Maybe you’re working with a window box tucked under your porch eaves. Maybe you’ve got an empty perennial bed on the north side of a building. Or maybe you’re simply trying to tackle the bare area under the trees. In any case, you’ve got a spot that is seriously lacking in sunlight.
Guess what? You can create a garden that thrives in that tricky shade site! Picking the right plants means understanding your garden’s specific shade conditions. Not all shade is the same; soil type and moisture level play a huge role on what flourishes or fails. Shady sites often retain water longer than those exposed to full sun and wind. This can benefit plants that prefer cool, moist growing conditions, but it may be a real struggle if you are working with heavy, clay soil that just won’t drain.
Conversely, gardeners working along a building foundation or under a dense tree canopy can face the dreaded dry shade. No matter how much rain your region gets, these protected locations barely feel a drop. Unless you plan on diligent supplemental watering, it’s best to pick plants that are semi drought-tolerant for these sites.
All these combinations of light level, soil type, and moisture amount can get overwhelming! Luckily, there are plenty of hassle-free options that will grow happily in the shade. Here are some low-maintenance plants to pop in the shade.
Lungwort
With their diminutive pink and blue flowers and silvery mottled leaves, lungworts are an eye-catching addition to the shade garden. Lungworts have unique flowers that typically open pink, then gradually age to violet or pale blue. An individual plant will often sport multiple colors simultaneously. This early bloomer brings much-needed color to the landscape and can be easily paired with hellebores and grape hyacinth for a stunning spring display.
Lungworts prefer moderate moisture; conditions that are too dry or too waterlogged are not ideal for this perennial. Lungworts aren’t overly picky about soil type – they happily emerge from the dusty ditch adjacent to my gravel road each spring without fail – however, feel free to amend particularly nutrient-poor soil with a bit of compost prior to planting these beauties.
Pulmonaria are relatively slow-growing. Remove old, faded leaves after flowering, and divide mature plants every few years in the fall. Their clumping growth habit and short stature make lungworts ideal for planting under larger shrubs and along shady pathways.
Turtlehead
Looking for a snapdragon-esque stunner that blooms even in wet soils and shady spaces? Enter, turtlehead! True to its common name, this perennial boasts sturdy spires of white or pink two-lipped flowers that indeed resemble a turtle’s face.
Turtlehead bursts into bloom in late summer and supports a host of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Its late-season bloom time makes it a particularly important source of food for migrating pollinators.
Turtlehead flourishes in moist soil chock full of organic matter; however, it is very adaptable to most garden soil types. Found along damp streambanks throughout most of the eastern half of North America, turtlehead thrives in gardens that mimic its native habitat. This perennial is an excellent choice for woodland borders and rain gardens.
Siberian Bugloss
Similar to lungworts, Siberian bugloss sports luminous green and silver leaves that really light up a shady corner of the garden. Come spring and early summer, sprays of delicate pale blue flowers form an elegant cloud atop this clumping perennial.
Siberian bugloss is an easy groundcover. It grows slowly via rhizomes but also freely self-sows. Sometimes they self-sow too freely. However, their speckled, heart-shaped leaves are easily recognizable, and unwanted seedlings can be easily identified and pulled out the following spring. This plant prefers moist soil rich in organic matter. While Siberian bugloss does not require any supplemental fertilizer, occasional mulching with leaf mold or shredded bark will help keep the soil cool and moist.
Brunnera macrophylla is in the Boraginaceae family, along with popular annual herb borage. Like borage, Siberian bugloss has textured, fuzzy leaves that deer, rabbits, and slugs find unpleasant and largely ignore. This trait, plus its mounding growth habit and tolerance of shade, make Siberian bugloss an excellent alternative to traditional hostas.
Coleus
As gardeners, we sometimes get so wrapped up in flowers and fruits that we forget about foliage! However, one quick glance at a six-pack of coleus instantly reminds us that plant foliage can really dazzle. Plant breeders have had a field day with this hardy plant, and as such, there are hundreds of coleus varieties to choose from.
Looking for a bold red leaf? Try ColorBlaze Ridiculous. Need a low-growing pop of color for a hanging basket? Try Burgundy Wedding Train. From lime green to near-black burgundy, coleus can be found in just about every color under the sun. And speaking of sun: while nearly all coleus types grow happily in the shade, newer types can handle full sun.
Coleus is a low-maintenance addition to beds, borders, pots, and planters. Plant this heat-tolerant plant in lightweight, well-drained soil, and be sure to water consistently. Coleus are quite sensitive to cold temperatures; in all but the warmest growing zones, they are generally treated like annuals.
Coleus can be started from seed. However, like other members of the mint (Lamiaceae) family, coleus can very easily be propagated via cuttings. Simply snip off a healthy stem just above a leaf node, place the cutting in fresh water, and wait for roots to form.
Foamflower
Tiarella is a small, mounding perennial native to moist woodlands and streambanks across North America. Tiarella cordifolia hails from eastern regions, while Tiarella trifoliata is native to the West coast. Both species are characterized by their lobed, heart-shaped foliage that fades to a lovely worn bronze in the fall. Spikes of foamy white or pale pink flowers appear mid spring.
Foamflower does best in rich, fertile soils that are slightly acidic to neutral. This plant requires consistently moist soil but does not appreciate standing water, particularly during the cooler months. A lovely, low-maintenance addition to the shade garden, foamflower can be paired with trillium and hellebores for a sweet display of spring ephemerals.
Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra elatior is about as low-maintenance as it gets! Very appropriately dubbed “cast iron plant”, this sturdy, nearly indestructible evergreen has no strict soil requirements and is relatively drought-tolerant.
Easily grown as a houseplant anywhere, cast iron plant is grown outdoors in our warmest growing climates where a hard frost is unlikely. Water this plant regularly after initial planting, but cut back once established; cast iron plant is prone to root rot if overwatered.
This plant flourishes in partial to full shade, and too much direct sun can actually scorch the leaves. While Aspidistra elatior typically boasts glossy, solid green leaves, cultivars like ‘Milky Way’ sport speckled foliage, while ‘Lennon’s Song’ and ‘Ippin’ are variegated types. Cast iron plants are low-maintenance and grow slowly via rhizomes, making them excellent ground cover for shaded landscapes.
Appalachian Sedge
Carex appalachica is a fine-textured, clump-forming sedge native to eastern North America. This graceful groundcover boasts brilliant emerald green foliage that blows almost like hair in the breeze. Tiny brown flower spikes form in the spring and attract loads of seed-eating birds and mammals.
Don’t be fooled by this sedge’s delicate appearance; it’s hardy in every zone from Quebec to Georgia, is quite tolerant of poor soils, and has even been known to grow well under black walnut trees. It thrives in dry shade, one of the most challenging sites a gardener can dig into.
Plant Appalachian sedge en masse under a tree or on a shady slope for a luscious lawn alternative. Cut this plant back in late winter to promote denser foliage growth, but don’t sweat if you forget to do so; it will still grow just fine.
Hellebore
Also known as winter rose or Lenten rose, hellebores are not actually roses at all. That doesn’t make these classy beauties any less striking. Leathery, evergreen foliage provides a low-growing clumps of groundcover year-round. Elegant flowers in shades of pale cream, dusty pink, wine, and rich purple emerge in early spring between February and May, often providing much-needed color in regions where snow is still on the ground.
Hardy and long-lived, hellebores don’t need much to look fabulous. These low-maintenance plants grow best in partial shade, nestled in fertile, well-drained soil. Hellebores will grow easily in full shade too, but they may not flower quite as prolifically. Plant these pretty perennials at the front of a border garden or under a larger shrub, where they can be protected from harsh, drying winds.
Impatiens
A gardener can’t make it through a greenhouse or plant nursery without knocking over a flat of impatiens. They are immensely popular. These African tropical plants brighten a shady garden with loads of dazzling white, pink, violet, coral, or red blooms. Impatiens are fantastic container or hanging basket plants and planted en masse, they can make an impressive bedding plant.
Botanically speaking, impatiens are tender perennials in our warmest, frost-free growing zones; however, these shade-tolerant species are typically grown as low-maintenance annual plants. There are two main species of impatiens, Impatiens walleriana and Impatiens hawkeri (New Guinea impatiens). They look quite different but can be grown in near-identical conditions. Both types grow happily in partial shade and prefer fertile, well-drained soil that is high in organic matter.
Although relatively carefree, some impatiens (particularly I. walleriana cultivars) are susceptible to downy mildew. Downy mildew thrives in consistently wet, cool conditions. Water impatiens during the warmest part of the day and avoid soaking the leaves to prevent this water-borne mold.
Astilbe
Mid-summer is a notoriously slow period in the shade garden. The spring ephemerals have just faded and the late summer buds haven’t quite opened yet. This is when Astilbes, also known as false spirea, save the day.
There are over two dozen species and hundreds of available Astilbe cultivars out there, each bred to bloom at a slightly different time. Plant several different cultivars and your garden will overflow with color from June through August. Native to China and Japan, Astilbe features fern-like foliage and feathery spikes of white, rosy pink, purple, and soft red flowers.
While this perennial requires little to no regular maintenance, Astilbe does look best when well-watered. Plant in moist soils, and be sure to give it some extra watering TLC during the hottest weeks of summer. Astilbe is a slow-growing plant that can go several years before needing to be divided. Their plumage-like blooms are excellent cut flowers, both fresh and dried.
Browallia
Also known as amethyst flower and bush violet, this cheery little plant thrives in the heat and humidity. Browallia grows as a lush green mat of foliage accented by purple, blue, or white star-shaped flowers. Grown primarily as an annual, Browallia is actually a tender perennial native to South America.
Except for occasional pruning to encourage a bushier growth habit, this plant requires almost no maintenance. It blooms continuously without deadheading. Plant Browallia in partial to full shade, in rich, moist soil; as a tropical plant, it prefers humidity over dry conditions. Try this darling little trailer in window boxes, containers, hanging baskets, or draped over a shady stone wall.
Columbine
The iconic columbine is easy to recognize. Lobed, blue-green leaves produce delicate, wiry flower stalks topped with small, buttercup-like blossoms with spurred ends. Adding to their intricate shape, petals are often bicolored and come in shades of yellow, pink, red, blue, and purple. Known botanically as Aquilegia, these low-maintenance shade plants are loved by gardeners and pollinators alike.
There are over 70 species of Aquilegia scattered around the shady meadows and woodlands of the Northern Hemisphere. Several are native to North America, and horticulturists have created dozens more cultivars; as such, there are endless color combinations and sizes to choose from. Aquilegia canadensis, native to northeastern North America, boasts bright red, hummingbird-attracting blooms. The blue and violet flowers of Aquilegia caerulea, a native of high elevations in Colorado, are favored by bees.
These cold-hardy perennials are short-lived but freely self-sow, making them perfect for alpine gardens and informal shade settings. Their leaves are evergreen in many climates. Columbine prefers well-drained soils with a mix of sun and shade. Scoop a bit of compost into your planting location if your soils are particularly poor, but columbines will grow happily without needing additional fertilizer.
Ligularia
There is no shortage of pink and purple shade plants, which makes the brilliant yellow of Ligularia really stand out in the crowd. This low-maintenance perennial forms clumps of dark green to burgundy leaves with purple undersides. Beginning mid-summer, spires of bright yellow daisy-shaped burst up from mounds of foliage to attract plenty of bees and butterflies.
Also known as leopard plant, Ligularia thrives in partial to full shade with plenty of moisture—it does not appreciate dry soil or direct sun, and it will let you know by wilting. If it doesn’t perk up by the end of the day, move it to a cooler location and increase your watering frequency. Plant with turtlehead, blue flag iris, and other water-loving plants in low-maintenance rain gardens or alongside shaded ponds.
Sword Fern
I couldn’t make it to the end of a shade plant article without mentioning low-maintenance ferns. There are nearly 400 species of ferns found in North America, after all. Sword ferns are a semi-evergreen perennial native to the damp understory of coniferous forests along the West Coast. They bear vivid green, deeply toothed fronds that measure up to four feet in length.
Polystichum munitum is particularly hardy and low-maintenance. It flourishes in fertile, slightly acidic soil. However, it is quick to adapt to average soil pH, provided it is kept well-watered. Also known as California sword fern or Western sword fern, this lush plant lends a prehistoric vibe to the shade garden. Pair it with foamflower, Siberian bugloss, and other low-maintenance, moisture-loving shade plants.
White Wood Aster
The term “asters” may conjure up images of brilliant fall blooms flowering in the full sun, but the white wood aster is here to shake that notion up! Like Appalachian sedge, Eurybia divaricata is quite happy in shady, dry soils.
I’m in the process of slowly rewilding a grass lawn that was struggling under the canopy of several maple trees, and I was pleased to see the white wood aster emerge after just a year of not mowing! Delicate white flowers form in late summer, and the seeds that follow are an important source of food for birds.
This hardy, unassuming perennial is native to eastern North America. Plant white wood aster in woodland borders or shady naturalized gardens. It packs the biggest punch when planted en masse over a large area. It spreads easily via rhizomes, but you can also propagate this plant by dividing it in the early spring.
