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Shady Characters for Shady Gardens

Released 05-18-00
by B. Rosie Lerner, Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist

Plants differ in their adaptability to different growing conditions with sunshine being one of the most significant factors. We often think of light as being either sunny or shady, but, in fact, there are many "shades" of light in between. Your garden may experience light shade, such as that filtered through an overhanging tree; dense shade, such as that found in a woodlands; or intermittent shade from an object, such as a building that blocks the sun for only a portion of the day. Some sites vary in their light exposure, depending on the season&emdash;wooded areas usually have much more sunlight in winter and spring when the trees are bare than in spring and summer when the foliage blocks the light.

Most plants perform best in full sunlight, but may be able to tolerate semi-shady conditions. Trimming nearby trees and shrubs may help increase the light. Some plants may produce lots of lush foliage in the shade but may produce few or no flowers unless adequate sunlight is available. Thankfully, there are a number of plants that thrive in the shade.

Perennial Flowers for Semi-Shade Areas

Anchusa azurea (Italian Bugloss)
Anemone pulsatilla (Pasque Flower)
Aquilegia sp. (Columbine)
Astilbe x Arendsii (Astilbe or False Spirea)
Iberis sempervivens (Candytuft)
Lamium maculatum (Spotted Deadnettle)
Rudbeckia hirta (Black-eyed Susan)
Veronica sp. (Speedwell)

Perennial Flowers for Shade Areas

Bergenia cordifolia (Heartleaf Bergenia)
Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian Bugloss)
Hosta sp. (Plantain Lily or Funkia)
Lobelia sp. (Cardinal Flower)
Lunaria annua (Honesty or Money Plant)
Mertensia virginica (Bluebells)
Monarda didyma (Bee Balm)
Mysotis scorpiodes (Forget-Me-Not)
Poleomonium caeruleum (Jacob's Ladder)
Primula sp. (Primrose)
Pulmonaria saccharata (Lungwort)
Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot)
Thalictrum aquilegifolium (Meadow-rue)
Viola sp. (Violets)

Annual Flowers for Semi-Shade Areas

Ageratum houstonianum (Ageratum or Flossflower)
Begonia sp. (Begonia)
Calendula officinalis (Pot Marigold)
Callistephus chinensis (China Aster)
Catharanthus rosea (Vinca)
Coreopsis tinctoria (Calliopsis)
Dianthus chinensis (Garden Pink)
Impatiens walleriana (Impatiens)
Lathyrus odorata (Sweet Pea)
Limonium sinuatum (Russian Statice)
Lobelia erinus (Edging Lobelia)
Lobularia maritima (Sweet Alyssum)
Nirembergia hippomanica (Blue Cup Flower)
Petunia x hybrida (Petunia)
Phlox drummondi (Annual Phlox)
Portulaca grandiflora (Moss Rose)
Sanvitalia procumbens (Creeping Zinnia)
Scabiosa atropurpurea (Starflower or Sweet Scabious)
Torenia fournieri (Wishbone Flower)
Tropaeolum majus (Nasturtium)
Verbena x hybrida (Garden Verbena)
Viola x wittrockiana (Pansy)

Annual Flowers for Shade Areas

Begonia sp. (Begonia)
Coleus x hybridus (Coleus)
Impatiens walleriana (Impatiens)

Some Handy References:

Taylor's Guide to: several volumes, including Ground Covers, Vines, and Grasses, 1987, Houghton Mifflin Co. Also titles on Annuals, Perennials, Bulbs, etc.

The National Arboretum Book of Outstanding Garden Plants, J. Heriteau and M. Cathey, Simon and Schuster, 1990.

 

Site last updated: 10 April 2006

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