Shade Plants That Will Brighten Your Garden
Plants That Grow in Full-Shade
To tell if your garden area is full shade, watch it throughout the day. If it receives no direct sunlight or only partial sunlight in the morning or evening hours, then it is a full-shade area and your plants should be chosen based on this. Here are some of the best shade plants for your garden.
Hellebore (Lenten Rose)
Hellebore, more commonly known as the Lenten Rose is a versatile and easy-to-grow perennial flowering plant that can grow to a height of 12-18 inches with a spread of up to 24 inches. It blooms in late winter to early spring – usually from February to April – and produces beautiful, bell-shaped flowers in colours like pink, purple, green and yellow.
It prefers to grow in partial to full shade and can be planted under trees or in gardens that don’t get much direct sunlight. The Lenten rose can also withstand cooler conditions, making it a great choice for Canadian gardens. It is toxic to both humans and pets if ingested however, so be sure to keep it out of easy reach.
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Heuchera, more commonly known as Coral Bells, is a beautiful, perennial plant that can grow to a height of 12-18 inches and a leaf spread of up to two feet. It blooms in the spring and thrives in full or partial shade. Coral bells produce a mound of leaves that are rounded and often a reddish colour, but they can also come in green, yellow and even silver.
Coral Bells are non-toxic to humans and pets, making them a great choice for your garden. They prefer well-drained soil and are often used as ground cover, an edging plant or even in mixed borders.
Impatiens
Impatiens are an annual plant with bright green foliage that comes in a range of bright and beautiful shades including pink, white, red and more. It thrives in moist, but well-drained soil and grows best in partial shade (though it can also tolerate full shade).
They are non-toxic to both humans and pets, making them a great choice for your garden.
Hosta
Hostas are a shade-loving, perennial plant with large, broad leaves that come in a variety of colours, including green, blue, yellow and more. They’re generally easy to grow and prefer moist, well-drained soil. Hostas can be toxic to pets, so plant them with care.
Lamium (Dead Nettle)
Lamium, commonly known as Dead Nettle, is a perennial, shade-loving plant that thrives in moist, well-drained soil. It grows to about 6-12 inches tall, with heart-shaped or oval leaves in shades of green and silver. It typically blooms in spring and summer and features tubular flowers that come in shades of pink, white and purple.
It is non-toxic to humans and pets, making it a great choice for your garden.
Brunnera (Jack Frost, Siberian Bugloss)
Brunnera, more commonly known as Siberian Bugloss, is a perennial plant that grows best in areas of full or partial shade. It features heart-shaped, silver-green leaves and produces clusters of small blue flowers that bloom in the spring. It is a relatively easy-to-grow plant making it a popular choice for beginner gardeners.
It is non-toxic to humans and pets as well, making it a safe choice for your garden.
Plants That Grow in Partial Shade
Partial shade in a garden refers to any area that receives limited amounts of direct sunlight throughout the day, generally less than 6 hours. Shaded areas provide your shade-loving plants with protection from the sun and allow them to flourish. These places include under trees, near buildings or by fences. Here are some great plants that thrive in partial shade.
Lily of the Valley
A beautiful and elegant perennial flower, Lily of the Valley produces long, green leaves and white, bell-shaped flowers that have a sweet fragrance. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil and should be grown in partial to full shade. It is toxic to humans and pets when ingested, so caution should be taken when planting in accessible areas.
Coleus
Coleus is an annual plant that comes in a variety of colours and patterns ranging from solid green to purple, pink, yellow and more. It thrives in well-drained, moist soil and is an easy-to-grow option for any garden. While it is technically a perennial plant, it doesn’t do as well in cooler conditions. It also contains essential oils that are toxic to pets.
Primrose
Primrose is a beautiful perennial shrub that thrives in cooler temperatures, meaning it blooms in both spring and fall. It can be found in various colours including pink, white, yellow and purple. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and thrives in partial shade. It is a relatively easy plant to maintain, making it a popular choice for gardeners. It can be toxic to pets however, so be sure to plant it in areas that are not easily accessible to them.
Astilbe
Astilbe is a perennial plant that has beautiful, plume-like flowers that bloom in shades of pink, white and red. It’s a shade-loving plant that can reach a height of 2-3 feet and can spread over time. It’s a versatile plant that can be used as a border and makes a great addition to any garden.
It is non-toxic to humans and pets and grows best in moist, well-drained soil.
Viola
The Viola is a partial-shade-loving annual flower with distinctive, heart-shaped leaves and small, delicate flowers. It can bloom in purple, blue, yellow and more, and are relatively easy to grow and maintain. Violas are generally a smaller plant, ranging from a few inches to a foot tall and they grow best in moist, well-drained soil.
They thrive in cooler weather and don’t do well in heat. They’re non-toxic to humans or pets.
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra Spectabilis)
Bleeding Heart is a perennial flower that thrives in partial shade, preferring cool, moist conditions. It blooms in late spring to early summer and produces unique, heart-shaped flowers in pink, white and even red. It typically grows to about 2-3 feet tall and spreads to between 1-3 feet wide.
It is a relatively easy-to-grow plant that is non-toxic to humans or pets, making it a great choice for gardens.
Ferns
Ferns are a partial shade-loving plant that are the perfect choice for a woodland garden. They thrive in moist, well-drained soil and produce delicate fronds that give them a distinct appearance. While certain types of ferns are non-toxic, like the Boston fern, some types can be toxic to humans or pets, so use caution when choosing your type of fern.
Tradescantia (Spiderwort)
Tradescantia, otherwise known as Spiderwort, can be either annual or perennial depending on the species and loves partial shade. It has strap-like leaves and small flowers that bloom in various colours from pink to blue and more. It’s an easy-to-grow plant that prefers moist, well-drained soil. Spiderwort can grow up to 2 feet high and produce leaves that can be up to 18 inches in length.
It is toxic to both humans and pets, so use caution when planting it in easy-to-reach areas.
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bee Balm is a perennial flower that thrives in partial shade. Its vibrant blooms come in pink, purple and red and attract bees, butterflies and even hummingbirds. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and can grow up to 3 feet tall and 2 feet wide, making it a great choice for filling out your garden bed.
It is non-toxic to humans and pets, so it’s a great option for any garden.
Lobelia
Lobelia, sometimes referred to as Cardinal Flower, is an annual flower that loves partial shade and can grow up to 3 feet in height. It has long, slender leaves and blue or red flowers that bloom in mid to late summer. It prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil. It’s an easy choice to add a pop of colour to your garden, though some species are toxic to humans and pets, so be careful when planting it in an easy-to-access space.
