The dense canopy of a shade tree provides a cool hideaway on a hot summer day.
What it doesn’t provide is enough light for grass and many flowers to grow, but don’t get discouraged! With these plants, you can have your shade and garden too. Keep in mind that many shade-loving plants will not have the same large blooms that sun-lovers generally have.
Add interest by combining different foliage textures and colors. Most varieties do best with filtered/dappled light, those marked with an asterisk (*) will handle dense shade, though they may not bloom as much.
Perennials
Acorus*
Brunnera*
Helleborus*
Ligularia*
Pulmonaria*
Aruncus
Carex (Sedge)
Heuchera
Perennial Ferns*
Tiarella
Astilbe*
Dicentra*
Heucherella
Polemonium*
Tradescantia
Bergenia*
Epimedium*
Hosta*
Polygonatum*
Tricyrtis*
Annuals
Usually bloom best with some morning sunlight or filtered light. May not bloom in complete shade.
Begonia
Boston Fern
Impatiens
Browallia
Kimberly Queen Fern
Purple Spiderwort
Caladium
Fuchsia
Streptocarpus
Coleus
Hypoestes
Torenia
Shrubs
Many of the listed shrubs prefer to receive some sun during the day, or filtered light. When planted in dense shade, they may grow slower than usual.
Azalea
Hamamelis (Witch Hazel)
Japanese Maple
Rhododendron
Yew
Boxwood
Holly
Kerria Japonica*
Serviceberry
Dogwood
Hydrangea
Nandina*
Viburnum
Fothergilla
Itea* (Sweetspire)
Pieris Japonica*
Wintergreen* (Gaultheria)
Ground Covers
Aegopodium*
English Ivy
Creeping Jenny
Ajuga
Galium*
Pachysandra*
Boston Ivy
Lamium*
Vinca Minor* (Myrtle)
Lily-of-the-Valley*
Liriope
