Designing a garden in full shade can be challenging, as many plants thrive in sunlight. However, there are several beautiful plants that can thrive and add charm to shaded areas. In this article we will discuss 20 best full shade plants which beautify garden. Let’s begin…
1.Hosta (Hosta spp.): Known for their striking foliage, hostas are popular shade plants. They come in a variety of sizes, leaf shapes, and colors, ranging from deep greens to variegated patterns.
2.Astilbe (Astilbe spp.): These perennial plants produce feathery plumes of flowers in shades of white, pink, red, and purple. They add a delicate texture and vibrant color to shady spots.
3.Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spp.): With heart-shaped flowers hanging from arching stems, bleeding hearts bring a touch of romance to shade gardens. They bloom in pink, white, or red and prefer moist soil.
4.Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.): These plants are prized for their colorful foliage, which ranges from deep burgundy to lime green. They also produce small, delicate flowers on tall stems.
5.Foamflower (Tiarella spp.): Foamflowers have unique foliage with intricate patterns and produce spiky flower clusters. They are low-growing plants that spread slowly, forming attractive ground covers.
6.Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum): This fern boasts striking silver and purple fronds that add elegance to any shady area. It prefers well-draining soil and is a great companion for other shade plants.
7.Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.): Lungwort is a low-maintenance plant that features spotted leaves and clusters of tubular flowers in pink, blue, or white. It thrives in moist, shady conditions.
8.Toad Lily (Tricyrtis spp.): These unique plants produce orchid-like flowers with speckled petals in shades of purple, pink, or white. They are ideal for adding a touch of exotic beauty to shady gardens.
9.Hellebore (Helleborus spp.): Also known as Lenten rose, hellebores are evergreen perennials that produce cup-shaped flowers in winter and early spring. They are available in various colors and can tolerate deep shade.
10.Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum spp.): This plant has arching stems adorned with dangling white or greenish flowers in spring. The graceful foliage adds a woodland feel to shady areas.
11.Blechnum Fern (Blechnum spp.): These ferns have glossy, deep green fronds that provide a lush, tropical look. They are perfect for moist, shaded spots, and some varieties can tolerate more sun.
12.Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium spp.): Jacob’s Ladder features delicate, ladder-like leaflets and clusters of bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white. It prefers partial to full shade.
13.Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica): These spring-blooming wildflowers produce bell-shaped flowers in shades of blue and pink. They prefer moist, rich soil and naturalize well.
14.Foxglove (Digitalis spp.): With tall spikes of tubular flowers in various colors, including pink, purple, and white, foxgloves add vertical interest to shady gardens. They self-seed easily and are biennial.
15.Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum): This low-growing ground cover features whorls of star-shaped white flowers and has a pleasant fragrance. It spreads quickly and is excellent for edging shaded pathways.
16.Astilboides (Astilboides tabularis): Also known as shield leaf, this plant has large, bold leaves that resemble umbrellas. It produces creamy white flowers on tall spikes and thrives in moist, shady areas.
17.Goat’s Beard (Aruncus dioicus): Goat’s beard is a tall perennial plant that produces fluffy, cream-colored plumes of flowers. It adds a touch of elegance and drama to shaded gardens and prefers moist soil.
18.Foamflower (Heucherella spp.): A hybrid between heuchera and tiarella, foamflower combines the best features of both plants. It has colorful foliage like heuchera and delicate flower spikes like tiarella, making it a versatile shade plant.
19.Bigroot Geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum): This hardy geranium features fragrant, deeply lobed leaves and delicate pink or white flowers. It spreads to form a dense ground cover and is drought-tolerant once established.
20.Barrenwort (Epimedium spp.): Barrenwort is a low-growing perennial that offers delicate, spider-like flowers and attractive foliage.
These 20 full shade plants offer a wide range of textures, colors, and forms, allowing you to create a diverse and beautiful garden even in areas with limited sunlight. Remember to consider the specific growing conditions in your garden, such as soil moisture and pH, when selecting and planting these shade-loving beauties. Happy gardening…