At first it may seem like sun loving plants have all the fun, but spend a little time in the cooler parts of the garden, those tucked away places under the trees, and you may notice an entirely different kind of beauty. Foliage and flower still dominate the shady landscape, but the feel can be more contemplative, moodier. Without a doubt, shade gardens are just as showy.
When choosing shade perennials, it’s helpful to know what kind of shade you’re working with. Perhaps there is abundant sun for part of the day. Is it the gentler morning sun or the scorching afternoon sun? Maybe there is a steady supply of dappled shade or bursts of sunlight throughout the day. And then there is the deep shade of a forest floor where only those plants that abhor the hot rays of the sun can be happy. The shade or sun dichotomy is not as simple as it seems, but with a bit of observation throughout the day, you’ll have a good understanding of the light in your space.
Here are some of the perennials we love for different kinds of shade:
Hosta
The ever popular hosta is a reliable choice for shade and part shade. Lovely broad foliage in greens, blues, chartreuse, and variegated forms. While they thrive in good soil, hostas do well in most soil types once established and require very little maintenance aside from cleaning up spent leaves and scapes. While some varieties tolerate more sun, too much sun will cause foliage to scorch by midsummer, so choosing a site that is protected from the hottest midday sun is a good idea.
Ferns (multiple genera)
Another classic choice, there are numerous ferns that thrive in shade and part shade. Tall, vigorous ostrich ferns are excellent where you need good coverage and weed suppression. Charming Japanese painted ferns accent the garden in silvery purple and minty green colors and provide incredible texture. Lady ferns provide soft, whimsical texture against broadleaf plants. Most ferns appreciate consistent moisture and thrive even in deep shade to part shade.
Turtlehead (Chelone spp.)
For the flower lover, turtlehead is a great choice. Some time around September, this plant is stunning with tubular pink or white blooms when many flowers are wrapping up for the season. If you like watching bumblebees stuff themselves into flowers, you need to plant some turtlehead. Sun, part sun, or bright shade is great for these plants. Dry conditions can take a toll on turtlehead’s vigor, so a site with consistent moisture is best.
Lobelia
Excellent flowers for part shade to sun, both blue (L. siphilitica) and red (L. cardinalis) lobelia thrive in evenly moist soil. Lobelia is a perfect choice for those transitional areas in the garden that aren’t quite sunny but aren’t quite shady either. Pollinators, including hummingbirds and bumblebees, love visiting this plant in July and August when it‘s in full bloom. Make sure you’re getting perennial lobelia for the garden and not annual lobelia (also charming, just not hardy).
Heuchera
Also called coral bells, heuchera is an excellent choice for its showy foliage. Available in red, purple, orange, chartreuse, silver, and more, heuchera is a feast of colors. Works in areas that aren’t swampy but aren’t bone dry and does well in part shade to shade. Several varieties can also tolerate a lot of sun and can be useful all around the garden. Small flowers top the plants in early summer and add even more charm. Tiarella (foamy bells) and Heucherella (a cross between coral bells and foamy bells) are awesome choices too.
Rudbeckia
For a non-conventional choice in part sun or very bright shade, consider trying Black-eyed susan. Though it does remarkably in full sun, this versatile plant does very well in some shade as well. The bright yellow flowers add a pop of cheer wherever they’re planted, which makes Black-eyed Susans especially useful in the shade. A great choice to as a transition plant from sunny to shady beds and borders and blends beautifully with other perennials and shrubs.
But Wait, There’s More!
This list is tiny compared to all the amazing shade plants we have available. There are so many more! Ligularia, aralia, goat’s beard, astrantia, toad lily, brunnera, lungwort, geranium, spiderwort, cimicifuga, sedge, lamium, and on and on. While plants adapted to wide open, hot, sunny prairie might not be great choices for your shade garden, it’s worth noting that some sun plants can tolerate a bit of shade. If you’re feeling bold, it’s worthwhile to do some experimentation.
As you can see- there are many excellent plants to try. Stop in and check out our selection. We’re happy to help you find the best fit for your shady spot!
