that kills the plants and overwinters in the soil for years! If you've had problems in the past, look for new hybrids such as the Beacon Series that are more disease-resistant. They can grow between 6 and 30 inches tall and around 1 to 3 feet wide.

Varieties to try: Cherry Splash, Infinity Cherry Red, Paradise

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16

Oakleaf Hydrangea

This gorgeous shrub produces oodles of impressive flowers from early summer to fall. It prefers morning sun and afternoon shade. Bonus: It's the only type of hydrangea that offers gorgeous autumn color with its foliage. Plant this shrub in a large garden, because it can grow between 4 to 8 feet tall and wide.

Varieties to try: Gatsby Pink, Gatsby Star

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17

Astilbe

Astilbe needs shade so its pretty flower plumes won't burn. Plant these perennials in drifts, or clumps, for best effect with other spring-flowering shade-lovers such as ferns and hellebores. It comes in many shades including pale pink, creamy white, and hot pink.

Varieties to try: Younique Carmine, Rise and Shine

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18

Ferns

There's a reason ferns are often found in moist, shady forests: Their favorite environment is where there's light to moderate shade. These perennials come in an array of lovely, lacy forms and spread to form a beautiful ground cover in time. Make sure you choose a variety that can survive winters in your climate. They can reach up to a few feet tall, depending on the variety.

Varieties to try: Autumn, Japanese Painted

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19

Caladium

The huge, heart-shaped leaves are what make this plant so stunning! Some newer types take the sun, so read the plant label to be sure about what you have. They're perennial in warm climates (zone 10 or warmer) but bring indoors in winter in cold climates to enjoy as a houseplant. The plant size ranges from 6 inches to 3 feet tall and up to 24 inches wide.

Varieties to try: Heart to Heart Blushing Bride, White Christmas

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20

Bletilla

Bletilla, also called Chinese ground orchid, is a stunning low-maintenance addition to any garden. Protect plants from the harsh afternoon sun if you want them to look their best. Plant the bulbs the previous fall for spring blooms. Expect them to grow between 1 and 3 feet tall and 6 to 12 inches wide.

Variety to try: Striata, Pink

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15 flowers growing in the shade. Detailed description with photo.

Many suburban areas, especially old ones, suffer from strong shading. Due to the overgrown trees, there is almost no sun there, and the constant shade does not allow bright, beautiful herbaceous plants to bloom magnificently.

However, there are shade-loving, unpretentious annual and perennial flowers that thrive in such conditions. Planting them will allow you to brighten up even the darkest corners of your garden.

FLOWERS GROWING IN THE SHADOW

Many amateur gardeners believe that all flowers need a lot of bright light. But this is far from true.

There are perennial and annual ornamental plants that need only a few hours of sunlight per day (morning or evening). And there are those who do not need light at all.

By the way, there is much more moisture and nutrients in the shade than in brightly lit areas. Therefore, some types of decorative flowers feel quite comfortable in partial shade and even full shade.

In this article we will tell you about perennial and annual flower crops growing in the shade. In addition, we will talk about shade-loving indoor flowers.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SHADOW-TOOLING PLANTS

All shade-tolerant flowers can be divided into shade-tolerant and shade-tolerant .

Shade-loving garden flowers suffer from direct sunlight. They also include some indoor plants.

Shade-loving perennial crops include lily of the valley, begonia, wild hoof and periwinkle.

Shade-tolerant flowers do well in both shade and ambient light. Therefore, it is they who prefer to grow amateur flower growers in their garden. We will describe in detail about shade-tolerant and shade-loving flower crops below.

These plants are characterized by a low rate of photosynthesis. And outwardly, all shade-tolerant plants differ from sun-loving ones. They tend to have broader and thinner, softer leaves to capture even the slightest amount of sunlight.

Their leaves are usually flat and smooth in shape with a very bright dark green color.

SHADOW-TOOLING COTTAGE FLOWERS

All shade-tolerant garden flowers can be subdivided into annuals and perennials . Consider each group separately and get acquainted with the brief characteristics of the most common shade-tolerant plants.

Shade-tolerant annual flowers

All annual flowers except nasturtium grow through seedlings, sowing them from late February to mid-March. In early May, seedlings can be transplanted into flower beds.

Lobelia . Grows best in partial shade. It is a small spherical shrub 12 to 20 cm high with small delicate blue, white-pink, purple or purple flowers (their color depends on the variety).

Lobelia seeds are hard to germinate, so sow them in mid-February. Transplant to the flower bed in early May. Flowering will begin in early May and continue until early September.

Lobelia borders planted along the paths of a shady garden look very nice.

Best varieties: Purple Palace, Pink Riviera, Riviera colored carpet.

Nasturtium . Unusually beautiful ground cover or ampelous flower with stem length from 30 cm to 1.5 m.

The flowers are large (up to 6 cm long), with a characteristic aroma, shaped like a net or a nightcap.

Flower color - bright yellow, orange, burgundy. It can be two or three colors.

Best varieties: Indian Princess, First Beauty, Peach Melba.

Scented tobacco . An evening flower with a surprisingly subtle and delicate aroma. A plant with a height of 30 to 75 cm with beautiful, bright - snow-white, yellow, orange, pink, fiery red flowers. Flowers up to 8 cm in diameter.

Grow aromatic tobacco through seedlings. Sow seeds in the spring in mid-March, plant in a flower bed in early May.

Flowering continues from June to early October.

Fragrant tobacco is unpretentious to the composition of the soil, but needs constant watering.

Best varieties: sets Carnival and Sensation .

Annual begonia . Shade-loving flower. Plant it only in a completely shaded area, such as under old trees. This plant is best grown in pots. Sow seeds at the end of February.

Seedlings can be planted in a flower bed or grown in wooden boxes or flowerpots.

It is a spherical bush with many stems. The height of the bush is from 20 to 35 cm. In ampelous varieties, the shoots reach a length of 70 cm.

The flowers are shaped like roses or carnations. Depending on the variety, they can be colored orange, pink, red or burgundy.

Flowering continues from early June to early October.

Best varieties: Copacabana red, ampelous Chanson Set Charm.

Mimulus . Very unpretentious, moisture-loving ground cover, beautiful flowering plant. Feels good in low-lying places flooded with rainwater.

Grows in bushes 25 - 35 cm high. Stems are bare, slightly raised with fleshy rounded petals. For their shape, the mimulus is popularly called the "lubastic".

Flowers, up to 3 cm in diameter, orange or copper red. The plant blooms from early July until the onset of persistent autumn frosts (mid-October).

Small mimulus bushes look very good in borders or borders located along the paths of the garden.

Grow this crop through seedlings. Sow seeds in mid-March. After two months, plant seedlings in flower beds.

Best grade: Magic white.

Marigold . Beautifully flowering shade-tolerant plants that are very fond of almost all gardeners. Their large and unusually bright - creamy white, yellow, orange or chocolate-golden flowers can enliven and decorate even the darkest corner of the garden.

Marigolds are very decorative, not only because of the huge bright flowers, but also because of the openwork carved leaves.

Various species and varieties can be stunted (from 20 to 40 cm) and tall (up to 1.3 m high), usually with double flowers.

Marigolds are drought tolerant and require little maintenance. They bloom from June to the end of October (if temperatures do not fall below -1 degrees).

Grow these plants through seedlings, sowing seeds in mid-March.

In the middle of May, you can safely plant them in flower beds.

Best varieties: Eskimo, Carmen, Golden Age, Orange King, Bonanza Bolero, Xochi, Kilimanjaro, Red Jam, Lemon Jam, Lemon Span, Orange Span, Mandarin Jam, Kurt Jester, Strawberry Blonde, Petite Orange, Mr. Majestic terry, Discovery yellow.

Shade-tolerant perennials

Introducing the most common and most ornamental shade-tolerant perennials.

Feverfew . A beautifully flowering rhizomatous perennial from the Asteraceae family. Consists of one or more erect stems, pubescent and branched at the top.

Depending on the variety, the height of the plant varies from 35 cm to 1.5 m.

It blooms with white or pink reed flowers, up to 5 cm in diameter, collected in corymbose apical inflorescences.

Leaves are narrow, dissected, silvery grey. The root system is very powerful, going deep into the soil.

Blooms from early May to late June.

Best grade: Robinson.

Echinacea . The most beautiful species is Echinacea purpurea. A rhizomatous, beautifully flowering perennial from the Asteraceae family.

Plant height from 60 cm to 1 m.

It blooms with large single orange-red or burgundy densely double flowers from early July to mid-September. Grows best in partial shade.

In addition to high decorative qualities, it has amazing healing properties.

Top Grade: Purple Robe.

Lupine . Ornamental herbaceous rhizomatous plant from the Legume family. Grows in strong bushes.

One of the most beautiful shade-tolerant perennials. Its huge inflorescence, which is an apical elongated brush, can reach a length of 1 m.

Flowers, depending on the variety, have the most varied color: white, pink, lilac, purple, cherry, purple and even yellow.

The feathery leaves, reminiscent of palm leaves in shape, also add charm to the plant.

Nitrogen-fixing nodules, located on strong lupine roots, allow you to accumulate a large amount of nitrogen in the soil and thereby improve its structure and enrich it with nutrition.

Lupine blooms from the end of May until the autumn frosts.

Best grade: Russell Bright Set .

Carnation . Herbaceous rhizomatous perennial from the Carnation family. The most beautiful shade-tolerant species is the Alwood carnation.

Grows in low bushes. The height of the bush is 25 - 40 cm. The flowers are terry, medium-sized (up to 3 cm in size) collected in inflorescences up to 40 cm in diameter. Their color is pink, purple, red, cherry, one- and two-color.

Flowering lasts from May to the end of September and is accompanied by a surprisingly delicate, delicate aroma.

Shrubs grow quickly, so they are often planted along paths or along the borders of recreation areas.

Best variety: Alwooda Shades of pink .

Primula . One of the earliest rhizomatous perennials from the primrose family.

Blooms in spring at the end of April. Grows well in tree shade and partial shade.

It is a low-growing shrub 20-30 cm high. The leaves are wide, dark green. The flowers are snow-white or cream, collected in racemose inflorescences. They emit a very subtle, delicate aroma.

Blooms in spring until the end of May. They do not tolerate drought well and do not need spring sun.

Best grade: Accord blue harmony.

Gravity . Gravilat is one of the most beautiful ornamental perennial flower rhizome crops from the Rosaceae family.

Plant height from 40 to 70 cm (depending on the species and variety). Bright red or golden yellow flowers up to 3.5 cm each, collected in large paniculate inflorescences. They emit a delicate, pleasant aroma.

Beautiful pinnate leaves arranged in a rosette.

Flowering begins in June and may last until mid-August.

The plant is very unpretentious and is characterized by increased frost resistance (up to -35 degrees).

Top grade: Lady Strafden.

Aquilegia . Very delicate and beautiful herbaceous rhizome plant from the Ranunculaceae family.

It is a powerful sprawling bush, up to 1 m high. This plant loves water very much, so it has another name - catchment area .

Aquilegia flowers are unusual, as if consisting of two monochromatic or multi-colored (pink-violet, white-blue, white-pink, white-burgundy, orange-yellow) parts. Each part (inner and outer) has 5 petals.

The general shape of the flowers is bell-shaped. Their peduncles are long and thin, due to which the flowers seem to hang from the hard tops of the stems.

Single or trifoliate leaves are also dissected, which looks very decorative.

Aquilegia blooms from mid-May to late July.

Best varieties: Winky Terry Red & White, Terry Bright Set, Giant Mac Canna, Salmon Pink Clementine, Biedermeier Bright Set, Winky Terry Set.

SHADOW-LOVING INDOOR FLOWERS

The most beautiful shade-loving flowers that will grow well even in a room very shaded by old trees outside the windows, this is multiflorous jasmine and indoor begonia .

Jasmine multiflora . Evergreen shade-loving indoor plant from the Olive family.

It is an evergreen vine up to 2.5 m long (in nature it can reach 6 m), which from spring to autumn is completely covered with large star-shaped white flowers collected in panicle inflorescences.

The plant in the flowering period envelops a marvelous aroma that fills the whole room. Jasmine multiflorum leaves are also very decorative. They are emerald green, openwork, complex pinnate.

Flowering occurs on the shoots of the current year.

Jasmine multiflorum is often confused with garden jasmine - mock orange. But this is a completely different culture.

Best variety: Multicolor.

Begonia indoor . Evergreen perennial shade-loving tuberous plant. The most common species are fringed and large-flowered .

Stems up to 80 cm long, hanging down, in several tiers. The flowers of large-flowered begonias resemble roses in shape, and fringed begonias resemble carnations.

The color range of indoor begonia flowers is very wide: from white, pink, red, orange, scarlet, cherry to maroon.

Large, blistered leaves. The plant has high phytoncidal properties, killing all pathogenic microflora in the room where it is located.

The best varieties: Camellia, Minutes of dreams, Lingonberry (set), Benefit (set).

CARE TIPS

Carefully choose where to plant shade-tolerant plants. It is best to plant them where sunlight penetrates only in the morning at dawn.

When planning to plant shade-tolerant flowers in a flower bed, we recommend placing them in a chaotic manner, rather than in even rows. This will give the flower garden a natural look. For shady areas of the garden, it will be the most suitable.

For heavily shaded garden areas, choose shade-tolerant crops with the brightest (primarily golden) and white flowers. This will help to "lighten" and noticeably revive a rather dull picture of "dark corners".

Carefully study which flowers grow in the shade and do not plant them in sunny beds: they can simply die there.

Be sure to alternate plantings with white and golden flowers with bright, contrasting ones (scarlet, bright red, orange). However, there should be at least twice as many light colors in the flower bed.

To keep the shady areas of your garden attractive for longer, plant crops with different flowering times in your flower beds. It is possible to grow both annual and perennial shade-tolerant crops in the same flower garden.

Shady areas are usually always saturated with soil moisture, so plant shade-tolerant crops there in flower beds at least 50 cm high.

Read more about these colors on our website or in the SPRING 2022 and SEEDS 2022 catalogs.

And you can order them from us right now!

Read also published articles:

Shade-tolerant perennials;

How to grow begonias;

"How to grow nasturtium from seeds";

"The most beautiful marigolds for your garden."

Shade-loving plants / shade-tolerant plants / Perennial plants for shade

Taking care of the attractiveness of their plot, rural residents, owners of dachas sooner or later face a problem: in some areas the sun's rays look very rarely, and in some places they do not happen at all . Most inexperienced gardeners believe that it is impossible to grow anything here except weeds.

However, this is not entirely true. Some plants not only do not like the sun, but can also be successfully grown outdoors in shade and partial shade. Of course, the range of such crops is limited, but among them there are luxurious specimens with lush greenery, original flowers, which allows you to create an amazing flower garden in the most secluded corner.

Shade and partial shade on the site

Many of the perennial flowers are, if not shade-loving, then shade-tolerant. For active growth and abundant flowering, it is enough for them that direct sunlight illuminates them for only a few hours a day. It is best if it is a morning when the sun is not yet so hot, which means that you can not be afraid that “burns” will appear on the leaves.

It is much more difficult to find crops that can decorate those parts of the garden where there is no sun at all. Most often, such places are located under trees, which cover the soil surface with their dense crown from mid-spring to late autumn, preventing access to the sun. You can, of course, plant primroses, bulbous perennials (tulips, daffodils) here. They move into growth in early spring and have time to bloom before the time when they are covered with a dense shadow. But after 1.5-2 months, they will fade, the foliage will dry up, and weeds will begin to grow rapidly in their place. But you really want each, the most remote corner of the garden, the courtyard to look decorative throughout the spring-autumn season.

The greatest difficulties arise for those "landowners" who decide to create a small "forest" on their plot. Flower beds, rabatka, flower beds will look like foreign objects here, and it is not always possible to acquire a large number of expensive shade-loving perennials due to financial difficulties. At the same time, there is a fairly extensive "arsenal" of plants that grow rapidly, capturing vast areas. At the same time, many of them are unpretentious and do not require careful care, everyday attention of the gardener.

Garden plants for shade

With the help of shade-tolerant perennials, any task facing the gardener can be solved, from ennobling places located in the shade of trees, buildings, fences, to decorating park areas. Almost all of the plants presented below can be attributed to decorative flowering crops. True, some of them have a flowering period of only a few days, while others delight with bright flowers for 2-3 weeks or more. At the same time, all have original leaves that make them attractive throughout the growing season.

  • Aquilegia
  • Anemone
  • Astilbe
  • Badan
  • Periwinkle
  • Heuchera
  • tenacious
  • Doronicum
  • Dicentra
  • Indian Duchenea
  • Forest bell
  • Hoof
  • Kupena and lily of the valley
  • Cuff
  • Hellebore
  • Primula
  • Fern
  • Khosta

Varieties of aquilegia (catchment) are divided into two groups: specific and varietal. The host does not require any maintenance. It reproduces by self-sowing, and if flower stalks with faded flowers are not cut off in a timely manner, then its white, pink, blue, lilac bells will soon dazzle throughout the site. Varietal aquilegia is planted in flower beds, discounts, and species aquilegia is used to fill forest and park areas with bright colors.

This plant has both shade-tolerant varieties and varieties that prefer to grow in sunlit areas. For cultivation under the crowns of trees, an anemone oak (anemone) is most often used. It grows well without the attention of a gardener, grows rapidly, forming extensive flowering arrays.

Numerous varieties (more than 40) of this crop can reach a height of 15 cm to 2 m. They grow well not only in shady, but also in waterlogged areas. Astilba is characterized by long flowering. Tall varieties vaguely resemble shrubs, but with the onset of autumn cold weather, all of its ground part dies off. But with the onset of heat, growth buds on the overwintered rhizome start to grow, quickly forming new thickets. It grows both in flower beds and front gardens, and in the shade of trees, as a kind of undergrowth.

Chigir tea (in Altai), Mongolian tea (in Siberia) winter-hardy flowering perennial. Its evergreen leaves are cabbage-like, turning purple in autumn. Badan is a flowering plant. It can be used on tree trunks and in flower beds.

A very hardy evergreen shade-loving crop that prefers moist soil but can also tolerate drought. Depending on the composition of the soil, the flowers of the periwinkle can be painted in blue, blue or pink tones. Some specimens may re-bloom in autumn, though not as abundantly as in spring.

One of the most beautiful perennials with a wide range of varieties bred by breeders specifically for growing in shade and partial shade. The color spectrum of geyhera leaves varies from various shades of green, to red, orange, purple, including gray tones. Thanks to its foliage, the bush looks incredibly impressive. But the plant also blooms, however, its flowers are rarely paid attention to.

As the name of the plant suggests, it has an incredible vitality. Requiring no care, the tenacious in the most difficult growing conditions quickly occupies the entire area available to it. When cultivated in lighted areas, its leaves are variegated, but in the shade they acquire a pale green tint.

Frost-resistant moisture-loving culture has both shade-tolerant and light-loving varieties. For example, plantain dronikum prefers lighted areas. Its bright yellow flowers will not only decorate the flower bed, but can also be used to make buds. When planting dronicum in the shade, it is better not to plant it directly near the trees, it will be uncomfortable there.

A perennial unpretentious plant that has not only beautiful carved leaves, but also flowers of the original form, for which it is also called "broken heart". The more shade on the site, the longer the dicentra pleases with its flowering. The bush can reach a height of 30-150 cm. It likes frequent watering, but does not tolerate stagnant moisture, so it needs well-drained soil. Under favorable conditions, it grows rapidly, occupying large areas.

Outwardly, the plant resembles strawberries, only the flowers are not white, but yellow. After the end of flowering, a red round berry is formed, which can stay on the peduncle for quite a long time. But you shouldn't eat it. It is not poisonous, but completely tasteless.

A very unpretentious plant, it feels equally good in sunny clearings and in the shade. But still, best of all for the bell, accustomed to living in the forest, on the mountain slopes, areas in the shade of the spreading crowns of large trees are suitable.

If the mountain species of this perennial feel great under the scorching sun, then the bluebells, whose natural habitat is a wooded area, prefer shade or partial shade. They are suitable for creating flower beds, rabatok, but they look especially impressive in large arrays under the canopy of large trees.

The most beautiful perennial from the category of decorative and deciduous. Prefers soil with a high limestone content. It looks especially decorative against the background of a group of large trees. Poisonous!

These two plants are closely related. They behave equally aggressively in the flowerbed, quickly displacing their neighbors from it. They love shady, secluded corners. But if the height of the lily of the valley does not exceed 15-20 cm, then the bushes can grow up to 1.5 m in height. But under favorable growing conditions, it can quickly spread throughout the garden.

This is an amazing plant that blooms in winter or early spring. Its small white-greenish-pink flowers give the snow-covered thickets an incredibly showy look. It can be grown both as a single bush and in groups, creating unusual garden compositions.

One of the low maintenance perennial primroses. But the primrose should be watered in a timely manner, it does not tolerate drought. In the southern regions of our country, where the sun is bright, burning, it behaves like a shade-tolerant plant. But the further north the growing region, the more sun it needs.

One of the oldest plants on our planet, inhabiting it since the time of the dinosaurs, when the climate was warm, humid, and the trees were very tall.

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