You might be surprised to know that there are actually lots of plants that grow in shade. So if you have a huge shady area at home, then put this area to good use. Here’s a list of 15 amazing plants that you can easily grow in shade.
1. Lady’s Mantles
Also known as the Alchemilla, the Lady’s Mantle is one of the easiest plants to grow in your yard. As water falls into its pleated leaves, it will bead up dazzling little flowers. The yellow green flowers usually bloom in early June. As such, they make for a fabulous filler for vases and bouquets during weddings. Furthermore, the Alchemilla is a trouble free and long lived plant that can grow in shades.
2. Alpine Forget-Me-Not
Forget-me-nots are popular plants that grow in shade and are famous for borders as well. They are extremely easy to grow. Therefore, this is the perfect flowering plant for newbie gardeners. These dainty perennials blooms early summer and features bright blue flowers and small tufted leaves.
3. Anemone Blanda Blue
Another plant that produces beautiful blue flowers is the Anemone Banda Blue. They are perfect for planting along with early flowering bulbs. This is because they help to hide foliage and also makes for a beautiful skirt under deciduous trees and shrubs. The plants can be grown in shade and are happiest in a light and sandy soil.
4. False Goat’s Beard
The False Goat’s Beard can make for a perfect focal point for your shady flower bed. Also called the Astilbe, they are recognized for their fluffy and tall plume that can tower above a frilly and fern-like foliage in shade gardens. These amazing flowers can also make for a great companion for other plants that are also shade tolerant. The maintenance of the plant is minimal. In addition, care would require regular and even watering.
5. Begonias
The annual begonias are known for its many uses in a summer garden, especially in the shaded areas. They are relatively easy to care for although watering is very important, just like with other flowering plants. Although it can thrive well in shaded location, it can also grow under full sun. However, it should be noted that planting the begonias under full sun could stress the plant. It could also make them susceptible to diseases. Therefore, they should not be planted in areas that are exceptionally hot.
6. Bleeding Heart
The beautiful blooms of the Bleeding Heart usually appears during early spring. The heart shaped flowers give life to your garden especially when the bluish green foliage will start to emerge. Caring for this plant is easy. It merely requires keeping the soil to be moist consistently through regular watering. The plant prefers to be grown in an organic soil under a shady part of your garden.
7. Urn Orchid
The Urn Orchid, also known as Bletilla, is one of those orchids that love the shade. This amazing ground orchid features large and beautiful purple flowers with upright stems. It is easy to grow and care for and can even be grown indoors. After flowering, the orchids can be moved inside under a partial shade.
8. Caladium
It is easy to grow Caladiums. These shade loving plants are commonly grown due to their multi colored foliage. It features the shades of white, red and pink. They can be grown in containers and are often clumped together in a bed or used as borders.
9. Coral Bells
If you want to grow a stunning flower in your garden, then the coral bells would be a great choice. The plants produce intense variety of foliage color. Therefore, it can give your garden lots of color. Usually grown in wooded areas, the coral bells can also be grown easily in any shaded part of your garden or lawn. This is one of the most beautiful flowering plants that grow in shade.
10. Cowslip Primrose
The Cowslip Primrose is one of the most popular household plants in the Europe and in the US. The Cowslip is a hardy species of Primrose that bears upright stems of lemon yellow flowers. The flowers produces a very fragrant scent. Therefore, if you are in need of a sweet smelling and shade loving plants in your garden, then the Cowslip is a great choice.
11. Dead Nettle
This low spreading plant features a silvery foliage with red, pink, purple or white blooms. When planted on a shady location, the plant can spread very easily. If you end up winding too much of the plant, simply give it a gentle tug. Afterwards, lift a whole section and then you can give it to your neighbor who loves to grow the plant.
12. English Ivy
The English ivy plants are known for being a great climber. It clings to just about any surface through its small roots that grow by the stems. The English Ivy care is a snap. Therefore, you can plant it even in hard to reach shady areas without having to worry about the maintenance.
13. Barrenwort
The Barrenwort flowers can thrive well under a full shade. Thus, it can flourish even in the deepest shadows. This flowering plant is easy to grow and the flowers will usually die back during winter. However, some of the Barrenwort varieties are evergreen. The plant can benefit from shearing in late winter to help encourage the growth of colorful blooms.
14. Spurges
The Spurges or Euphorbia, are among the most beautiful shade tolerant flowers to grow. This burgundy leafed plant self sows, although the seedlings can be removed easily. There is also another variety of the Euphorbia that love the shade. The Euphorbia polychroma is a dome shaped chrome yellow flower that blooms in late spring.
15. Ferns
The ferns are one of those hardy plants that usually reappears even after a tough winter season. These perennials are available in a wide variety of sizes, colors and shapes. They absolutely love the shade. As a result, they are among the most preferred plant for shade planting. It prefers a somewhat moist ground although they are also drought resistant.