If your garden is located in an area receiving partial to full shade, don’t fret — there are still plenty of beautiful plants that will thrive in the shady area!
The real trick is knowing what plants are the right plants for the spot.
What Is Full Shade?
First thing’s first — when is a garden considered to be in full shade?
For purposes of gardening, full shade does not mean that the plants are going without sunlight. Rather, a location is in full shade if the area receives less than three hours of direct sun each day; additionally, the area should receive filtered sun the rest of the day.
Luckily, there are plenty of plants that will thrive in these conditions. Keep reading to find out what perennials and annuals should be considered for your full-shade garden.
Perennials for Partial to Full-Shade Gardens
Perennials are great for adding more color and dramatic displays to your garden. A few perennials to consider planting when your garden is in full to partial shade include:
- Monkshood: This plant is named for the shape of the deep purple-blue blooms that appear on top of the 5–6-foot stalks. These plants will provide some late-season color to the garden, as they are known to last up to 2 months into the late summer. Plus, monkshood has good resistance to pests and diseases. Just be sure to sake the plants when needed to prevent them from toppling over.
- Bleeding Heart: This spring bloomer has white and pink flowers that will create delicate heart-shaped drops. The plants will grow between 2-3 feet tall and should be kept in rich, moist soil.
- Barrenwort: This plant produces vivid flowers in a variety of colors including red, orange, pink, yellow, white, blue, and purple. The flowers typically arrive in the early spring and will bring more variety to your garden landscape.
Annuals for Shaded Gardens
Annual plants can help you brighten up any dim areas of the garden as they contribute their colorful leaves throughout the growing seasons. Plus, these plants tend to thrive in areas many others will not.
A few annual plants to consider for a shady garden include:
- Lobelia: These flowers are sure to add some rich, true blues to any garden. The plants will bloom in the spring and fall, becoming almost completely covered in beautiful blue flowers. Additionally, these plants are great for attracting hummingbirds to your garden.
- Torenia: Also known as the “wishbone flower,” torenias are known for their beautiful trumpet-shaped blooms. These flowers will bloom in a range of shades, from blues and purple colors to pinks and yellows. Additionally, these plants are very versatile; they can be planted upright or as trailing plants.
- Impatiens: This plant is particularly popular for shady gardens. They will bloom constantly from spring to fall and are known to offer flowers in almost any color. Plus, they are super simple to grow, making them great for beginner gardeners.
- Browallia: These beautiful star-shaped flowers will add rich blues, lavender, or white to gardens. Coupled with the emerald-green foliage, this fast-growing plant is a perfect addition to your shaded garden.
Many individuals think that if their garden areas are located in a shady space, they won’t be able to garden. Luckily, this notion is not true.
There are plants for every kind of garden, so be sure to research away and find the most compatible plants for your garden’s location!
