Consider yourself fortunate if you have areas of shade in which to garden. Wonderful choices of shade-tolerant perennials are available today. What to plant with those shade-lovers may be more difficult to determine. Keep in mind there are different types and degrees of shade. Browse through the suggestions below to find companions that will complement perennials already in your gardens.

* Watch for the animated hummingbird and butterfly with the plants that attract them. *
The deer icon indicates plants that deer are not usually attracted to.

The best time and method to propagate plants can be found on our image-intensive PROPAGATION page.

To help your plants grow their best, check out our FERTILIZATION page.

To create your own plant partnerships based on tried and true color theory, check out our GARDEN COLOR page.

To see if a particular plant is on this page press Ctrl+F, type in the name, then click the Find button.

AEGOPODIUM

Goutweed, Goat's Foot and Snow-On-The-Mountain are all common names for a lovely green and white foliaged perennial. If you don't believe it is invasive, just mention any of these names to gardeners and watch them shiver. We've all tried it and come to regret it. If you absolutely must give it a try, plant it in a pot or somewhere its rapid spread can be controlled.

Aegopodium podagraria 'Variegatum':  Goutweed, an invasive ground cover, 12-18" tall

where:  under trees, shrubs, in shaded corners
with:  Hemerocallis, Ivy, Pachysandra

AJUGA

Bugleweed, which grows in sun or part shade, can be used as a spreading groundcover. Flower spikes are showy in late spring. Select forms with attractive foliage, there are many such, for a prolonged effect.

Ajuga reptans:  Common Bugleweed, 4-10"x12-18"

for partnership ideas follow the link to Blue Perennials & Their Companions

with:  Crocus goulimyi (lavender-blue) for August bloom

with:  wildflowers, ferns

ANEMONE

The Windflower family has members that bloom in every season. Not all do well in shade, but those below will lighten up your shady corners.

Anemone:  spring-blooming types

where:  shade under shrubs and trees
with:  low-growing woodland wildflowers, bulbs & ferns

this wonderful plant can be seen in the border around this page and in the photos at the top of the page and just above
under:  shade trees;  sow sweet alyssum on top to hide dying foliage
among:  other colours, i.e. blue, white, pink of other Anemone blanda
with spring bulbs:  early Tulipa and miniature Narcissus
with:  Tulipa praestans 'Fusilier', Tulipa tarda, Muscari
with:  woodland wildflowers, bulbs & ferns
with:  smaller Hosta forms
with:  Crocus, Scilla
with:  Aquilegia, Dicentra eximia, Pulmonaria, Tiarella cordifolia
planted in drifts under:  shrubs
to follow:  Iris (dwarf beardless types from bulbs)

where :  rock gardens, shady bowers
with :  Trillium cuneatum (maroon flowers & mottled foliage)

where:  shaded deciduous woodsy areas
with :  early Narcissus
with :  delicate ferns or Hosta to disguise bare spots left during dormancy
under :  Vinca minor

with :  Helleborus

where:  bright woodlands, sunny wild gardens
with:  ferns, Phlox, Dicentra spectabilis, Campanula spp.
to co-bloom with:  Iris cristata & Mertensia virginica
over:  spring bulbs
combined with:  Dianthus deltoides (red) & Myosotis alpestris 'Victoria Dark Blue'

AQUILEGIA

No garden is complete without Columbines, in their variety of sizes and colours. If Columbine Leaf Miner spoils the appearance of the foliage, and it will, just cut the plant back and fresh, pest-free growth will appear and persist throughout the remainder of the gardening season.

Aquilegia canadensis:  Wild Columbine, Canadian Columbine, 24-30"x12"

for partnership ideas follow the link to Red Perennials & Their Companions

note:  the form in the image above is the lovely blue Aquilegia flabellata 'Blue Angel'
with :  Adiantum pedatum

seen in the photo above between Hosta fortunei 'Aureo-marginata' and Hosta 'Carnival'
where:  light to moderate shade, against shrubs, perfect in a Hosta garden
note:  will attract hummingbirds

ARISAEMA

If your shade is deep, try Jack-In-The-Pulpit, one of our earliest wildflowers. Flowers are followed by bright red berries.

Arisaema triphyllum:  Jack-In-The-Pulpit, 12-24"x12-18"

where:  among low wildflowers, groundcovers, under shrubs, flowering trees
with:  ferns, Dicentra eximia, Sanguinaria canadensis, Hosta

ARUM

Arum, another excellent woodland plant, is a spring bloomer whose white flowers appear in May, followed by orange berries in summer. It is not until fall however that its exotic, arrow-shaped foliage puts in an appearance.

Arum italicum 'Pictum':  Painted Arum, 12-18"x12"

with:  a winter-dormant fern to fill the gap during dormancy

ARUNCUS

Goatsbeard, a moisture-loving perennial, has a choice of tall or short forms, all with creamy-white flowers in summer. Foliage is often called "handsome".

Aruncus aethusifolius:  Korean Goatsbeard, Dwarf Goatsbeard

with:  Asarum europaeum

where:  lightly shaded woodlands, accent with flowering shrubs, rear of perennial borders
with:  groundcovers, wildflowers
behind:  Iris sibirica (esp. purple forms), Allium giganteum, ferns
with:  Campanula lactiflora (lavender)
behind:  Campanula latifolia (deep purple-violet)

where:  smaller gardens, pondside
behind:  Geranium x 'Johnson's Blue'

ASARUM

The Gingers, both native and European, are choice woodland plants, grown for their foliage. I much prefer the European form with its dark green, shiny leaves. The fact that it seeds itself around my dry shady areas is a wonderful bonus.

Asarum canadense:  Canada Wild Ginger, 6-12"

where:  as a groundcover, along pathways, in shaded rock gardens
with:  wildflowers, Hosta, ferns, Trillium, Tiarella
over miniature bulbs:   Crocus, Scilla

where:  alongside a path, groundcover in shade, shaded rock gardens or woodlands
with:  ferns (esp. lacy types), wildflowers, Phlox divaricata 'Laphamii', dwarf Narcissus, Aruncus aesthusifolius
with:  Polygonatum humile (rare & choice)

ASTER

Most of the asters we grow prefer full sun, but there are some that put on their best performance when given shady woodland conditions.

Aster:  shade-loving types

with foliage plants:   Hosta, Bergenia, Pulmonaria

with:  Molinia caerulea spp. arundinacea

ASTILBE

The shady conditions these plants prefer can be described as light shade to filtered sun. If you also give them the moisture they crave, they will amaze you with the wonderful show they provide during late spring and summer.

Astilbe:  Astilbe, False Spirea

beside:  pond or stream in evenly moist soil
with other moisture-lovers:   Hosta, ferns, Alchemilla mollis, Pulmonaria, Dicentra
with:  blue, purple or lilac shades, esp. Phlox paniculata
with:  Hosta (broad-leaved, untoothed, for foliage combination)
with:  fine ferns
offset in front of:  Hosta & ferns with Alchemilla mollis in front of all
with:  Aquilegia, Bergenia, Cimicifuga, Hemerocallis (esp. yellow), Japanese Iris
with:  Lilium, Lythrum, Phlox arendsii (white and pink), Tricyrtis hirta
interplanted with:  Tulipa spp. & other hardy spring bulbs (to hide their fading foliage)
combined with:  flowers (white and lilac) of Hosta
foliage as foil for:  perennials with large, undivided leaves
as contrast, offset in front of:  tall, upright-to-arching Ornamental Grasses
to soften:  strap-like leaves of Hemerocallis
echo with:  red emerging Astilbe foliage to complement the rose or white early flowers of Bergenia

with:  same combos as for Astilbe above

with:  Lythrum

with:  Astilbe (other colours), Allium 'Globemaster'

with:  Pulmonaria, Hosta, wildflowers, ferns, Iris, Polygonatum, Alchemilla mollis, Iris sibirica

with:  early-flowering Oriental Lilies

with:  Astilbe (white varieties)

where:  front of border position
combined with:  Asarum europaeum, Athyrium goeringianum 'Pictum', Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans',
Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum' & Convallaris majalis

uses:  borders, cutting, drying
arching plumes are a wonderful accent in a shady spot

ATHYRIUM

The Lady Ferns are both vigorous and attractive, forming clumps with almost feathery looking fronds. In part shade with evenly moist soil they can quickly provide a ground cover effect.

Athyrium filix-femina:  Lady Fern

where:  full sun or shade with medium moisture

Athyrium nipponicum 'Pictum':  Japanese Painted Fern, 12- 24"x12"

synonym:  Athyrium goeringianum 'Pictum'
where :  partial shade, moist soil
with :  early spring bulbs
combined with :  Convallaria majalis, Asarum europeum, Astilbe chinensis 'Pumila', Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans'
& Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum'
with :  Ajuga 'Catlin's Giant'

BEGONIA

The name Begonia normally calls to mind only annual forms. The Hardy Begonia, however, is hardy to Zone 6 (Zone 5 with protection) and has both lovely foliage and delicate pink flowers.

Begonia grandis:  Hardy Begonia, Zone 6, 1-2'x12"

in front of:  fine-textured, tall ferns
in front of:  dark-leaved plants i.e. Penstemon digitalis 'Husker Red'

where:  in rich, moist, well-drained soil in shade
with:  Hosta, ferns, woodland plants

BRUNNERA

Siberian Bugloss will thrive in light to full shade, where it delights with its forget-me-not type flowers and bold foliage, which can sometimes be variegated. Without sufficient moisture, these plants may go dormant so keep well watered in dry periods. Some variegated forms revert to solid green. There are those which do not revert so choose your variegated plants well.

Brunnera macrophylla:  Siberian Bugloss, 12-18"x18"

where:  groundcover under trees/shrubs
with:  bright yellow Narcissus, other spring bulbs
with:  Dicentra, Doronicum orientale
with shade-loving foliage plants:  Epimedium, Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo', Pulmonaria, Hosta
with:  ferns, wildflowers

with:  Dicentra eximia
with:  Tulipa (pink & white) beside Dicentra spectabilis (pink), all backed by Allium aflatunense 'Purple Sensation',
all behind an edging of Stachys byzantina 'Silver Carpet' & in front of Syringa vulgaris shrubs

this form has gradually produced more solid green leaves although a touch of variegation can still be seen in the lower
and upper left of the image above
the spring-blooming forget-me-not flowers continue to be a delight
many self-sown seedlings have appeared despite the dry shade location and it will be interesting to see whether
they have any variegation at all in subsequent summers

CIMICIFUGA

Bugbane, also known as Black Cohosh and Snakeroot, is a superb plant for the rear of a shady border. Its tall branching spikes of flowers tower over handsome foliage that will remain effective until the first frosts. Reclassification has changed the name of this genus to Actaea.

Cimicifuga spp.:  Bugbane, Black Cohosh, Snakeroot

now:  Actaea
shape contrast behind:  fanning Hosta

where:  rear-border position, in woodland gardens
with rounded plants:  Phlox paniculata, Geranium
with:  Hemerocallis, Phlox paniculata (esp. pink forms), medium-height ferns, Hemerocallis, Lythrum (rose),
Astilbe (crimson), wildflowers
behind:  Lobelia cardinalis, Filipendula rubra 'Venusta'
combined with:   hardy Lilium (white) & Phlox paniculata (pink)
behind:  Hosta (esp. broad-leaved forms), Hosta (blue-leaved forms)

with rounded plants for contrast:  Phlox, Geranium
with:  pink Phlox, medium height ferns, taller Lilium i.e. Trumpets and Orientals, blue-leaved Hosta, rose Lythrum,
Hemerocallis, crimson Astilbe, Filipendula rubra 'Venusta', Iris, Papaver
with:  Achillea, Ornamental Grasses, Aster 'Crimson Brocade' (tall, pink)
behind:  Lobelia cardinalis

CONVALLARIA

Just mention the name Lily-of-the-Valley and you can almost catch the scent of the nodding bell-shaped flowers of this quick-spreading groundcover plant.

Convallaria majalis:  Lily-of-the-Valley, 6-8"x12"

where:  edging in shrub border, ground cover under trees & shrubs
with:  early bulbs
with:  May-blooming blue Phlox i.e. Phlox borealis, Phlox x chatahoochee, Phlox divaricata, Phlox douglasii,
Phlox maculata, Phlox stolonifera, Phlox subulata

CORYDALIS

Corydalis, pronounced koh-RIDD-uh-liss, has tubular flowers that grow in clusters on upright stems over ferny foliage. Not all are yellow as evidenced by the first cultivar mentioned below.

Corydalis flexuosa 'Blue Panda':  sky-coloured Blue Corydalis, 8-12"x12"

where:  shaded rockery

where:  woodland edge, with cool, moisture-retentive, well-drained soil, in a rock wall or on a slope
in front of:  Polemonium caeruleum

DENNSTAEDTIA

This may be one form that you plant only after careful consideration for it is not intended for small gardens. It has spreading tendencies so would be best limited to use in large areas that need to be filled quickly.

Dennstaedtia punctilobula:  Hayscented Fern

where:  ground cover in sun or shade (may be invasive)
with:  naturalized Lilium or Narcissus

DICENTRA

Bleeding Heart is a wonderful plant for somewhat shaded conditions, although it will tolerate full sun with adequate moisture. And surprisingly, it is a good candidate for cutting.

Dicentra:  Bleeding Heart

where:  shade gardens with ample moisture
with:  Tricyrtis hirta, Aquilegia, Epimedium, Phlox divaricata, Tiarella cordifolia
interplanted with spring bulbs:  Tulipa spp., dwarf Narcissus forms
massed among:  ferns, Hosta, Mertensia virginica, Polygonatum odoratum

Dicentra eximia:  dwarf Fringed Bleeding Heart, 10-18"

where:  shaded border or woodland garden
in front of:  Pulmonaria and Hosta
with:  wildflowers, late season Tulipa, Narcissus, ferns
with:  Brunnera macrophylla (sometimes called Anchusa myosotidiflora)
over:  Endymion hispanicus (Scilla campanulata)

Dicentra eximia:  soft pinks

with:  Phlox stolonifera

Dicentra eximia 'Alba':  white Fringed Bleeding Heart, 12"x12"

where:  woodland gardens in bright shade, moist soil
with:  Athyrium niponicum (Japanese Painted Fern), Rhododendron 'Scintillation'

where:  partly shaded, moist sites, as an edger, in containers
note:   blooms best with some direct sun
with:  see Dicentra eximia 'Alba'

where:  in woodland setting
with:  early dwarf perennials, ferns, wildflowers, groundcovers
with:  spring bulbs, late season Tulipa, Primula, Hosta
with:  Coreopsis, Iris, Primula, Phlox divaricata, Aquilegia, hardy Geranium spp.
with:  Astilbe chinensis 'Pumila' (dwarf), Astilbe chinensis 'Sprite' (dwarf)
with bulbs:  Narcissus, Tulipa (esp. pink cultivars 'Esther', 'Rosy Wings' or 'Smiling Queen')
to follow:  spring Crocus
above:  Polemonium, Brunnera macrophylla
in front of:  Gypsophila paniculata (to cover space during mid-summer dormancy)
behind:  Veronica 'Crater Lake Blue'
beside:  Mertensia virginica, Phlox divaricata 'Alba', Paeonia, Dicentra spectabilis (white-flowered)

behind:  white or other-coloured Tulipa
with:  pink-flowered Dicentra spectabilis

DISPORUM

Fairy Bells or Mandarin are both common names for this rhizomatous perennial that prefers moist conditions and part to full shade.

Disporum sessile:  Japanese Fairy Bells, white, 12-24"

where:  partial to full shade
with:  Hosta, Astilbe, ferns
with wildflowers:  Phlox divaricata, Polemonium reptans, Tiarella cordifolia

DODECATHEON

Left to spread out in either sun or shade, the basal rosettes of attractive foliage of Shooting Star will be topped by flowers with reflexed petals behind front points that look like tiny darts. Try them - you will not be disappointed. They do go dormant after blooming so plant them among other leafy perennials that will spread into the space they vacate.

Dodecatheon meadia:  Shooting Star, rose-pink/yellow band, 12-24"x6"

where:  woodland gardens
in shade with:  dwarf Hosta, woodland Phlox, Primula, Polemonium reptans, Asarum, ferns, Aquilegia spp,
Epimedium spp. (in rock gardens)
generally with:  mounding plants i.e. Filipendula rubra, ferns
among:  leafy plants to hide bare spots during dormancy
with:  roses, Iris, Hemerocallis, Phlox, daisies
with:  Monarda, Campanula, Echinacea purpurea, Ornamental Grasses
with:  blue Delphinium, Perovskia atriplicifolia, Tanacetum, Valeriana officianalis
combined with:  Achillea, Geranium 'Ann Folkard', Ophiopogon planiscapus (black mondo grass),
yellow-flowered Salvia glutinosa, Heuchera americana 'Velvet Knight' & Miscanthus sinensis 'Tiger Cub' (dwarf zebra grass)

ENDYMION

Spring would not be complete without the late spring bloom of the Wood Hyacinths. They will bring colour to your shady borders with their nodding bell-shaped flowers, generally in blue, white or pink, growing on graceful stems above the strappy foliage. Also known as Scilla campanulata, formerly called Scilla hispanica, the correct and current name is Hyacinthoides hispanicus. In my garden this is the last of the spring bulbs to bloom.

Endymion hispanicus:  Spanish Bluebells, Spanish Squill

with:  ferns, late Narcissus, tall, late Tulipa (any colour), Iris (cream or yellow) intermediate

with:  ferns, Primula, Trillium

EPIMEDIUM

Barrenwort bears starry flowers in spring, but is valued for its semi-evergreen foliage which appears when bloom is finished. The attractive leaves turn bronze in cold weather thus providing a show in more than one season.

Epimedium:  Barrenwort - some forms "clump", some "spread"

where:  groundcover in (dry) shade or woodland gardens
with:  Astilbe, Hosta, Primula, Anemone, Helleborus
with:  wildflowers, bulbs, ferns
interplanted with spring bulbs:  Narcissus, Tulipa, Muscari, Hyacinthoides hispanica
(synonyms - Endymion hispanicus, Scilla campanulata)

with:  Hosta, wildflowers, ferns, spring bulbs, Helleborus, Primula

ERANTHIS

The Aconite bears masses of yellow blooms that can make a woodland area come alive for a brief time in early spring. Don't wait until tulip or daffodil planting time to get these bulbs into the ground however. They need to be planted in late August at the latest to perform their best.

Eranthis hyemalis:  Winter Aconite

where:  shade, woodland banks, as a carpeter in shrub borders
under:  Cornus
with:  Iris reticulata
combined with:  Scilla sibirica, Scilla tubergeniana, Chionodoxa luciliae & Crocus
complementary bloom time:  Galanthus nivalis, Scilla bifolia (the earliest-blooming squill)

ERYTHRONIUM

Another woodlander, the Dogtooth Violet, has nodding blooms in late spring to early summer. Foliage is mottled and provides an element of interest in dappled shade even when the plant is out of bloom.

Erythronium:  Trout Lily, Avalanche Lily

where:  part shade, in woodsy, constantly moist soil
under shrubs:  Philadelphus or Kolkwitzia
with:  spring bulbs, wildflowers, early perennials, ferns
among:  foliage plants (to hide gaps they leave in mid-summer) i.e. Hosta, Pulmonaria spp., Dicentra eximia,
Dicentra formosa

where:  light to moderately-deep shade
with:  Anemone blanda 'White Splendor'
among:  Hosta, ferns (to cover spaces during dormancy)

in front of:  Narcissus 'Las Vegas'

FOR MORE PERENNIALS THAT PREFER SHADY SPOTS IN YOUR GARDEN, FOLLOW THE LINKS BELOW.

• Ferns to Polemonium
• Polygonatum to Vinca

All of our own Gardens By The Bay pages can be accessed by clicking on the links below.

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CORNER GARDEN CONSTRUCTION  |  CORNER GARDEN PLANTING  |  LONG GARDEN

EAST GARDEN  |  HOSTA GARDEN  |  NORTH GARDEN  |  WINTER GARDENS

PLANT PARTNERSHIPS

BLUE PERENNIALS    Aconitum - Geranium  |  Iris - Vinca

BULBS    Allium - Hyacinthus  |  Narcissus only  |  Tulipa only  |  Minor Bulbs

BUTTERFLY MAGNETS    Anaphalis - Hemerocallis  |  Liatris - Veronicastrum
DAYLILIES      Spider & Unusual Form

EDGERS    Arabis - Iris  |  Nepeta - Veronica

FOLIAGE PERENNIALS     Alchemilla - Tanacetum

HOSTA    Hosta - all

HUMMINGBIRD-FRIENDLY PERENNIALS    Alcea - Salvia

ORANGE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Tulipa

ORNAMENTAL GRASSES    Acorus - Imperata |  Miscanthus - Spodiopogon

PINK PERENNIALS    Achillea - Lilium  |  Lychnis - Veronica

PURPLE PERENNIALS    Aconitum - Liatris  |  Polemonium - Veronica

RED PERENNIALS    Achillea - Veronica

SHADE PERENNIALS    Aegopodium - Erythronium  |  Ferns - Polemonium  |  Polygonatum - Vinca

SILVER FOLIAGE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Cerastium    |    Cornus - Limonium    |    Lunaria - Veronica

SIMPLY SPECIAL PERENNIALS    Acanthus - Saxifraga

WHITE PERENNIALS    Achillea - Iris  |  Kalimeris - Yucca

YELLOW PERENNIALS    Achillea - Hypericum  |  Inula - Verbascum

VARIEGATED-FOLIAGE PERENNIALS    Acorus - Erythronium  |  Hakonechloa - Lysimachia  |  Miscanthus - Yucca

PLANT PROFILES

Dianthus 'Tiny Rubies'  |  Geranium  |  Geum coccineum  |  Kerria japonica  |  Knautia macedonica

Paeonia tenuifolia  |  Papaver somniferum  |  Rudbeckia  |  Salvia 'East Friesland'

Trollius  |  Veronica 'Sunny Border Blue'

PROPAGATION

DIVISION - SPRING ONLY  |   DIVISION - FALL ONLY  |   DIVISION - SPRING OR FALL  |   DO NOT DIVIDE

FERTILIZATION

BULBS  |   ORNAMENTAL GRASSES  |   PERENNIALS  |   SHRUBS  |   VINES

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