Shade Plants

The amount of shade a garden receives can vary considerably.

The amount of light your shade garden receives will determine which plants will thrive in it. Woodland plants native to your area are the best choice for dense shade, although they are not the only plants that will thrive without sunlight. Light shade occurs when the sunlight is filtered by a tree or other large object. Some shade gardens receive full sun during part of the day, such as the morning, afternoon or evening. This is called intermittent shade.

Begonia

Pink begonia in bloom.

Wax begonias are annual plants that bloom nonstop all summer long. An annual plant is one that flowers, sets seeds and dies in a single growing season. Dragon Wing begonias begin blooming in early spring and continue blooming right up to the first frost. Tuberous begonia and Rex begonia are two other commonly grown varieties. Rex begonias are grown for their foliage. Perennial begonias are hardy to U.S. Department of Agricultural hardiness zone 6 and range in height from 2 to 3 feet tall. Perennial begonias, which come back in the garden every year, do better towards the center or back of the shade garden border.

Dicentra

Dicentra spectabilis in bloom.

Dicentra spectabilis, the old-fashion bleeding heart and Dicentra formosa, the fringed-leaf bleeding heart aptly named because of the ferny foliage, add color and texture to the shade garden. In addition to the dramatic heart-shaped pink, red or white flowers, some varieties have yellow foliage. Dicentra thrives in moist, well-drained soil in light or intermittent shade. Dicentra spectabilis blooms in June and is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 9. Dicentra formosa begins blooming in May and continues blooming through August. It is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9.

Hellebore

Hellebore flowers come in a wide range of colors from white to dusky purple.

Create year-round interest in the shade garden with hellebores. These tough plants remain evergreen during the winter, even under snow. Some varieties begin blooming in November and continue to bloom all winter long. Hellebore is an excellent choice for interplanting with dicentra or hosta, in well-drained soil rich in organic matter. Hellebore hardiness varies considerably depending on which variety you choose.

Hosta

Hostas create a nice mound of color in the shade garden.

Hostas are a popular shade garden plant, according to Ohio State University Extension. The range of foliage colors, textures and shapes add interest to the shade garden. The white or purple flowers attract a variety of beneficial insects. Some varieties of hosta have flowers that release a sweet fragrance at dusk. Hostas range in size from a few inches in diameter to over 8 feet wide, depending on the exact cultivar. Hostas are hardy in USDA zones 3 through 10.

References

• Clemson Cooperative Extension; Begonia; Karen Russ, et al.; September 2007
• University of Illinois Extension: Fringed Leaf Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa)
• University of Illinois Extension: Old Fashion Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
• University of Missouri Extension; Hellebores Are a Good Way to Beat Winter Garden Blues; Mary Kroening; March 2010
• Ohio State University Extension; Growing Hostas; Gretchen Heinke, et al.
• University of Minnesota Extension; Gardening in the Shade; Deborah L. Brown; 2011

Resources

• Clemson Cooperative Extension; Plants for Shade; Karen Russ; October 2004