Shade might seem like a liability when you want to grow flowers, but a garden that doesn't get a lot of sun can still be full of blossoms and color. Any of the following shade-loving varieties can be combined for a lush border; they can also planted individually to fill in a blank spot or in clusters to create a big splash.
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis) Perennial
– Tolerates very deep shade
– Provides great spring color towards the end of bulb season (after the narcissus and tulips fade)
– Creates height and volume (ideal for middle to back of border)
– Goes dormant once temperatures rise
Autumn Fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) Perennial
– Very reliable and semi-evergreen
– Presents a beautiful copper color on new growth
– Introduces delicate texture in a garden without being fragile
Dwarf False Spirea "Pumila" (Astilbe var. pumila) Perennial
– Offers easy-to-grow early-summer color
– Has purple flowers that make a nice alternative to the traditional red/pink/white varieties
– Works as a taller groundcover
Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) Perennial
– Tolerates deep shade
– Great late-summer bloomer
– Provides drama from height as opposed to color (easily grows 4' to 6' tall)
Skip Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus "Schipkaensis") Evergreen shrub
– Requires little maintenance
– Grow quickly
– Has smooth, dark green foliage
– Makes a great screen, but needs protection from wind
New Jersey Tea Bush (Ceanothus americanus) Flowering, deciduous shrub
– Prefers part shade
– Works well in smaller spaces or towards the front-middle of a border
– Has fragrant flowers in late spring and early summer
– Attracts pollinators
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) Flowering, deciduous tree
– A woodland native that can take considerable shade or sun
– Produces fuschia flowers in early spring, then grows large, heart-shaped leaves
– Provides vibrant gold fall color
– Works well in small spaces (usually tops out between 15"–20")
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