A shady garden is one that receivesless than four hours of direct sunper day.
Some shade-loving perennials are adaptable to a wide range of sunlight, fromfull sun to shade.
Here is a list of 30 perennial flowering plants that grow well inpartial to full shade.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
This is an excellent plant for late-season color when most other plants have ended their bloom period.
Columbine
Butterflies and hummingbirds can’t resist the delicate, nectar-filled blossoms of columbine.
This is a very easy plant to grow in shade, and it often spreads by self-seeding.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Growing about two feet tall, columbine usually blooms in late spring and early summer.
Columbine is prone toleaf miners, but you might always cut back the foliage after it blooms.
False Spirea (Astilbe spp.)
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
These plants grow best in part shade but can also tolerate full sun or even full shade.
They are heavy feeders and prefer moist conditions so don’t let their soil dry out.
Except for dividing your astilbe plants every three years or so, they require little effort.
49pauly / Getty Images
Black Cohosh
Also known as bugbane, black cohosh is aperfect perennial flowerfor shade.
It blooms well even with little direct sunlight.
Strong winds can damage this plant, so be sure to situate it in a sheltered spot.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Bleeding Heart
Bleeding heart is another flower that blooms well in deep shade.
The flowers are delicate heart-shaped drops in shades of pink with white tips.
Aim to keep its soil evenly moist but not soggy throughout the growing season.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Some varieties are evergreen in warm climates.
This plant tolerates full shade, but it will bloom best in partial shade.
(Primulacomes from Latin for “little first one”).
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
The bright blooms rise above the deep green foliage on sturdy stalks.
These plants can handle some sun in the spring.
But after temperatures warm up, they require at least partial shade.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Meadow Rue
Meadow rue grows with a clump of blue-green, lacy foliage at its base.
Then, the fuzzy flowers rise above the foliage in the late spring to summer.
This plant can tolerate full sun, but it prefers a spot that receives dappled shade.
koromelena / Getty Images
In hot climates, this plant must have shade.
Its a fairlylow-maintenance perennial, though it doesnt like its roots disturbed.
Lungwort
Lungwort (also known as Bethlehem sage) is known for both itsfoliageand flowers.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
It blooms in the spring with flowers that start out pink but mature to blue.
The dark green leaves feature spots of white.
Full sun can burn or wilt the foliage, so partial shade is absolutely necessary.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Prefers evenly moist (not soggy), well-drained soil.
This is an excellent flower for mass plantings.
It needs dappled shade because the sun can easily scorch its foliage.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
This plant is ephemeral, which means that its foliage dies back and disappears after the blooms fade.
It requires at least partial shade but can also thrive in complete shade.
The elegant foliage remains, adding interest to a summer garden.
ValaGrenier / Getty Images
Flowers are followed by deep blue berries that attract birds and small mammals.
Solomon’s Seal is mildly toxic to people and pets.
Hostas are toxic to cats and dogs.
Catherine McQueen / Getty Images
In southern zones flowers appear as early as Christmas according it the common name Lenten or Christmas rose.
Flowers nestle amid dark green, palm-shaped leaves with an attractive clumping habit and evergreen foliage adds year-long interest.
Hellebore prefers shade in summer and sun in winter making it a great choice to plant under trees.
Wirestock / Getty Images
Every part of a hellebore is toxic to people, dogs, cats and horses.
Foliage holds its place in the garden through fall but summer heat can give it a ragged look.
Keep this shade-loving plant well watered and divide to control spread.
Jackie Parker Photography / Getty Images
Lily of the valley is toxic to people and pets.
Several types are available, some with variegated leaves.
Blooms can form along the stem or in a grouping at the top of the plant depending on variety.
Michel VIARD / Getty Images
Toad lily is toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
Small, bell-shaped flowers with spotted lips appear in late spring and bloom off and on through fall.
Foliage can be evergreen or semi-evergreen in warmer zones.
Oleg Marchak / Getty Images
Considered a short-lived perennial, Corydalis self-seeds readily to hold its place in the shade garden for many years.
Blooms appear in late spring lasting through mid-summer, each one opening for a single day.
Spiderwort self-seeds readily and sends up plenty of leaves and flowers to form a clumping habit similar to lilies.
mgfoto / Getty Images
Five petaled flowers bloom in March, early April and sporadically throughout the growing season.
It is toxic to dog, cats and horses.
Flowers open from mid-spring to early June.
undefined undefined / Getty Images
Indian pink is toxic to people and dogs, cats and horses.
Burgundy red blooms open for a short period in mid-spring hidden underneath foliage that lasts until frost.
Goatsbeard
If you want to add height to your shade garden, goatsbeard is an ideal choice.
Kebal Aleksandra / GettyImages
It has a clumping, shrublike habit, growing to six feet tall and two to four feet wide.
Spikes of creamy white flowers open above foliage from late spring to early summer.
Goatsbeard adapts to soil throw in but requires some morning or afternoon filtered sun for best flowering.
Richard Barrow / Getty Images
Wood poppies grow best in filtered sunlight.
A spring ephemeral, the bits of foliage die back in early summer.
At home on the forest floor, woodland phlox grows best in dappled shade.
Marcia Straub / Getty Images
Jacob’s ladder blooms from late spring into summer.
Richly colored flowers are small and flat topped with drooping petals in shades uncommon to other irises.
This wildflower features grass-like foliage and spreads throughrhizomes.
Wirestock / Getty Images
Copper iris is a nectar source for hummingbirds and butterflies.
6bc Botanical Garden
Hungry For Hostas?Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners
Helleborus.
ASPCA
Lily of the Valley.
Jackie Parker Photography / Getty Images
Mount Sinai
Lily of the Valley.
ASPCA
Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Lists, Dogs, Cats, Horses.
North Carolina Master Gardener’s Toolbox
Indian Pink.
Anne Lindgren / Getty Images
ASPCA
Dutchman’s Breeches.
Galina Sandalova / Getty Images
AndyKrakovski / Getty Images
McKinneMike / Getty Images
Jose A Feliciano Cestero / Getty Images
Paul Starosta / Getty Images
