Shade Garden Success (7 Plants That Thrive)
With the right knowledge and plant selection, you can build a lush and vibrant space – even in the shade. Not every plant needs full sun to thrive. And, there’s no reason for the shady parts of your yard to be dull and lacking beautiful plants.
Shade can be created by structures like houses and fences, or by dense trees and branches. We’re currently planning a shade garden on the North side of our house, so we’ve done a lot of research on choosing the best plants that will thrive there.
The first thing to understand are the different shade conditions.
- Full sun is considered 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily (perfect for sun-loving plants)
- Part shade is anything that gets some direct sun during the day, but less than 6 hours
- Check your garden at different times to accurately map shade patterns throughout the day
- Most plants are more flexible than you think! Many sun-loving plants will grow in part shade, and many shade-loving plants will grow in full sun if given enough water. Of course, for the best success, position plants in areas where they will thrive.
After you understand the how much sunlight each area of your yard receives, you can begin to choose your plants. These are some great shade-loving plants that will grow even without full-sun:
1. Hostas
Zones 3-9
We wouldn’t be able to talk about shade gardening without any mention of hostas. Quintessential to the home shade garden, these beautiful plants used to be classified in the lily family, but they’re now part of the Asparagaceae family (yes, the shoots are edible!). There are so many different varieties of hosta available to plant (thousands). We’re fortunate to live close to a hosta-only nursery where we were able to pick up some unique and rare varieties.
Even though they are susceptible to slugs and snails, hostas are generally very easy to care for and will thrive will very little sun. You could create a diverse, lush shade garden with hostas alone! Consider mixing up different varieties and colors to add interest to your space.
Learn more about planting hostas here
2. Hakone Grass (Japanese Forest Grass)
Zones 5-9
Grasses pair very well with hostas and are an elegant way to add movement and color to your shade garden. There are many different varieties of Hakone grass available to plant, with ‘Auerola’ being one of the more popular due to its bright golden foliage.
Once established, these grasses are easy to care for and create a cascading waterfall effect, even in partial shade. We have a few planted around our house along our front walkway path. You can also plant them in containers or over walls, where their arching growth pattern will be fully appreciated. They do spread by underground rhizome, but they’re very slow growing and not considered invasive.
These grasses should be spaced about 12 inches apart, and you can expect them to reach a height of about 15 inches when fully grown.
3. Astilbe
Zones 4-9
If you’re looking to add colorful vertical interest to your shade garden, look no further than astilbe. These reliable and beautiful perennials have feathery plume flowers and come in many different colors. Astilbe loves moist soil and doesn’t tolerate drought very well. So, we have some planted behind our house where they enjoy the shade and extra moisture from the gutter run-off.
The fern-like foliage adds texture to the garden while the flowers add a pop of color that can be difficult to find with other shade plants. Depending on the variety, astilbe can grow 1-3 feet tall. They also grow really well in consistently damp areas where other plants may struggle. Depending on the variety you choose, astilbe will bloom at different times. So, if you choose your selections carefully, you can have extended blooms during the summer when grouped together!
Pair astilbe with lower growing perennials like hostas and grasses.
4. Ferns
Zones 4-8
With their elegant, upright growth, ferns add beautiful texture and greenery to any shady area. There are so many varieties and colors to choose from, so you can get really creative when designing your space. They’re very slow growing, so you may want to purchase plants that are already mature to get a head start on your garden.
Ferns thrive in shady conditions and require a lot of moisture/frequent watering to survive. If you’re planting ferns underneath any trees, they may require additional watering as the trees roots will be competing for moisture.
We suggest browsing different varieties and choosing ones you like. Consider planting them as borders or with other plants like hostas and/or foamflower.
5. Hellebore (Lenten Rose)
Zones 4-9
Also called Lenten roses or Christmas roses, hellebores are a unique addition to your shade garden. Their cup-shaped flowers open up in late winter and early spring when other plants are dormant. The foliage is slightly leathery and attractive, with new growth emerging each spring.
These plants are long-lived, deer-resistant and easy to care for once established. In particular, I like the Wedding Party® series which has a variety of double-flowered selections in various colors. We have one planted in our backyard and it does really well in the shade where the soil is consistently moist.
After establishing, these plants will live for many years and don’t like being disturbed. So, choose your positioning wisely as they’ll be seated for the long term!
6. Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Zones 4-9
Heuchera, also known as Coral Bells are native to North America and offer vibrant color to the shade garden. They’re typically found in woodland areas growing in crevices or well-drained slopes and hills. Some species are even adapted to grow on the salty shorelines. Typically, they’ll only grow to be 8-12 inches tall, making them perfect for border plantings.
These plants offer attractive mounds of foliage with beautiful flowers that are favored by butterflies and bees. They thrive in shady areas where their colorful leaves are shielded from the scorching afternoon sun. While resistant to deer and most pests, the Asiatic beetles had a field day with our plants last season.
7. Bleeding Heart
Zones 3-9
Lamprocapnos spectabilis, commonly known as the bleeding heart presents itself true to its name. The distinctive heart-shaped flowers hang from arching stems in the early spring, adding charm and romance to the shade garden.
The foliage is fern-like and complements the flowers, making this perennial an old-fashioned favorite. In the summer heat, it often goes dormant, so plant companions nearby to fill in during the hottest months. Or, consider planting annuals to fill in bare spots during the summer. For the best blooms, plant in an area with morning sun and afternoon shade and be sure to water consistently.
Of note, these can look like a weed when they’re first emerging from the ground. Be sure to mark where you plant them! Calvin took the weed wacker to mine on year one (but it came back just as strong the next season).
Contrary to popular belief, shade gardens can be vibrant, colorful spaces when you understand how shade affects plants and select appropriate varieties. With the right knowledge, you can transform those shady spots into some of the most beautiful parts of your yard.
The key is to work with your conditions rather than against them. Choose plants that naturally thrive in the environment you have, provide enough water, and maintain a good layer of mulch to conserve moisture and improve the soil over time.
