Do you have a shady garden? Don't worry: there are countless outdoor shade plants that thrive in less sunny spots. Whether you're looking for flowering shade plants, perennials, or hardy varieties, the selection is wider than you think!
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Male fern ( Dryopteris filix-mas ) with columbine. Photo: Sarah Cuttle
Not every shady spot is the same. When choosing shade plants, it's important to consider three factors:
Light shade means light shade for much of the day.
Partial shade means that plants receive sun for part of the day.
Filtered shade is dappled shade that occurs when the sun shines through a tree canopy.
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Dry shade: This is often found under trees or against walls, where rain does not penetrate well.
Damp shade: This can be an issue in borders or woodland gardens where water stagnates for longer periods of time.
Too many dark green plants can quickly make a space feel gloomy. Therefore, choose light, soft colors like white, cream, pale yellow, lilac, and soft pink, as they stand out best. Variegated leaves also add extra light and vibrancy.
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Geranium 'Patricia'. Photo: Sarah Cuttle
If you're looking for good shade plants, start here. We're introducing 20 shade-loving plants that will brighten up any shady spot in your garden—all year round.
Even in the coldest months, you can enjoy flowers in the shade. These hardy shade plants provide color and life when the rest of the garden is still dormant.
Photo: Sarah Cuttle
The snowdrop ( Galanthus nivalis ) blooms in late winter, often right through frozen ground, and continues to bloom for weeks until the daffodils appear, and sometimes even longer. It grows well in full shade on heavy, moist soil.
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Photo: Jason Ingram
Winter aconites ( Eranthis hyemalis ) form clumps and produce masses of bright yellow flowers in late January and February. They thrive in moist shade and are ideal for shady borders or woodland gardens.
Helleborus orientalis 'Pink Shades'. Photo: Jason Ingram
If you want to provide your garden with flowers in winter too, then helleborus ( Helleborus ) is the perfect choice. There are many varieties available, some of which – such as the Christmas rose ( Helleborus niger ) – sometimes bloom as early as December or January. Other popular Helleborus varieties include the Lenten rose ( Helleborus orientalis ) and various hybrids ( Helleborus x hybridus ). Helleborus thrives in dry shade and bears large saucer-shaped flowers (sometimes double) in a variety of colors.
Photo: Jason Ingram
The hardy cyclamen, Cyclamen coum , has dark green leaves with silvery veins and delicate flowers in shades of white, pink, or red. You can admire them from late winter to early spring. An excellent plant for partial shade, under shrubs and trees, or for naturalizing in grass.
Dry shade can be a difficult location, for example, under trees or next to walls. However, these plants thrive there.
Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae with Geranium phaeum 'Raven'. Photo: Jason Ingram
There are many species of spurge , but Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae is one of the most beautiful. From late spring onwards, it bears bright green flowers (which attract many hoverflies) above dark green leaves. This plant thrives in dry shade, for example, under trees and along forest edges. Keep it somewhat contained, as it can spread considerably if it thrives.
Iris foetidissima seeds. Photo: Gardeners' World
The name might not sound very appealing, but rest assured: the stinking iris doesn't smell. Only when you crush the leaves does it release a mildly unpleasant odor. Left undisturbed, however, it's an excellent plant for full shade, for example, under trees. Iris foetidissima has beautiful, evergreen foliage and pale purple-green flowers. But the real show comes in autumn, when the large seed pods burst open, revealing rows of orange-red seeds that persist well into winter.
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Photo: Jason Ingram
Heucheras, or azure bells, form attractive clumps that thrive in light shade. Numerous cultivars are available in a variety of leaf shapes and colors—from lime green to dark purple or almost black. Some varieties tolerate dry soil well, while others prefer a moister location.
Blackbirds love ivy berries. Photo: Pixabay
Perhaps the easiest plant for shade is ivy ( Hedera helix ) . This shade-loving climber can be used to cover walls or trained along low walls or pergola poles. Because ivy is an evergreen for shade , it provides a green backdrop year-round. Alternatively, you could also consider Virginia creeper . Keep in mind that both species can be very vigorous.
Moist, shady spots are ideal for lush, woodland-like plantings. These species thrive in cool, moist soil and bring a wealth of color to the area.
Photo: Jason Ingram
Different species of lungwort ( Pulmonaria ) have diverse leaf patterns, which are most beautiful in spring when they are fresh and lush after flowering. Lungwort is an excellent native groundcover for shady borders. The funnel-shaped flowers appear in blue, pink, purple, red, and white. During flowering, they are frequently visited by enthusiastic bumblebees.
Photo: Sarah Cuttle
If you have clay soil, the Dutch knot ( Astrantia major ) is a wonderful addition. These perennials thrive in the shade under trees or in a moist border. They can also grow in drier soil, but be sure to mulch well in the fall to retain moisture.
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Plume Spirea ( Astilbe ) Photo: Pixabay
Astilbe , or plume spirea, bears striking plumes above deeply incised, delicate leaves. This plant loves a shady corner, where its beautiful flower clusters provide height and color. If this shade plant receives more sun, you'll need to water it more to prevent it from withering.
Hosta and a broken heart. Photo: Sarah Cuttle.
It's clear why Lamprocapnos spectabilis is commonly called "broken heart." This shade plant bears pinkish-red, heart-shaped flowers with white tips that hang from gracefully arching stems. The plant blooms from late spring to early summer. It prefers light, moist shade and looks beautiful in clumps among shrubs. There is also a variety with completely white flowers ('Alba').
Marigold ( Caltha palustris )
Japanese anemone ( Anemone hupehensis )
Tall plants add depth and structure to a shade border. These varieties add height and create a natural layering effect.
Campanula lactiflora . Photo: Jason Ingram
There are many varieties of bellflowers, most of which thrive in partial shade. Campanula lactiflora bears bell-shaped, purple flowers above heart-shaped green leaves from summer to autumn. It's a perfect shade plant for the back of a border and works well in a cottage or traditional garden. Bellflowers attract many bees and other pollinators.
Foxglove ( Digitalis purpurea ). Photo: Jason Ingram.
Our native foxglove ( Digitalis purpurea ) is a woodland plant that thrives in filtered or partial shade. There are numerous varieties that flower in a variety of colors and shapes. Most thrive in partial shade, although some need a little more sun.
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Polygonatum × hybridum . Photo: Jason Ingram
This cottage garden classic boasts gracefully arching stems, oval leaves, and white, bell-shaped flowers reminiscent of snowdrops in late spring. Solomon's Seal ( Polygonatum x hybridum ) thrives in partial shade and is ideal for a woodland garden, perhaps combined with corydalis and the broken heart.
Photo: NasserHalaweh (CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)
The giant lily ( Cardiocrinum giganteum ) is a real eye-catcher in the shade garden. This imposing plant can grow up to three meters tall and bears large, white, lily-like flowers with a light fragrance in summer. It thrives in moist but well-drained soil and grows best in partial shade, for example, among rhododendrons .
Monkshood ( Aconitum napellus )
Autumn anemone ( Anemone × hybrida )
Shadewort ( Pachysandra terminalis )
Farmer's sage ( Salvia glutinosa )
Rodgersia ( Rodgersia aesculifolia )
Some shade plants are real eye-catchers thanks to their flowers, foliage, or unique shapes. These varieties add character and variety to the garden.
Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata 'Nora Barlow'. Photo: Torie Chugg
Columbine ( Aquilegia ) is a charming cottage garden plant with flowers that hang like caps from the stems. It's ideal for partial shade. There are many varieties and species of columbine available in a wide range of colors. Moreover, columbine self-seeds , so it will return year after year.
Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost'. Photo: Jason Ingram
Brunnera macrophylla , or Caucasian forget-me-not, is an ideal plant for a shady spot. Above its heart-shaped, green leaves, forget-me-not-like flowers bloom on long stems. Perfect along paths and in combination with other shade plants. Some varieties with more silvery leaves (such as 'Jack Frost' or 'Sea Heart') can tolerate a bit more sun.
There are many varieties of perennial geraniums , many of which thrive in shade. The dark stork's bill ( Geranium phaeum ) is particularly shade-tolerant and quickly forms a dense carpet of deeply incised leaves with purple spots around the center. Above these, drooping purple flowers with yellow centers appear from late spring to early summer.
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Photo: Gardeners' World/Ray Cox
It resembles a poppy, but the poppy ( Meconopsis ) actually belongs in a different family. The spectacular, sky-blue, saucer-shaped flowers with yellow centers bloom from late spring to early summer. This notorious diva, however, has very specific requirements for its environment: high humidity, no hot summers, not too much wind, and a lime-poor (coniferous) soil. This makes it a challenge even for experienced gardeners. But if you can get it to flower in our climate, the poppy is the icing on the cake.
