Perennials for Shade

At our latitude in summer, even the north side of the house gets sun. Rising in the far north-east in the morning, it catches the north side and again from the northwest as it sets. Plants on the east and west side get at least six hours of sun in the summer, sufficient for all plants except the true sun worshippers.

Deep shade is often moist since it does not receive the sun’s heat, but it can be dry under large trees that take all available moisture. There are very many plants for moist shade; dry shade is more difficult but the problem can be overcome by watering and mulching. A good perennial for dry shade is Barrenwort (Epimedium).

On the north side of the house, but open to the sky. Plants listed for light shade will do well.

The north side of the house, further obstructed by overhead branches. A shade-tolerant lawn grass will still grow and now we can plant Astilbe and Hosta.

Dappled shade; light or shadow move with the sun, like under a Locust or Birch. Lawn grass does well and so do most plants. Not shady enough for true shade lovers.

Permanent year-round shade from buildings and large evergreens and shade trees. Usually found in the older residential areas. Grass will not grow well, but ferns will. (In the plant list, those for deep shade are indicated “*”)

The large-leaved Hosta are luxurious in shade, some with glossy, dark green foliage, others are variegated green and white or green and gold. They all have attractive lily-like flowers mostly in shades of blue. One very nice variety is Royal Standard, with dark green leaves and fragrant white flowers.

Astilbe are the most beautiful plants for shade with their gorgeous plumes of red, pink or white flowers in June and very attractive spring foliage that remains green and handsome all summer – as long as the soil is moist. Hosta, Ferns and colourful Astilbes will make a very attractive show in combination and are long-lived perennials for a garden in the shade.

Ferns are easy-to-grow, maintenance-free plants that mostly need or prefer cool, moist shade. As ferns become popular, an increasing number of varieties are appearing at garden centres. Ostrich Fern, Lady Fern and Sensitive Fern have long been favourites.

Now available is Japanese Painted Fern, with blue-gray fronds, and colourful Autumn Fern with young coppery foliage. The Christmas Fern and Holly Ferns are evergreen.

• Anchusa
• Monarda (Bergamot)
• Bergenia*
• Balloon Flower
• Carpathian Harebell and other Campanula
• Meadowrue
• Foxglove*
• Trollius
• Feverfew
• Cimicifuga
• Arabis
• Purple Coneflower
• Filipendula
• Gold Star
• Tall Phlox
• Day Lily
• Bethelehem Sage*
• Siberian Iris
• Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)*
• Virginia Bluebells*

• Astilbe*
• Oriental Poppy
• Marsh Marigold
• Primrose
• Gold Moss
• Chives
• Trillium
• Planted Daisy
• Shasta Daisy
• Columbines
• Gas Plant
• Leopard’s Bane
• Garlic Chives
• Macleaya
• Christmas Rose
• Jacob’s Ladder
• Hosta*
• Cardinal Flower
• Gooseneck and Yellow Loosestrife
• Japanese Anemone

• Peony
• Brunnera
• Solomon’s Seal*
• Saxifrage*
• Nepeta
• Spiderwort*
• Chrysanthemum
• Viola
• Aconitum
• Bleeding Heart
• Goatsbeard
• Globe Thistle
• Geum
• Perennial Geraniums
• Obedient Plant
• Coral Bells
• Veronica
• Lupines
• Purple Loosestrife

• Ajuga
• Goutweed*
• Crown Vetch
• Cotoneaster
• Duchesnea*
• Epimedium*
• English Ivy

• Hall’s Honeysuckle
• Virginia Creeper
• Pachysandra*
• Creeping Potentilla
• Periwinkle
• Euonymus

• All ferns*
• Many ornamental grasses
• Sedge
• Lily-of-the-Valley*
• Wild Ginger
• Wintergreen*