In this post, we’ll explore what grows best in shade, from the lack of light to the way plants can transform these shaded spaces. We will also unveil the top 10 plants that are not only shade-tolerant but capable of enchanting with their varied foliage, unique flowers, and abilities to thrive without the sun’s direct gaze.
Shade gardens are not a single ecological zone. They can encompass a wide range of conditions, from the dappled light beneath a high canopy to the near-complete darkness of a city courtyard. Understanding these variations is crucial to selecting the right plants for your specific shade configuration.
Types of Shade
Full Shade
Defined as an area that receives less than three hours of direct sunlight, full shade is the most light-deprived condition for a plant. It’s common under dense tree canopies and beneath structures that block the sun’s rays.
Partial Shade
Also known as semi-shade or dappled shade, this area receives between three to six hours of light, but it’s often indirect or filtered through trees or structures.
Open Shade
This is an intermediate stage between areas of partial and full shade. Plants in open shade may receive light from open areas or through the gaps in a more sparsely leafed canopy.
Top 10 Plants That Thrive Without the Spotlight
When selecting plants for your shade garden, it’s important to consider the specific type of shade you’re working with, soil conditions, and the amount of foot traffic the area receives. Below are ten resilient and beautiful plants that can transform your shadowy oasis into a lush retreat.
1. Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)
Why Impatiens Love Shade
These vibrant little beauties, often referred to as “busy Lizzies,” are the darlings of the annual planting world, and partial to the dappled light of a cool, moist shade. They come in a rainbow of colors and will bloom throughout the summer months.
How to Grow Impatiens
Plant them in well-drained soil with a good amount of organic matter. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and protect them from strong winds, which they dislike.
2. Hostas (Hosta spp.)
Why Hostas Love Shade
Hostas are workhorses of the shade garden, with their broad, often variegated, and sometimes textured foliage. They can handle the moist, often acidic soil under tree canopies or in moist woodland settings.
How to Grow Hostas
Rich, loamy soil with a pH near neutral is best. Mulch to maintain moisture and keep them weed-free. They’re great for borders or as accent plants.
3. Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.)
Why Lungworts Love Shade
Lungwort’s distinctive spotted leaves and blue, pink, or white flowers make it a favorite. It grows naturally on forest floors, indicating its adaptability to shade and woodland conditions.
How to Grow Lungworts
Like their natural habitat, they prefer rich, moist, well-draining soil. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage a second blooming and maintain a tidy appearance.
4. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
Why Bleeding Hearts Love Shade
The arching sprays of heart-shaped flowers on fern-like foliage are a dramatic accent for any shady spot. Bleeding hearts thrive in the cool, moist conditions of a woodland garden.
How to Grow Bleeding Hearts
Preferring soil that’s rich and humusy, they’re excellent for naturalizing in wooded areas. Be sure to water regularly to keep the soil moist.
5. Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
Why Coral Bells Love Shade
Coral Bells are appreciated for their vibrant foliage, available in shades from silver to deep purple. They can tolerate a range of shade conditions and have a delicate cluster of flowers that shoot up on thin stalks.
How to Grow Coral Bells
With moist, but not waterlogged soil, these beauties will brighten up any shady spot, from containers to border edgings.
6. Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum spp.)
Why Solomon’s Seal Loves Shade
This elegant, arching plant is a classic woodland garden favorite. The dangling white or green bell-shaped flowers and blue-black berries are a visual treat for the shade gardener.
How to Grow Solomon’s Seal
Plant in humus-rich soil and keep consistently moist, especially in the heat of summer. Avoid disturbing the rhizomes too much, as they may not come back the following year.
7. Foxgloves (Digitalis purpurea)
Why Foxgloves Love Shade
Foxgloves bring height to the shady garden with their impressive spires of tubular flowers. They are biennials, so in year one, they produce a rosette of leaves before sending up flower spikes in year two.
How to Grow Foxgloves
They like rich, moist soil and are great under trees or as a naturalizing element in a woodland garden.
8. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
Why Bugleweed Loves Shade
Bugleweed’s colorful foliage and spikes of blue flowers make it a striking ground cover for part to full shade. It can even tolerate a bit of foot traffic, so it’s a great choice for paths and between stepping stones.
How to Grow Bugleweed
It prefers slightly acidic soil that is kept evenly moist. It can spread rapidly, so planting in areas where you’d like to prevent erosion can be beneficial.
9. Astilbes (Astilbe spp.)
Why Astilbes Love Shade
The feathery, plume-like flower heads of astilbes come in a range of colors and add some much-needed texture to the shade garden. They need consistently moist soil to truly thrive.
How to Grow Astilbes
Ensure they get enough water, especially in the heat of the summer, and they’ll reward you with bursts of color in the middle of the garden.
10. Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)
Why Columbines Love Shade
The delicate, spurred flowers of columbines add a wild and whimsical touch to the shade garden. They can handle a range of shade conditions, from dappled to part shade, and are excellent for attracting pollinators.
How to Grow Columbines
Keep the soil well-drained and lightly moist, and they’ll naturalize quickly in a woodland setting.
Caring for Your Shade Garden
The key to a thriving shade garden is regular maintenance. While many shade-tolerant plants are relatively low maintenance, they still require care to look their best.
Basic Care Tips
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially in the heat of summer. The frequency will depend on your specific conditions, so monitor the moisture levels of your soil.
- Mulching: Mulch helps to retain moisture, prevent weeds, and keep the soil cool. Apply a layer of organic mulch each spring.
- Fertilizing: The ecology of a shade garden can quickly deplete soil nutrients. Fertilize your garden with a well-balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring.
- Deadheading: To encourage more blooms, remove wilted flowers as they appear. This also keeps the garden looking tidy.
- Pruning: Some shade plants benefit from periodic pruning to maintain shape and health. Prune in the spring, right before the growing season.
- Weeding: Although shade and moisture can encourage weed growth, be cautious of disturbing the root systems of the plants you’re cultivating.
Happy Shade Gardening!
Shade gardening can be just as rewarding and colorful as its sun-loving counterpart. By understanding the unique requirements of plants that prefer dimmer environments, you can craft a space that not only survives, but thrives in the shadows. Whether you’re cultivating a woodland garden, designing a serene city oasis, or just looking to spruce up a shady corner, the diversity and resilience of shade-loving plants offer endless possibilities.
Please be sure to check out my Gardening Blog Post Page for more tips on all types of gardening. Including Seed Starting, Orchids, Water Gardening, Coldframe Gardening, Indoor Bulb Gardening, Hydroponics, Container Gardening, Mums, Herbs, African Violets, planting Bulbs, Flower Gardening, Vegetable and Fruit Gardening, Indoor Houseplants of all kinds, Cactus, Succulents, Hanging plants, Deer resistant plants and even Bird, Bee, Butterfly and Hummingbird Gardens!