What are some plants that grow well in shade?

Question

I have hostas, but I want something else that blooms colorfully.

Answer 1

Try some Astilbe.  Even when the flowers fade, the foliage is nice.  I like Astilbe 'Rheinland', 'Deutschland', and 'Fanal'.  There are lower growing Astilbes such as 'Sprite' and the species pumila.  Do some internet investigating to get a sequence of bloom that will take you from late spring well into the summer.  Don't forget that there are many beautiful and hardy ferns that thrive in the shade.

Answer 2

Daphne Adora, Gardenias, Bromiliads,Hydrangeas(part shade)Honeysuckle,Azalias,Zygocactis,.

Answer 3

The earliest blooms in shade come from helleborus, an evergreen, magnificent plant whose flowers bloom for up to four months and range in color from pale green to mauve to deep purple, and everything in between.

Epimedium is also evergreen and will give you adorable little yellow flowers in spring. The heart shaped leaves are charming. Bleeding hearts, penstemon, beard tongue, and coral bells will round you out. I also grow candylilies in shade with great success, and toad lilies are pretty amazing.

Hydrangea is a GREAT shrub for shade. Try some of the everblooming varieties, such as Endless Simmer. Nikko Blue is a reliable hydrangea, too, as is Pia, if you like dark pink to purple.

Answer 4

http://www.naturehills.com/catalog/peren...

Answer 5

Impatiens and coleus are colorful and usually easy to find.

Answer 6

Heucheras are great shade plants,  mostly grown for their foliage colour, which comes in a huge range of colours.   They all flower in summer too, and they are one of the most reliable shade plants to grow.

Dicentras grow well in my shady garden areas, and these flower in late spring/early summer time.   http://www.daytonnursery.com/Encyclopedi...

I'd also recommend some bulbs,  though in really dense shade they may need to be replaced with stronger new ones regularly, as they may not build their strength back up, without sufficient light. Bluebells and Daffodils/Narcissus can be grown, and will give you good spring colour.

Bergenias are evergreen, with pink/red flowers in late winter and early spring time.   http://www.mobot.org/GARDENINGHELP/PLANT...



Mimulus are really colourful, long flowering plants, and these spread well.  They come in a diverse range of shades. http://plants.thompson-morgan.com/pix/m/...  http://www.fernlea.com/annual/variety/mi...

If you have peaty/acidic soil it's also worth having Pieris or Rhododendrons,  the former mainly for its bright spring foliage - though it also flowers - http://www.rampantscotland.com/graphics/... Rhododendrons come in so many colours, from white, through to purples.  They're fairly easy, as long as the soil is acidic and reasonably moist.  

Hope these ideas help.   Good luck!  Rob

Answer 7

if you want color you need to grow coleus these are great color plants in alot of different varieties you can also bring them indoors for the frost and have them in your living room for color over the colder months out doors you can have inpatients as well as hydrangea's which will give you big blossoms for cut flowers there are many different types of ferns also which grow quite well in shady conditions