Flowers That Grow in Shade: Photos and Names

[ГОЛОВНЕ ФОТО (прев’ю): тінистий квітник під деревами — хости, астильби, папороть]

A shady corner under trees or on the north side of the house needn’t stay bare: plenty of flowers grow in shade and partial shade, some even better than in sun. Here are 14 shade-loving garden plants with photos and names, perennials that return every year and annuals for bright accents, plus tips for planning a shade bed.

More on this topic: low-maintenance garden, flowers that bloom all summer, continuous-bloom flowerbed.

1. Hosta

The queen of the shade garden: big green, blue or white- or yellow-edged leaves, with lilac or white bells on tall stems in July–August. It grows even in deep shade; slugs are its main enemy.

[фото: хоста з різнокольоровим листям у тіні дерев]

2. Astilbe

Feathery plumes in pink, red, white and lilac in June–July; loves partial shade and moist soil, and scorches in drought.

[фото: астильба різних кольорів у півтіні]

3. Bleeding heart

Arching stems of pink heart-shaped flowers in May; the foliage may die back in summer heat, which is normal.

[фото: дицентра з квітками-сердечками в тіні]

4. Brunnera

Tiny sky-blue, forget-me-not-like flowers in April–May and handsome heart-shaped, sometimes silvery leaves.

[фото: бруннера зі сріблястим листям і блакитними квітками]

5. Lily of the valley

Fragrant white bells in May, spreading into a carpet under trees; all parts are poisonous.

[фото: конвалії під деревами в саду]

6. Periwinkle

Evergreen ground-cover periwinkle with blue spring flowers, a symbol of Ukraine and a perfect carpet in deep shade.

[фото: килим барвінку з блакитними квітками]

7. Lungwort

Blooms in early spring with pink and blue flowers on the same plant; silver-spotted leaves look good all summer.

[фото: медунка з рожевими й синіми квітками]

8. Columbine

Elegant spurred flowers in May–June; happy in partial shade and self-seeds freely.

[фото: аквілегія різних кольорів]

9. Solomon’s seal

Arching stems with white bells dangling beneath the leaves in May–June; tough enough for dense tree shade.

[фото: купена з білими дзвониками]

10. Heuchera

Foliage from lime to near-black with airy sprays of tiny summer flowers; most colourful in partial shade.

[фото: гейхери з листям різних кольорів]

11. Bergenia

Large leathery leaves and pink flowers in early spring; leaves turn red in autumn. Shade or partial shade.

[фото: бадан у цвітінні ранньої весни]

12. Primrose

Bright spring flowers in every colour for moist, partly shaded spots; see primroses indoors and out.

[фото: садові примули різних кольорів]

13. Hydrangea (partial shade)

Bigleaf and smooth hydrangeas bloom well in partial shade, away from midday sun; see bigleaf hydrangea.

[фото: гортензія в півтіні біля будинку]

14. Busy lizzie and begonia (annuals for shade)

The best shade annuals: busy lizzie and wax begonia flower from June until frost in beds and pots.

[фото: бальзамін і бегонія в тіністому кашпо]

Planning a shade bed

• Mix leaf shapes: big (hosta, bergenia), lacy (fern, astilbe) and coloured (heuchera); in shade, foliage matters more than flowers.
• Choose pale flowers and white-edged leaves to light up dark corners.
• Soil under trees is dry and poor; add compost and mulch with bark.
• In spring, there’s still light under trees, so plant early bulbs that finish before the canopy closes; see spring primroses.

Hydrangeas beyond the garden

Love hydrangeas? They’re just as lovely in a bouquet, by the stem or in an arrangement.

View full-size photo

See hydrangea bouquets and hydrangeas.

View full-size photo

FAQ

Which flowers grow in shade?

Hosta, astilbe, bleeding heart, brunnera, lily of the valley, periwinkle, lungwort, Solomon’s seal, heuchera, bergenia, primrose; annuals: busy lizzie and begonia.

Which perennials suit shade?

Hosta, astilbe, periwinkle, Solomon’s seal, bergenia and lungwort are hardy and easy.

What blooms all summer in shade?

Busy lizzie and wax begonia; in partial shade, hydrangea and astilbe.

Shade vs partial shade?

Partial shade is 3–5 hours of sun or dappled light; shade is under 2–3 hours of direct sun.

View full-size photo

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.