What is a good perrienal to plant in a somewhat shady area?

Question

I would like them to be somewhat colorful. No ferns please, I'm not a fern fan!

Thanks

Answer 1

Try Columbine, it flowers in spring and fall and comes in a variety of colors.

Answer 2

Hosta, Lenten Rose,  just to name a few, heres a link to more

http://www.waysidegardencenter.com/shade...

Answer 3

Hostas are the perfect shade plant--although the blooms are not what is the prettiest part--it's the leaves.  They do have a flower stalk with light purple blooms (mine are blooming right now), but the leaves are beautiful.  You can find all types of varieties, striped or solid, ranging from pale yellow-green to deep blue-green, either smooth or wavy leaves, and from 6" across to about 3' across!  I have a very shaded front yard, and I have them all over in front--even I can't kill them, and I have a black thumb!  And if they get overgrown after a few years, you can dig them up, cut the roots in half with a sharp knife, and plant the two halves--my mother gave me starts to about a dozen of her plants this spring, and hers are so healthy that you can't even see where she divided them!

Answer 4

Hostas love the shade.  They grow larger each year and you could even make a row of them with at least a foot or more in between planting.  Then you could plant annuals in between them if you would like. Hostas can have solid green leaves or green and white leaves.  I find that the green and white leafed ones are more sensitive to the sun.  Hostas end up with long shoots of flowers.  They look wonderful when planted thoughtfully.  Of course there are many other perennials to choose from and you could see your local nursery and check the tags or go on line and search for flowers etc. and you should find a site there that could help.  May your thumb be green!

Answer 5

Heucheras are beautiful, come in a huge range of leaf colours, as well as flower each summer, and they generally love the shade.  

Hostas, as mentioned elsewhere, are also good, if you have a moist shady area.

Many Rhododendrons will be fine in the shade, some flowering a little better with some more filtered light.  Helleborus Niger and Helleborus orientalis flower in late winter and into spring, with white to pink/purple flower colours, and provide good evergreen ground cover too.

You can also cover many areas, either at ground level or vertically, with English Ivies - Hedera Helix.  These come in a huge range of leaf patterns, variegation etc.

Your choice is also going to be governed by the area that you live in, as some plants may be too tender etc.  If you edit your question with your location it will be easier to give you precise recommendations and tips.

Hope this helps.  Good luck!  Rob

Answer 6

As has already been mentioned, hostas are perfect as part of a shady garden.  I like the variegated ones, because they brighten up a shady spot.  I also recommend astilbe <lovely feather-y flower spikes>, bleeding heart, lily of the valley and Endless Summer hydrangea.  As icing on the planting cake, you could also intersperse some impatiens for additional color.

Answer 7

Hosta or hydrangea