Inside: Discover the beauty of shade gardening with these 21 perennials. These plants thrive in low-light areas and can bring life to your garden.
If you have shady spots in your yard, you’re in luck! Many stunning perennials can brighten up those dark areas and add vibrant color throughout the seasons.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener, these shade-loving plants can help transform your garden into a lush, inviting retreat.
Get ready to explore a variety of options that thrive in lower light, making your garden look beautiful all year round.
1. Hosta ‘Frances Williams’
Hosta ‘Frances Williams’ is a lovely choice for your shade garden. This plant features large blue-green leaves with a striking golden yellow border. It can grow in full or partial shade, making it perfect for less sunny spots.
This hosta typically reaches a height of 2 to 3 feet. It can also withstand some sun in cooler areas. If you’re looking for an eye-catching groundcover, this one stands out beautifully.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Choose a spot that protects your hosta from the afternoon sun. Regular watering helps keep the leaves vibrant and healthy.”
2. Coral Bells ‘Palace Purple’
Coral Bells ‘Palace Purple’ bring stunning maroon-purple foliage that adds depth to your shade garden. The delicate off-white flowers rise gracefully on slender purple stems. This plant thrives well in both full sun and partial shade.
You’ll appreciate that it’s deer-resistant, making it a great choice for gardens in deer-prone areas. It also grows easily, forming nice clumps that look lovely in borders or as ground cover.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Plant Coral Bells with other perennials for an eye-catching display. Keep the soil moist but well-drained for the best growth.”
3. Japanese Painted Fern
The Japanese Painted Fern is a stunning choice for shaded gardens. It features unique fronds that mix gray-green and wine-red shades, giving it an artistic look. This fern thrives in USDA Zones 4 to 9 and can spread over time.
It’s perfect for adding texture and color beneath trees or in other shaded areas. The plant is low maintenance and can enrich your garden throughout different seasons.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Japanese Painted Ferns prefer moist, well-drained soil. Make sure to keep them out of direct sunlight for the best results.”
4. Astilbe ‘Bridal Veil’
Astilbe ‘Bridal Veil’ is a beautiful perennial that thrives in shady areas. It features lush, deeply cut leaves that change from green to bronze, adding color to your garden. The plant produces plume-like flowers in early spring, attracting butterflies.
This variety is also deer-resistant and easy to maintain. It can be planted in garden beds, borders, or mass plantings. It works well with other shade-loving plants like Hostas and Ferns.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Keep the soil moist but not soggy for best growth. A layer of mulch can help maintain moisture and suppress weeds.”
5. Tiarella ‘Sugar and Spice’
Tiarella ‘Sugar and Spice’ is a lovely choice for shady areas in your garden. It features shiny, lacy leaves with striking burgundy markings. This plant blooms fragrant white flowers from late March to mid-September.
It grows well in moist, rich soil and can handle partial to full shade. You can control its spread easily by pulling up its stolons.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Water regularly to keep the soil moist, but avoid soggy conditions. This will help your Tiarella thrive and look its best.”
6. Bleeding Heart ‘Luxuriant’
Bleeding Heart ‘Luxuriant’ is a beautiful choice for shady spots in your garden. This plant features soft, fern-like foliage and vibrant, heart-shaped flowers in cerise-pink.
It prefers partial to full shade and thrives in well-drained, moist soil. You can enjoy its blooms from late spring if the conditions are right.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Keep your Bleeding Heart in a cool, shaded area for longer blooms. Water it regularly to ensure it stays lush and healthy.”
7. Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’
Brunnera ‘Jack Frost’ is a fantastic choice for shady spots. Its striking silver-coated leaves and small, light blue flowers add beauty to your garden.
This perennial thrives in semi-shaded areas, making it perfect for woodland gardens or borders. It’s versatile and pairs well with many other shade plants.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “To keep your ‘Jack Frost’ looking great, ensure it has consistent moisture. A layer of mulch can help retain soil moisture and improve its health.”
8. Lungwort ‘Raspberry Splash’
Lungwort ‘Raspberry Splash’ is a stunning choice for shade gardens. It features bright raspberry-pink flowers that bloom in early spring. The leaves are large and green, covered with striking white spots, making them visually appealing even after the flowers fade.
This plant thrives in moist, shady areas and can be a great groundcover. Its mounding habit creates a lovely lush look in your garden. Consider mixing it with other shade-loving plants for added color.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Plant Lungwort in a spot that gets some morning sun for the best flower display. Keep the soil moist but well-drained to help it thrive.”
9. Toad Lily ‘Samurai’
Toad Lily ‘Samurai’ is a beautiful addition to any shady garden. It features orchid-like flowers with white petals and purple spots. These bloom from late summer to fall, adding a splash of color when many other plants have finished flowering.
This plant thrives in moist soil but can adapt to drier conditions once established. Its variegated green foliage with golden tips adds extra interest throughout the season.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Plant Toad Lily in a spot with filtered light for best results. Keep the soil moist to encourage healthy growth and blooms.”
10. Solomon’s Seal ‘Variegatum’
Solomon’s Seal ‘Variegatum’ is a beautiful shade perennial that adds charm to your garden. Its dark green leaves with creamy-white edges create a lovely contrast. The plant thrives in part sun to full shade and loves well-drained, moisture-retentive soil.
In the fall, the foliage turns a lovely golden yellow before going dormant. It can spread up to 3 feet wide, making it great for filling shady spots. Plus, it produces sweetly scented, creamy-white flowers in spring.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “To keep your Solomon’s Seal healthy, mulch regularly to retain moisture. This will help it thrive in shady areas.”
11. Foamflower ‘Running Tapestry’
Foamflower ‘Running Tapestry’ is a great choice for shady gardens. It spreads quickly to form a lovely ground cover with its heart-shaped leaves and white flower spikes.
This plant thrives in woodland settings and pairs well with other shade-loving plants. It’s also helpful for preventing soil erosion on slopes.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “This plant does well in rich, moist soil. Keep it watered, especially in dry periods for the best growth!”
12. Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’
Ajuga ‘Chocolate Chip’ is a great choice for shaded areas in your garden. This low-growing plant features lovely burgundy and chocolate-colored leaves that look great all season.
In spring, you can enjoy its bright blue flowers that add a pop of color. It spreads easily, making it an effective ground cover.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Keep ‘Chocolate Chip’ in a spot with partial shade for best results. Regular watering helps it thrive, especially during dry spells.”
13. Hellebore ‘Onyx Odyssey’
Hellebore ‘Onyx Odyssey’ offers stunning double black-purple flowers that bloom in late winter. These blooms bring color when most gardens are still waking up.
This plant thrives in partial shade and prefers well-draining soil to keep its roots healthy. Its evergreen leaves are lovely and provide year-round interest in your garden.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Make sure to check your soil moisture regularly. This helps prevent root rot and keeps your hellebore thriving.”
14. Virginia Bluebells
Virginia Bluebells are a charming choice for your shade garden. These native plants thrive in part to full shade and prefer rich soil. Their pink buds bloom into stunning blue flowers in early spring.
These perennials can grow in clumps, forming beautiful colonies over time. They attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding life to your garden.
Expert Tip From MrPlanter: “Plant Virginia Bluebells in groups for a striking look. They need minimal care, making them perfect for busy gardeners.”
15. Siberian Bugloss ‘Sea Heart’
Siberian Bugloss ‘Sea Heart’ is a great choice for shaded gardens. It features heart-shaped leaves with unique pewter-white foliage and green veins. This plant produces clusters of sky-blue flowers that bloom in spring.
This variety is known for being tough, handling heat and humidity better than others. It thrives well in woodland settings and along pond edges.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Avoid overly sunny spots to keep your ‘Sea Heart’ healthy. Regular watering helps maintain its lush look.”
16. Barrenwort ‘Sulphureum’
Barrenwort ‘Sulphureum’ is a fantastic choice for shady spots in your garden. This plant forms a dense mat of lovely foliage and can spread to cover the ground well.
It’s perfect for dry areas under trees where other plants struggle. With its yellow blooms, it adds a splash of color while keeping weeds at bay.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Plant Barrenwort where it can get some morning sun. This will help it thrive and look its best!”
17. Corydalis ‘Blue Panda’
Corydalis ‘Blue Panda’ is a unique choice for shade gardens. It showcases vibrant blue flowers that stand out against its lush, textured foliage. This plant prefers partial shade and thrives in well-drained, humus-rich soil.
It’s perfect for mass plantings or as an understory plant under taller trees. It grows best in cool summer climates and can struggle in dry conditions.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Make sure to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Regular watering will help your ‘Blue Panda’ flourish.”
18. Heucherella ‘Dayglow Pink’
Heucherella ‘Dayglow Pink’ is a charming perennial for your shady spots. It features light green leaves with a hint of chocolate in the center.
In late spring and early summer, expect lovely mauve-pink flowers that brighten up the area. This plant thrives in fertile, moist, well-drained soil and can grow well in partial to full shade.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “To keep your Heucherella healthy, ensure it gets some moisture but avoid waterlogging. Pruning spent flowers can encourage more blooms!”
19. Ostrich Fern
Ostrich Ferns are a great choice for shady areas. They can grow 4 to 6 feet tall, making a bold statement in your garden. These ferns thrive in cool, moist spots and are easy to care for.
They can spread quickly, so give them enough room to grow. Their bright green fronds add life to any space, whether in sun or shade.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Plant Ostrich Ferns in groups for a fuller look. They’ll create a lush green area that feels natural and inviting.”
20. Sweet Woodruff
Sweet woodruff is a great choice for shady spots in your yard. It grows best in full to partial shade and can tolerate dry conditions under trees. This plant typically reaches about 6 inches in height.
It forms a neat carpet of green leaves and produces small, fragrant white flowers in spring. Sweet woodruff is also helpful for keeping weeds at bay due to its dense growth habit.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Plant sweet woodruff in groups for a lush look. Remember to keep it moist during its first growing season to help it establish well.”
21. Lady’s Mantle ‘Irish Silk’
Lady’s Mantle ‘Irish Silk’ is a unique and beautiful perennial. It can grow well in partial shade to full sun, making it flexible for your garden. The plant has soft, grey-green leaves that add texture and interest.
This hardy perennial thrives in cooler climates and is perfect for garden borders or containers. It can tolerate different soil types, but well-drained soil is best. Expect charming, frothy flowers in the summer.
Expert Tip from MrPlanter: “Plant Lady’s Mantle ‘Irish Silk’ in groups for a stunning effect. It looks great alongside ferns and hostas for a lovely shade garden.”