Planting in shady spots in a garden can be tricky. While sunny areas may be bursting with self-growing wildflowers or full-sun annuals in an array of colors, heavily shaded areas can sit there with bald spots that only have a scraggle of leggy, slow-growing wan-colored plants.
Fortunately there are all kinds of lovely shade-loving plants—both flowers and foliage—that are likely to thrive in even the shadiest areas of your garden or yard. In general (though not always), plants grow more slowly in shade. While hostas and ferns are many gardeners’ go-to perennials for shady areas (and don’t get us wrong, we love them and have included them here), there are also a number of more underrated plants, including astilbe, foam flower, and Siberian bugloss, that are a little more unusual and striking and that we think you’ll love to know about.
As always, double-check that a particular plant will thrive in your particular USDA Hardiness Zone before purchasing anything. ( You can find your zone here.)
More ideas for the shady spots in your yard:
Spiderwort
Spiderwort or tradescantia is a part shade—not deep shade—plant. It features an intricate flower and can grow anywhere from a foot-and-a-half to two feet tall.
“The variety Sweet Kate has unique, chartreuse-colored leaves,” says Beyers.
Varieties to try: Sweet Kate, Concord Grape, Webmaster
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Ligularia
Sometimes called “leopard plant,” Ligularia is an excellent choice for any shade garden—and not just because deer don’t enjoy eating it.
“One of the other nice things about this plant is its striking, purplish-red leaves,” says Daryl Beyers, author of The New Gardener’s Handbook. “There’s another variety that features yellow, daisy-looking flowers, and yet another called ‘The Rocket’ that boasts spikier blooms.”
Varieties to try: Desdemona, Britt-Marie Crawford, The Rocket
Related: 26 Best Shade Annuals for Bare Spots In Your Garden
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Hosta
Hosta is a go-to plant for shady areas. Primarily a foliage plant, the broad-leafed beauty can actually be very small or very large.
“Sum and Substance is a variety that gets huge—about five feet across,” says Beyers. “Meanwhile, Mouse Ears is really, really tiny.” But heads up: Avoid this plant if deer browse your yard frequently.
Varieties to try: Sum and Substance, Mouse Ears, Shadowland Empress Wu, Shadowland Autumn Frost
Learn More: How to Care for Hostas
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Viola
These spring bloomers tolerate some sun, but they prefer part to full shade, especially in the heat of summer. Some types are fragrant, too. If you like to cook, they’re also edible!
Varieties to try: Penny Purple Picotee, Johnny Jump-Up
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Astilbe
Lacey, toothed leaves and feathery plumes of pink, white, red, or purple flowers bloom in profusion in early to midsummer. A little morning sun helps them bloom better.
Varieties to try: Dark Side of the Moon, Milk and Honey
Related: 38 Deer-Resistant Plants Bambi Won’t Go Near
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Heuchera
Grown primarily for its colorful ruffled foliage, this perennial’s mounding habit shoots up small flower spikes in spring to mid-summer, which hummingbirds love!
Some varieties tolerate full sun, but many prefer shade.
Varieties to try: Dolce Appletini, Primo Pistachio
Related: 21 Flowers That Hummingbirds Adore
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Fern
Frothy-looking ferns are sturdier than they appear, popping up again after even the toughest winters. They prefer moist ground but are fairly drought-tolerant once established.
Varieties to try: Autumn, Japanese Painted
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Hellebore
These cold-tolerant plants produce unusual, long-lasting blooms in late winter or very early spring. Also known as Lenten rose because they bloom around the time of Lent, the foliage is evergreen.
Varieties to try: Wedding Party Confetti Cake, Wedding Party Childhood Sweetheart, Honeymoon Irish Luck
Related: How to Get the Most Blooms From Lenten Roses
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Foamflower
Lobed foliage with red or purple veins make this plant unique. Also known as tiarella, this plant boasts floaty little flowers that resemble foam on long stems in late spring to early summer.
Varieties to try: Cutting Edge, Jade Peacock
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Siberian Bugloss
This perennial with a funny name is grown for its striking foliage and graceful sprays of long-lasting, tiny blue flowers, which appear in spring. Also known as brunnera, it’s a hardy, low-maintenance plant.
Varieties to try: Jack Frost, Queen of Hearts
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Lungwart
This pretty ground cover blooms in early to late spring with small bell-shaped flowers and spotted foliage.
It looks best planted en masse. The un-glamorous name comes from its historic usage to treat lung ailments!
Varieties to try: Spot On, Pink-a-Blue
Related: 25 Best Ground Covers for Backyard Bald Spots
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Foxglove
Although this perennial blooms well in full sun, it tolerates part shade, especially in hot climates. The tall spiked flowers are a standard in cottage gardens and cutting gardens.
Varieties to try: Polkadot Princess, Foxy
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Trillium
The triangular shape and three leaves below the blooms of this striking native flower gives the plant its name. It’s hardy, showy, and tolerates wet soil.
Varieties to try: White, Red
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Caladium
Huge heart-shaped leaves in splashy colors offer plenty of drama. They’re tropical so if you live in a cool climate, put them in pots so they can be brought indoors and enjoyed as a houseplant over the winter.
Varieties to try: Bold ’N Beautiful, Blushing Bride
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Solomon’s Seal
This native perennial boasts a thick blanket of deep-green leaves that grow on upright red stems. Pendulous tuber-shaped flowers dangle from the stems in late spring and become bluish berries in the fall.
Varieties to try: Ruby Slippers, Fireworks
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