The shady parts of the Garden and Landscapes can thrive too as well with the right plants, flowers and trees.
Perennials, Annuals, Flowers, Shrubs, and Trees are great to grow in the shade.
Gardening in the shade has been known to be very difficult, but it definitely doesn’t have to be. By choosing the shade-loving plants that are right for you, it is definitely possible to have a beautiful Garden and Landscapes even with a limited amount Sunlight.
Coleus
Zones:
10-11
Height/Spread: 2 to 5 feet tall, 3 feet wide
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.
Lungwort
Zones:
3-9
Height/Spread: 6 to 12 inches tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
One of the most joyful sights in spring is the delightful flowers and foliage of lungwort (Pulmonaria). One of 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.
The woodland favorite prefers rich soil and regular moisture, performing well even in boggy sites. Combine with Hosta, the bleeding heart and spring-flowering bulbs for an uplifting display after the long and sometimes brutally cold winter.
Hellebore
Zones:
4-9
Height/Spread: 1 to 4 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide.
Hellebores (Helleborus) are desired by avid gardeners because of their exceptionally long bloom time, the cup-shaped flowers and the attractive evergreen foliage. Christmas rose (H. niger) is the first to bloom, in the beginning of December in milder regions, hence its name. Also 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 are 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.
Bleeding Heart
Zones:
3-9
Height/Spread: 6 inches to 3 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide
There are a couple 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 more commonly grown variety of this deciduous perennial is L. spectabilis (syn. Dicentra spectabilis), a spring ephemeral that dies back in summer. If you 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.
Astilbe
Zones:
4-8
Height/Spread: 1 to 4 feet tall and wide
Astilbe is definitely 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 the rich soil that stays constantly moist, and blooms best with part-day sun. It will mask as a ground cover in a woodland garden or shade border, or plants in containers. Combine with ferns, coral bells and hosta.
Deadnettles
Zones:
4-9
Height/Spread: 3 inches to 2 feet tall, 3 feet wide or greater
Deadnettle (Lamium) is one of the easy to care for and is a reliable groundcover that is grown for its attractive multi-seasonal foliage and one being the 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 is a creeping groundcover that fills in quickly and can grow in the difficult sites such as under trees or in dry shade, providing a carpet of color throughout the growing season.
Foxglove
Zones:
3-8
Height/Spread: 3 to 8 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a common garden plant that contains digitalis and other cardiac glycosides. These chemicals affect the heart. Foxglove is poisonous, although recorded poisonings from this plant are very rare.
This is still a classic cottage-style favorite, grown for its statuesque spires of bell-shaped flowers that bloom in the 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.
Foam Flower
Zones:
4-9
Height/Spread:
8 to 12 inches tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
Foamflower (Tiarella), is a classic woodland plant indigenous to the North America region, makes a welcome addition to any native garden. This dainty semi-evergreen perennial belies its toughness and reliability. It is 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 can tolerate 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.
Japanese Forest Grass
Zones:
5-9
Height/Spread:
1 to 2 feet tall, 2 feet wide
One of the many ornamental grasses that thrives in shade is Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra). This perennial grows in low, mounding clumps. Golden or variegated species are valuable for lighting up darker areas with their foliage. Also can be Tolerant of varying light conditions from partial sun to deep shade, Japanese forest grass prefers the rich, well-draining soil and regular moisture.
Design uses are many: grow as a groundcover, as a foundation planting, massed along a slope, in containers or in the front of a mixed border. The arching habit and flowing leaf texture contrasts the beauty of hosta alongside it, hellebores, ferns and coral bells as well.
Hosta
Zones:
3-9
Height/Spread:
2 inches to 4 feet tall, 5 inches to 6 feet wide
It is regarded as a queen of the shady garden, and it is definitely easy to see why that is. Hosta is grown for its attractive foliage in a wide variety of colors, shapes, patterns and its sizes can range from teacup to truck tire-sized. This a tough-as-nails plant that 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, columbine and ferns. These long-lived favorites will definitely reward you with years of reliable color in the garden.
Caladium
Zones:
10-11
Height/Spread:
6 inches to 3 feet tall, 1 to 2 feet wide
To create an exotic feel in the garden, few plants rival the bold impact of angel wings (Caladium). It was made popular as a Victorian conservatory plant, A tropical annual that is grown for its arrow-shaped leaves with hues that range from pure white to multi-colored variegation. It can be valuable as an addition for vibrant colors to the darkest corners of the 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.
Hydrangeas
Zones:
4-9
Height/Spread:
2 to 20 feet tall, 5 to 10 feet wide
Hydrangea is definitely one of the most revered garden plants, it is an old-fashioned favorite that blooms in summer and in the fall. This 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.
Primrose
Zones:
2-8
Height/Spread:
3 inches to 4 feet tall, 4 inches to 3 feet wide
Signs that Spring is close is when primrose (Primula) is sprouting 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. Primrose combines well with many other woodland plants, including ferns, iris, hosta and bleeding heart. Naturalize in a woodland setting, plant at the front of a mixed border, or in containers.
Ferns
Zones: There is a fern suitable to nearly every zone, from northern maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum, Z. 3) to other species that thrive in the tropical rain forests.
Height/Spread: Smallest fern in the world that measures just one-centimeter tall to tree-sized forms, there are sizes to fit every garden or landscape.
Dogwood
Zones:
4-9
Height/Spread:
10 to 50 feet tall, 6 to 50 feet wide
Dogwood (Cornus) is definitely synonymous with Spring. Most are deciduous trees, there are also shrub and groundcover forms too as well. 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. Many varieties prefer full sun, though others are suited to the dappled shade of their native woodland habitat.
You can use as a focal point in a mixed border, or as a stand-alone focal point in a lawn. Also can be grown with compatible understory plants such as daffodils, sweet woodruff, hosta and ferns.
Birch
Zones:
2-9
Height/Spread: 5 to 80 feet tall, 5 to 40 feet wide
Natural woodland appeal, birch (Betula) trees make a valuable addition to any landscape for their elegance, fall colors, and ornamental barks that is very attractive during the winter. Some varieties are extremely hardy, making them a good choice in colder regions. These deciduous trees are definitely 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.
Japanese Maple
Zones:
5-8
Height/Spread:
3 to 30 feet tall, 3 to 25 feet wide
One of 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 mixed woodland border or just as a stand-alone focal point.
Check Out the links below for the Farmhouse Garden Talk and the Facebook Community Post for More Tips and Tricks in the Garden.
Plants, Flowers and Trees that Grow in the Shade
Garden Talk Tips and Tricks
16 Great Vegetables for Spring