Shade Loving Flowering Plants for a Woodland Garden or Shady Area

Shady areas of back and front yards are pleasant but often bare spots devoid of flowering plants. But there are many perennials and annuals that can brighten up those partially shaded to fully shaded areas near or under trees, or on the north side of the house.

Some shade loving plants offer colorful or variegated foliage to brighten up those dark areas. Below find a list of shade loving flowering plants. Before you decide to purchase a plant for shade, first define the type of shade in the section of the yard you where want to introduce a new plant.

When planting shade loving plants, remember to improve and enrich the soil with compost, peat, or humus. If planting a new area, dig down 6 - 10 inches and add the compost or other enriching agents, and mix together with existing soil.

Do not dig down or into, or chop tree roots as you can cause permanent damage to the tree.

Moist and Cool Shade on the north side of the house offers an excellent environment for several shade loving plants. Ferns, while not flowering plants, present an attractive show, with their delicate leaves and arching fronds.

Partial Shade means that the area is in the shade for 4 - 5 hours during daylight hours. Many plants that prefer partial shade will do best in morning sun, as the afternoon sun in hot summer months may be too intense.

Light Shade areas are shaded for 2 - 4 hours during daylight hours. Even some sun loving plants can thrive in this type of light, especially in hot regions of the South and in the afternoon.

Filtered Shade is a sun dappled area, under or near a tree that does not provide a thick canopy or have thick foliage.

Full Shade Some spots on the north side of the house, or under or near large trees receive no sun at all.

Dry Shade is often fully shaded areas beneath large trees that do not receive a lot of moisture from rain due to the heavy foliage. But even dry shade loving plants need to be watered thoroughly when first planted in order to establish a healthy root system. Mulch to retain moisture.

Astilbe is a hearty and trouble free perennial that prefers soft soil (add humus or peat) and partial shade. Astilbe has feathery, fern-like foliage and sends up plume of flowers in pink, white. lavender, and red in summer.

Plant in moist, well drained soil. Divide the roots in spring or fall every 3 - 4 years. US Zone 4 - 9.

Azaleas are beautiful woody shrubs that come in a vast array of colors and types, and are members of the Rhododendron family. Many azaleas are evergreen in warmer climates. Azaleas bloom in spring when the shrub is covered with brilliant flowers in white, pink, violet, or red. Yellow and orange hybrids may be more difficult to grow.

Plant azaleas in light or dappled shade in moist well drained soil. Water often during hot, dry summer months and feed with a fertilizer for acid loving plants. Prune just after flowering. Azaleas do not tolerate extreme cold and some evergreen azaleas lose their leaves in colder areas. Some azaleas are more cold tolerant than others, so check the tag carefully.

Bleeding Heart ( Dicentra spectabilis) is an old fashioned, 2 - 3 foot tall cottage garden favorite that likes partial to full shade and moist, well drained soil. This bushy perennial produces small heart shaped blooms on arching stems in early spring. The attractive, lobed foliage goes dormant in summer, turning yellow. Plant in US Zone 2 - 7.

Brunnera produces tiny, brilliant blue flowers in early spring. Grow in partial to full shade. The heart shaped leaves can also be varigated. This slow grower will not need frequent division and will eventually form large clumps. Keep moist to avoid browning at the edges of the leaves. Brunnera is a perennial grown in US Zone 3 - 7.

Coral Bells or Heuchera is an easy care, heat tolerant perennial with 6 - 18" tall foliage that resembles the foliage of geraniums and produceds spikes lightly covered with tiny flowers in pink, red, and white. Coral bells prefer alkaline soil.

They bloom in June. Deadhead for repeat flowering. Coral bells prefer partial shade to full sun and moist, well drained soil in US Zone 3 - 9.

Foxglove or Digitalis purpurea is a tall plant with tubular flowers that grow on 2 - 5' spikes, a showy attractive plant for dry shade. Foxglove is a biennial plant that forms a rosette of leaves that grow low to the ground the first year, sending up flowers the next. Foxgolve often reseeds, so after a few years, you can have foxgloves blooming every year. Plant in partial shade in well drained, acidic soil, add humus.

Foxglove attracts hummingbirds. The plants are poisonous. US Zone 3 - 9.

Lenten Rose (pictured at the top of the page) or Hellebore is an attractive late winter or early spring blooming perennial that has become recently more popular. This old fashioned plant will grow for many years without needing to be divided. Hellbore enjoys partial to full shade making an excellent addition to a woodland garden. US Zone 5 - 9.

Hosta is a low growing (2' tall) perennial plant with large, heart shaped leaves that come in several shades of green, including bluish green as well as variegated forms. Some varieties feature bubbled leaves. Hosta prefers light to full shade and has become very popular due to it's propensity to spread. Plant the blue leaved types in full shade and the gold leaved varieties in full sun.

Hostas bloom in summer with spikes of narrow, tubular flowers, some of which are sweetly aromatic. Make sure they have plenty of water in the hot months. Remove dead leaves in fall as the fallen, rotting leaves will attract slugs. Plant in US Zone 3 - 9.

Wood hyacinth or Spanish bluebell ( Hyacinthoides hispanica) is a bulb that prefers light shade, to partial sun, to full shade and does well when planted under trees. The tiny, bell shaped flowers appear in late spring, blooming in white, light blue, blue violet, or pink. Wood hyacinth is poisonous and can cause skin irritation when touched by sensitive individuals. Wood hyacinth can be invasive in some areas, including the North West US and in the UK. Wood hyacinth is native to SW Europe and northern Africa and is deer resistant. US Zone 3 - 9.

Impatiens is a popular bedding plant used as an annual in areas with cold winters, or perennials in warm southern climates. The low growing plant has small, ovate leaves and enjoys light to full shade and moist, well crained soil. Impatiens provide bright, colorfull blooms in pink, rose, lilac, orange, white or bicolor all summer long without deadheading (the removal of dead flowers). Pinch back stems early on to encourage branching. US Zone 1 - 11.

Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) is an easy, spreading perennial that enjoys partial to full shade. The 8" plant has sword shaped leaves and presents white flowers that resemble tiny bells in April or May. Also called Mary's tears and little Maybells, Lily of the valley is poisonous. The flowers are highly and sweetly aromatic.

Plant the rhizomes, called pips in moist well drained soil in spring or fall, deep enough so just the tips show. Water after planting. If planting in spring, first soak the pips in lukewarm water for several hours. Mulch in winter to protect roots. US Zone 2 - 7.

White Trillium (Trillium grandiflora) is native to the Eastern United States. It prefers light to partial shade and moist, humus rich, well drained soil. This woodland plant grows about 12" tall. Three broad, ovate leaves surround a 3" white flower that turns pink, then red as it ages.US Zone 2 - 8.

The US Plant Hardiness Zone is a handy reference tool used to determine if a plant is suitable for your region of the United States. Hardiness zone is based on the temperature ranges of each area. Of course, there are micro-climates, smaller spots in a hardiness zone that are cooler or warmer than the surounding area. US Plant Hardiness Zoone does not apply to soil types, moisture, or other conditions.