Here are the best examples of partial and full-shadeplants that will thrivein lower-light conditions in your garden.
Warning
Some of the full and partial-shade plants listed here might be toxic to humans and animals.
Hetzs Japanese holly is evergreen, so it offers color all year.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It grows in full sun and partial shade but will struggle in heat or hot afternoon sun.
Japanese holly is toxic to humans, dogs,2 and cats.
This shrub offers good winter color because of its dark berries and evergreen foliage.
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The leaves and berries are toxic to humans and pets.
Hemlocks have tiny fragrant needles and oval-shaped seed cones.
This stately tree looks beautiful throughout the seasons and grows about 1 to 2 feet annually.
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Yew
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Yews(Taxusspp.)
are adaptable evergreen trees and shrubs that tolerate shade and are planted as foundation plants or privacy hedges.
Too much shade can cause a yew to be less robust.
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You’ll find over 400 cultivars of yew that all grow at different heights and widths.
Yew bark, needles, and fruits are toxic to humans and animals.
As whimsical as these flowers look, plants in theDicentragenus are toxic to humans and pets.
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Sparkling berries catch visual interest throughout the seasons in a shade garden.
The plant is mesmerizing to watch but it’s also highly toxic to humans and animals.
Its blooms are long-lasting and provide an early source of pollen for bees.
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The flowers come in various colors and can have markings such as freckling or veining.
Its sepals look like petals and can have either smooth or ruffled edges depending on the variety.
All parts of this plant, including its roots, are toxic to humans and animals.
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Other than needing plenty of shade and water, this plant is trouble-free.
The plant is named for its clusters of buds that open to display delicate, frilly blue trumpet-shaped blossoms.
This plant prefers shade or partial shade and regular water.
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Toad lily is toxic to cats.
Note that the plant won’t profusely bloom if it receives too much sunlight.
Impatiens are popular bedding plants in North America for adding color to shady areas.
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Coleus
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Coleus (Plectranthusscutellarioides) is grownfor its exquisitely patterned and variegated foliage.
The fast-growing plant creates a stunning swath of vivid color in a shady area.
Foliage often looks as though shades of purple or red paint have been strategically splashed onto its foliage.
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It is toxic to animals.
Varieties with a cascading growth habit are typically grown in hanging baskets.
It’s generally grown for its silvery leaves rather than its pink, purple, or white flowers.
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The plant is a perennial in warmer climates.
It’s also tough, low-maintenance, and pest-free.
For larger flowers, consider its sister,bigleaf periwinkle.
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And although deer might browse the plant, it’s typically not demolished by foraging.
This plant has glossy green leaves and when grown outdoors, it produces insignificant cream or purple flowers.
Hostas(Hostaspp.)
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Hostas are toxic to pets.
It’s also considered variegated because it has hits of grayish-green in the foliage and purplish midribs.
The fern is a slow-growing plant.
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Fragrant white flowers bloom in spring and summer and add visual interest to walls and fences.
Climbing hydrangea is toxic to animals.
Boston Ivy
Boston ivy(Parthenocissus tricuspidata)is grown for its foliage, not flowers.
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The vibrant green foliage it provides in summer shade adds elegance and privacy to a shady nook.
There are a few caveats with Boston ivy.
Don’t let it climb up a tree because it will disrupt the tree’s growth.
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Boston ivy can damage wood siding, gutters, and even roofing if it is left unsupervised.
In some parts of North America, growing prolific Boston ivy is discouraged.
Boston ivy is often confused withVirginia creeper(Parthenocissus quinquefolia),which is slightly toxic to humans.
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Coral Bells
Coral bells (Heucheraspp.)
grow well in semi-shady locations, such as under shade trees, in well-draining, organically rich soil.
Avoid damp, shady spots because that will only encourage fungal diseases.
The Spruce / David Beaulieu
They are short-lived perennials and need regular division or they will die out in a few years after planting.
Small bell-shaped flowers will begin blooming in spring or early summer on tall stems.
Newer varieties offer leaves in shades of purple, rose, lime green, gold, and more.
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Astilbe
Astilbe(Astilbespp.)
is one of the easiest perennial flowers to grow, especially if planted in part shade.
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.
The Spruce / K. Dave
Holly Berries.Poison Control, National Capital Poison Center.
Poisonous and Non-Poisonous Plants.National Capital Poison Center Poison Control.
Dicentra.North Carolina State University Extension.
Hosta ElegansSvetlanaKlaise / Getty Images
Bleeding Hearts.Pet Poison Helpline.
Jack-in-the-pulpit poisoning.Mount Sinai Hospital.
Lenten Rose.University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.
Ed Reschke / Getty Images
Spotted deadnettle.Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.
North Carolina State University Extension.
Dwarf dogwood.Valdez Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Toxic and Non-toxic Plants, Hydrangea.ASPCA.
Virginia creeper and woodbine.Colorado State University.
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The Spruce / Autumn Wood
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
