If you think shade in your garden means your flowers and plants are doomed then think again. In fact many flowers thrive in lower light.
There are lots of options when it comes to flowers that will do more than simply survive but thrive under shade. So if you’ve struggled to grow anything in the darker area of your yard or garden then we’ve got you covered. These 15 beautiful flowers will help you to add some light and beauty to the shadiest spaces.
1. Astilbe
Astilbe loves the shade and is known for having feathery flowers that come in shades of pink, red, white and lavender. If you have a shady spot then astilbe will be great for adding some color to it.
They do need a bit of moisture to keep them cool though. So make sure their soil stays watered thoroughly and you’ll have some beautiful astilbe to liven up your garden.
Growing Conditions: Prefers moist, rich, well drained soil. They thrive in environments that has organic material.
Watering Needs: Keep the soil consistently moist. During hot, dry spells increase how often you water them.
Location Tips: Best in light to moderate shade. If the area is too dark then they may give you fewer flowers.
Don’t plant them with these plants though or they’ll struggle to grow.
2. Bleeding Heart
The Bleeding Heart plant works well in the shade of any garden. It has heart shaped plants (as the name suggest) that come in pink and white. Bleeding hearts like cool, sheltered spots in places like under trees or next to north facing walls.
In the spring their branches grow many wonderful heart flowers that are absolutely gorgeous.
Growing Conditions: Loves cool, moist, well drained soil that has organic matter added to it.
Watering Needs: Regular watering is essential, especially in dry conditions to keep the soil moist.
Location Tips: Ideal under tree canopies or along north facing walls. These spots stay cool and shaded.
3. Hostas
Hostas are a great choice if you want foliage rather than flowers in shade gardens. They look fantastic and have green and blue leaves that come in variegated patterns.
They’re amazingly versatile and don’t need any real maintenance. This makes them perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners.
Growing Conditions: Prefers fertile, humus rich soil.Doesnt mind a range of soil types as long as they drain well.
Watering Needs: Water deeply and let the soil dry slightly between watering sessions.
Location Tips: Thrives in full to partial shade. Variegated varieties may need more light to get the colors of the leaves to really pop.
Try to avoid planting hostas with specific plants as they will clash.
4. Hellebore
Often called the Christmas or Lenten rose, Hellebores are one of the few plants that bloom in the colder months. They come in a wide range of different colors with some even having speckled patterns. If your garden is usually dormant in the winter then Hellebores will add a wonderful amount of colour.
Growing Conditions: Performs best in neutral to alkaline soil that is well drained.
Watering Needs: Once they’re established they can stand drought well but they do benefit from some occasional watering during longer term dry spells.
Location Tips: Shaded areas, especially under large trees or shrubs, are the perfect spot as they protect them from harsh winter winds.
5. Hydrangea
Hydrangeas have large and showy flowers that everyone loves. There are many different varieties, from mopheads to lacecaps, and they’re all lookers.
They love both the morning sun and afternoon shade and try to keep the soil moist and rich because it will make their colors pop when summer comes around.
Growing Conditions: Requires rich, porous, slightly acidic soil.
Watering Needs: Needs regular watering and lots of it. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Location Tips: Plant in a spot with morning sunlight and afternoon shade to prevent them getting burnt in the summer heat.
Hydrangeas don’t grow well with everything though. So it’s important to know what NOT to plant them with, which you can find in this guide.
6. Foxglove
Foxgloves are a biennial and will give you both color and height to your shaded garden. Bees love their large and towering spikes but be warned that they are toxic if eaten. So keep them away from children or any pets.
Growing Conditions: Needs well drained soil and can tolerate slight acidity.
Watering Needs: They must have consistent moisture, especially during the peak blooming season. Avoid overwatering as it can result in root rot.
Location Tips: Perfect for planting in the background of shady borders. Partial shade can help prevent their stalks from leaning too much towards the light.
Although easy to grow there are some plants you shoipd avoid planting with foxglove. They can compete for resources or just not get along, affecting their growth.
7. Ferns
A shade garden needs some ferns! They give you lots of greenery and some different texture.
They are non flowering plants that rather than bright flowers they give you lots of greenery. They love damp, shady spots which makes them great at filling difficult areas where others plants would struggle.
Growing Conditions: Best in moist, rich organic soil.
Watering Needs: Keep consistently damp, especially if you’re in a dry area. Ferns prefer a humid environment.
Location Tips: Thrive in deep to partial shade. Avoid direct sunlight as they can dry out.
8. Primrose
Primroses are one of the first flowers to bloom in the spring. At that time they bring some cheerful color when most of the garden is still waking up. They come in almost every color of the rainbow and prefer the moist, well drained soil that you get in shady areas.
Growing Conditions: Prefers cool temperatures and rich, well drained soil.
Watering Needs: Keep the soil consistently moist but it needs to have good drainage to prevent sogginess.
Location Tips: Perfect for naturalizing in woodland settings. Alternatively grow them under tree canopies where the light is filtered.
9. Columbine
Columbine flowers have a unique look that makes them seem like something that’s come out of a fairy tale. They’re perfect for shade gardens and woodland settings, attracting hummingbirds and adding a some color in late spring and early summer.
Growing Conditions: Requires fertile, well-drained soil; tolerates a wide pH range.
Watering Needs: Regular watering is necessary, particularly in dry weather, to keep the soil evenly moist.
Location Tips: Performs well in medium shade or dappled sunlight; too much shade can reduce flowering.
Columbine works well with lots of other plants but there are some it doesn’t get along with. Avoid those so you don’t end up with them struggling.
10. Camellia
Camellias have dark green leaves and flowers that are similar to roses. They flower from winter through to spring depending on the variety and love acidic, well drained soil. If you want to add some elegance to a shady spot they are a great option.
Growing Conditions: Acidic, well drained soil is very important; add organic matter to improve the nutrients in the soil.
Watering Needs: Regular, deep watering is recommended, especially during dry spells.
Location Tips: Shelter them from any harsh sun and wind. Morning shade with filtered afternoon light is ideal.
Don’t plant your camellia with these plants or you may find it clashing.
11. Forget Me Not
They might be small but you get an awful of beautiful delicate flowers from Forget Me Nots. Plant them anywhere shaded and they will light it up with their color.
They also self seed which means they come back year after year without any effort on your part.
Growing Conditions: Thrives in moist, well drained soil rich in organic matter.
Watering Needs: Water regularly so they stay moist, especially when they are blooming.
Location Tips: Flourishes in partial shade; too much sunlight will make them wilt.
12. Toad Lily
Toad Lilies are one of the more exotic choices for a shade garden. Their flowers are speckled and similar to orchids – so very striking.
They bloom in the late summer through to fall which is when many other flowers and plants are starting to fade. So they can bring some interest and color when it would usually be disappearing.
Growing Conditions: Prefers rich, acidic to neutral soil that is well drained and fertile.
Watering Needs: Consistent moisture is an absolute must. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely.
Location Tips: Best in partial to full shade. So great for adding some interest to any small areas you have that get a lot of shadow.
13. Pulmonaria
Known more commonly as Lungwort, Pulmonaria has spotted or variegated leaves with blue, pink or white flowers that bloom in the early spring time. They’re fantastic for ground cover and do well under trees or in moist, shady borders.
Growing Conditions: Enjoys fertile, humus rich, well drained soil.
Watering Needs: Keep the soil moist, especially during hot, dry spells.
Location Tips: Deep shade to partial sunlight works well and they are great for underplanting in wooded areas.
14. Japanese Anemone
Japanese Anemones flower in the fall and bring life back into the garden just as other flowers start to fade away. They have delicate petals and tall stems that look wonderful when they’re swaying in the breeze.
Growing Conditions: Needs light, loamy and well drained soil. They can tolerate a bit of clay too.
Watering Needs: Moderate watering, more frequent during dry spells.
Location Tips: Partial shade is perfect as it protects them from wind and too much direct sunlight which can stress the plant.
15. Viola
Last but not least – Violas. They are a hardy group that includes pansies and violets and are great for borders, containers or filling in any gaps. They have a lovely scent and happy faces in various colors that bloom during the cooler months.
Growing Conditions: Favors well drained, moderately fertile soil.
Watering Needs: Regular watering to keep the soil moist, particularly during dry spring or autumn weather.
Location Tips: Thrives in partial shade. Try them as edging, in containers or filling spaces between shrubs.
Final Thoughts
If you want a garden that is full of flowers that do well in shade then you have to make the right choices. So plants that don’t need too much light and in fact thrive in fuller conditions.
If you get your picks right then you can transform any shaded areas into something beautiful and interesting.
So don’t shy away from the shade – embrace it.
