15 shade-loving plants to brighten dark garden corners naturally

In most gardens, there are shady places with almost no light, under trees or against walls. It can be challenging to garden in the shade. Many plants require sunlight in order to thrive, but shady spots don’t have as much light. The soil in these regions often remains wet for longer periods and tree roots can occupy much of the space. This makes it more difficult for plants to establish. Those challenges can make shaded areas seem unsuitable for gardening.

However, despite these challenges, shaded zones have many advantages. They remain cooler in the heat; they are more water-conservative and often lower-maintenance than sunny areas. Plants that thrive in shade are the perfect choice for these spots, and, once planted, they are often the easiest to take care of. Simply by selecting the best plants for shade gardens, gardeners can transform any low light corner into a delightful and lovely area.

Understanding Shade in the Garden

Gardening in the shade may present a particular set of challenges, but it also provides interesting possibilities for plant selection and landscape style.

Types of Shade

1. Full Shade: An area that gets less than 3 hours of direct sunlight each day. These spots are generally under heavy tree canopies or on the northern face of a building where no sunlight is available for most of the day.
2. Partial Shade: A garden area that receives 3-6 hours of sun daily, usually in the morning or late afternoon. Partial shady locations can be underneath trees with broken canopies or up against walls that shade part of the day.
3. Dappled Sunlight: Dappled sunlight is sunlight that has been filtered through leaves or overhead material. The sunlight pierces it in spots, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Challenges of Shaded Areas

• Reduced Photosynthesis: Plants require sunlight to make food by means of photosynthesis. In shaded spots, there is less sunlight to encourage their growth, so they develop more slowly.
• Moisture Retention: Areas that are shaded will hold more moisture and have soggy soil. If the soil becomes oversaturated, this can lead to root problems.
• Poor Air Circulation: Shady spots also get less airflow, increasing the likelihood that they maintain moist conditions, which promote diseases such as mold and fungi.

15 Shade-Loving Plants to Brighten Dark Garden Corners Naturally

When it comes to putting together a garden with shade, it's important to choose plants that flourish in dim lighting, but that also introduce beauty and contrast. Perennials, shrubs, groundcovers and vines all have unique benefits for the shade garden.

A. Perennials

Shade loving perennials are great in any shade garden as they come back year after year. They create lasting beauty with minimal maintenance.

1. Hostas

Hostas are one of the most commonly grown perennials for shaded garden areas. Recognized for their diverse forms, they range from large, dramatic leaves to small, delicate types in an array of sizes, shapes and colors. Hostas also have striking leaves in shades of green, blue, gold and variegated varieties, so they provide year-round interest, even when not in bloom.

• Ideal Conditions: Hostas prefer full to partial shade and rich, well-draining soil. They’re ideal for bringing texture to any dark area and require very little maintenance.
• Varieties: Some common cultivars are Blue Angel, Sum and Substance and Gold Standard.

2. Astilbes

Astilbes feature light, feathery, plume-shaped flowers in red, pink, white and purple, which provide color, contrast and texture in the shade garden. These are appreciated for their distinctive, airy flowers that appear in mid to late summer.

• Ideal Conditions: Astilbes like lots of moisture, they like to be well-drained, and they like partial to full natural light. They are especially well-suited for the damper parts of the garden.
• Varieties: Some popular ones are Fanal (red), Vision in White (white), and Rheinland (pink).

3. Heucheras

Heucheras, or Coral Bells, are valued for their bold-colored foliage. Colors include purple, red, chartreuse green, and silver. They display their small, bell-shaped flowers on tall stems in late spring or early summer and make a lovely contrast with the leaves.

• Ideal Conditions: These plants like partial shade and are at their best in well drained, evenly moist soil. For bright accents in the shady garden, it's hard to beat Heucheras.
• Varieties: Some standout varieties include Caramel, Palace Purple, and Tiramisu.

4. Brunnera

Brunnera is a low light outdoor plants with heart shaped leaves that are usually silver or variegated. In early spring, this plant bears loose small, sky blue flowers similar in appearance to forget-me-nots and it is a good plant for a woodland planting.

• Ideal Conditions: Brunneras like rich, moist soil and partial to full shade. They are able to handle a variety of moistures but moist side works best.
• Varieties: One popular variety has silver-dusted leaves with blue flowers which is called Jack Frost.

5. Epimediums

Epimediums are low, evergreen ground covers bearing airy, usually nodding flowers in shades of yellow, pink and purple. Their small, heart-shaped leaves give them year-round interest, and they are known for turning red or purple in the fall.

• Ideal Conditions: Epimediums perform best in dry shade and work well in woodland gardens. They are happiest in a slightly acid, well drained soil.
• Varieties: There are a few popular types such as Purple Leaf, Rubrum, and Burgundy for incredible foliage color.

6. Pulmonarias

Pulmonarias are admired for their handsome, spotted leaves and their early spring flowers, borne in pinks, blues and purples. These plants offer early color in the garden, and are particularly useful in regions where little else is flowering.

• Ideal Conditions: Prefers cool, moist, well-drained soils in partial to full shade. Great for natives of the woodland or shaded garden bed.
• Varieties: Among the most popular are Lewis Palmer and Majeste for their colorful flowers and foliage.

7. Ferns

Ferns are also varied plants that do well in shade. Beautiful varieties like Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) or Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum) also have extremely fine fronds which provide texture in shaded gardens.

• Ideal Conditions: Ferns prefer damp, well-drained soil and prefer light to full shade. They are like a slightly acidic environment, and can handle other types of moisture when it comes to soil dryness but perform the best in continuously damp soil.
• Varieties: Lady Fern, Japanese Painted Fern, and Maidenhair Fern are excellent choices.

8. Bleeding Hearts

Bleeding Hearts get their name from the arching stems which bear heart-shaped flowers that hang from thread-like stems. Their distinctive flowers come in pink, white or red and provide a fanciful, romantic accent to shaded spots.

• Ideal Conditions: These plants prefer moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. They are great in shaded garden locations to add a soft, airy feeling.
• Varieties: Alba (white flowers) and Luxuriant (pink flowers) are popular options.

9. Solomon’s Seal

Solomon’s Seal is a graceful perennial with arching stems of delicate, bell shaped white or greenish flowers that grow in shade below the leaves in the spring. Its new growth is displayed throughout the growing season and turns to gold in fall.

• Ideal Conditions: Plant in well-drained, humus-rich soil and likes partial to full shade. They are perfect for woodland gardens and shady spaces.
• Varieties: Variegatum and Silver Lace are popular choices for their striking foliage.

10. Hellebores

Hellebores, also known as Lenten Roses, flower early in the season, sometimes as early as before the last frost. This provides one of the earliest indications of spring. Their flowers may be white, pink, purple or green and are frequently pendulous, adding a touch of grace to garden beds and borders.

• Ideal Conditions: Hellebores like partial to full shade and rich, well-draining soil. After being established, they are drought tolerant and are great for very early season color in shady areas.
• Varieties: Red Lady, Winter Moonbeam, and 'Double Ellen are popular varieties.

B. Shrubs

Shrubs are a great choice for adding structure, height and extra color to the shaded garden.

11. Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are known for their super-showy clusters of colorful shade plants that range in color from pink, blue, white, and purple. Most hydrangeas prefer full sun, but many varieties of the Hydrangea macrophylla (or, bigleaf hydrangea) will tolerate partial sun.

• Ideal Conditions: Hydrangeas love moist but well-drained soil and partial shade. They need regular watering and will appreciate some shelter from the blazing midday sun.
• Varieties: Endless Summer and Lady in Red are popular varieties for shade.

12. Azaleas

Azaleas are deciduous or evergreen shrubs that herald spring with vibrant blossoms. They have a variety of colors, like pink, red, white and purple, and can bloom for weeks, depending on the variety.

• Ideal Conditions: Azaleas grow best in acidic, well-drained soil with exposure to partial shade. Shade garden, woodland, or along the edge of the woods.
• Varieties: Encore, Indica, and Gable are popular varieties for shade gardens.

13. Rhododendrons

Evergreen shrubs, such as rhododendron bloom are borne in large clusters in late spring or early summer. Flower colors range from white to purple to red, and their evergreen foliage is attractive year round.

• Ideal Conditions: Rhododendrons prefer partial shade and well-drained, acidic soil. They are ideal for adding long-lasting structure to those shady spots.
• Varieties: English Roseum, Nova Zembla, and Pink Pearl are popular varieties.

C. Ground Covers and Vines

Ground covers and vines are great space fillers, add another layer of texture, and soften garden boundaries.

14. Vinca Minor

Vinca Minor, or periwinkle, is a common evergreen ground cover with small violet-blue flowers in the spring. The glossy, dark green foliage forms a dense mat that excludes weeds and provides year round interest.

• Ideal Conditions: Periwinkle thrives in partial to full shade and well-drained soil. It is an excellent choice for covering large areas of the garden or under trees.
• Varieties: Alba (white flowers) and Variegata (variegated leaves) are commonly used.

15. Lamium

Lamium is a perennial evergreen ground cover plant with silver or variegated green and white foliage and flowers in shades of pink, white and purple in little tubular shapes. It is very rapidly growing, forming a thick coat of color.

• Ideal Conditions: Lamium thrives in partial shade to full shade and well-drained, moist soil.
• Varieties: White Nancy (white flowers) and Pink Chablis (pink flowers) are popular varieties.

Planting Tips for Shade Gardens

Here are essential planting tips to ensure the shade garden flourishes:

1. Soil Preparation

First, build better soil structure. Shade gardens usually have heavy, poorly-drained soils. Improve both drainage and fertility by adding organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to the soil. This will give the plants the nutrients they need to grow, while not packing down the soil which may hinder root growth.

2. Watering Practices

Most shade plants like an even supply of moisture but can suffer root rot if overwatered. Keep soil evenly moist, but not soggy. For irrigation, use a drip system or soaker hose to get the water straight to the roots and reduce evaporation. Make sure the soil is dry, then water it, to avoid adding to the moisture.

3. Mulching

Place some organic mulch, bark, wood chips, or leaves around the plants. Mulch helps to conserve soil moisture, minimizes evaporation, and combats weeds. It also insulates plant roots when temperatures suddenly drop. 

4. Companion Planting

When designing the shade garden, group plants with the same water and light needs. Everything grows together without one plant struggling to take nutrients from another. For instance, a partnership of moisture-loving ferns and astilbes can be the basis of a peaceful, low-maintenance display.

Seasonal Care and Maintenance

Having a shade garden all year long means a lot of work to keep all those plants healthy. Here are some seasonal gardening tips:

• Spring: Start spring by cleaning up the garden from winter debris (leaves and dead plant matter). This helps to keep the air moving and prevent mold. Gardeners might inspect for new growth, prune any dead or damaged branches, and divide perennials that have overgrown their space.
• Summer: Gardeners should inspect their garden for pests like aphids or slugs, which thrive in the shady, wet areas of the garden during summer. Water regularly, especially during periods of drought. Adding mulch around the plants retains moisture and cools the soil.
• Fall: As the weather cools, the plants benefit from a layer of mulch to protect roots during the cold winter months. Mulching also aids in weed control as well as helps to retain soil moisture during the colder temperatures.
• Winter: In dormant winter gardeners should water only when necessary, as plants need less water while dormant. Plants can be kept safe from freezing temperatures by using burlap or frost cloth, particularly for more tender types.

Summary

Shade gardens are great options for using garden space that doesn’t get a lot of sunlight. The right plants can help turn these spaces into lovely, low-maintenance gardens. Not only are these shade-loving plants a great aesthetic choice. They offer a visual contrast to the rest of the landscape but they are also far less needy both in terms of water and care than their sunbathing counterparts.

Growcycle has how to guides for plant care and garden planning, allowing farmers to choose the right plants for their gardens whether it's shade gardens or any type of garden. With a little easy shade plants for backyard and some care, a mossy-floored woodland nook or even a side of an urban lot in shadow can be transformed into a place of leafy loveliness.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.