What Are The Best Shade Flowers?

Shade flowers we love them, and it’s good to have a cool and shady setting around your home.

However, shade can present challenges if you love to grow flowers and other types of plants.

Torenia (Wishbone Flower) one of the many attractive shade flowersPin

Luckily, there are quite a few shade-loving flowering plants that do well even on the north side of your house.

Many produce not only beautiful flowers but also have lovely variegated foliage.


In this article, we present a collection of shade-loving plants to help you brighten up the shady places in your yard. Read on to learn more.

The 40 Best Shade Flowers

Azalea Shrubs

Azaleas are woody shrubs related to rhododendrons.

Azalea flowers come in a wide variety of colors, and if you live in a warmer climate, the foliage is evergreen.

In the springtime, Azaleas are covered in clouds of red, purple, pink, and white flowers.

colorful flowering Azaleas bushesPin

There are some orange and yellow hybrids available, but they are less hardy.

Azaleas do well in dappled shade or light shade, and they prefer well-draining soil kept slightly moist.

You should frequently water during the hot, dry months of summer.

Use a fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants at the beginning of the growing season.

Azaleas do not do well in areas with extremely cold winters. Some varieties are somewhat cold tolerant.

Be sure to read the plant tag very carefully to determine whether or not the Azalea you choose will thrive in your area.



More Growing Details on Azalea Flowers

Astilbe (False Goat’s Beard)

Astilbe is also known as False Goat’s Beard. This plant is extremely hardy and easy-care.

It is a perennial thriving in a partial shade setting with soft, humus soil.

Bed of red blooming Astible FanalPin

Astilbe flowers are red, lavender, white, or pink feathery plumes and fern-like foliage.

Astilbe thrives in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9.

Details on Growing Astilbe Fanal

Acanthus Mollis (Bears’ Breeches)

Acanthus mollis is also known as Bears’ Breeches. These enthusiastic plants do very well in partial shade or full shade, and they can thrive in areas with extreme temperatures ranging from very cold winters and very hot summers.

acanthus mollis plants in flowerPin

Bears’ Breeches are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 6 to 7. Be careful because these plants are invasive in areas experiencing mild winters.

Bears’ Breeches are both deer resistant and drought tolerant. The plant has large, deep green lobed leaves and sends up flower spikes nearly 3’ feet tall.

The blossoms are small and look somewhat like snapdragons. They are an attractive shade of creamy white with dark purple hoods.

More on Growing Bear’s Breeches

Lamprocapnos Spectabilis (Bleeding Heart)

Lamprocapnos spectabilis formerly known as Dicentra spectablis or Bleeding Heart is a lovely woodland plant growing to be only about 3’ feet high.

It does well in a partial shade setting with moist, well-draining soil.

Flowering Bleeding Heart Plant, botanically Lamprocapnos spectabilis - formerly Dicentra spectablisPin

Bleeding heart is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 2 or 7.

This perennial plant produces lovely pink heart-shaped blossoms on arching stems.

The foliage is a pretty shade of green throughout the summer months and then provides some autumn color in the fall when it turns yellow.

Details on Bleeding Heart Plant Care

Yellow Corydalis

Yellow corydalis is a member of the Bleeding Heart family.

The Greek word, corydalis, means lark’s head, and it refers to the flowers which look like a lark’s head.

Flowering Yellow blooms of Corydalis LuteaPin

The plant is also known as yellow Larkspur, Yellow Fumitory, and Hollowort.

The plant has a mounding growth habit and grows well in shaded settings in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8.

More on Growing Yellow Corydalis

Myosotis Scorpioides (Forget-Me-Not)

Myosotis scorpioides is also called Forget-Me-Not. This self-seeding annual has pretty, five-petaled blue flowers early in the springtime.

colorful forget me nots plant and flowersPin

Leaves are heart-shaped and may sometimes be variegated. It does well in partial shade or full shade.

The plants spread slowly and do not need to be divided often. Over time, Forget-Me-Not will grow in large thick clumps in a naturalized setting.

Care Details on Forget Me Not Flowers

Brunnera Macrophylla or Siberian Bugloss (Forget-Me-Not)

Brunnera macrophylla or Siberian Bugloss is similar in appearance to Myosotis scorpioides and is also commonly called Forget-Me-Not.

Brunnera Macrophylla Plant Care: How To Grow Siberian BuglossPin

This plant is a rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial, which may occasionally sport variegated foliage, along with the pretty blue blossoms.

Brunnera Macrophylla Care Details

Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Heuchera is also known as Coral Bells.

This drought and heat-tolerant perennial are extremely easy to care for and are quite attractive.

Beautiful foliage of the Heuchera plant (Coral Bells)Pin

Foliage grows to be 6” – 18” inches tall, and the leaves look like those of geraniums.

The blossoms grow on spikes.

Individual flowers are small and bell-like and come in shades of white, pink, and red.

Blooms appear in June and should be deadheaded to encourage more blossoms.

Coral Bells do well in full sun but also do well in partial shade.

They like moist, well-drained alkaline soil and are winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9.

Heuchera Plant Care Details

Digitalis Purpurea (Foxglove)

Digitalis purpurea is also known as Foxglove. This tall, attractive plant produces pretty, tubular flowers on spikes standing as high as 5’ feet.

Foxglove does well in dry, partial shade.

Flowers of the Foxglove - Digitalis purpureaPin

It is a biennial plant growing low in the first year and then sending up flower spikes in the second year.

Under ideal conditions, the plant will reseed itself so expect to have Foxgloves annually.

These plants prefer well-draining, acidic soil amended with hummus.

Foxglove is an excellent addition to your hummingbird and butterfly garden, but the plants are poisonous so take care to keep them away from kids and pets.

Foxglove is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9.

More on Growing the Digitalis Plant

Hellebore (Lenten Rose)

Hellebore is also known as Lenten Rose. This pretty perennial blooms late in the wintertime or very early in the springtime.

The plant does well in partial shade or even full shade and will grow happily for several years under ideal conditions.

It is an excellent addition to a woodland garden and is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9.

Hosta

Hosta is a pretty perennial plant standing about 2’ feet tall.

Its real drawing card is its large, glossy heart-shaped leaves which may be either solid green, bluish-green, or variegated.

leaves and attractive foliage of the Hosta plantPin

In the summertime, the hosta sends up flower spikes sporting very sweet-smelling, narrowly tubular flowers.

Hosta is an almost no-care plant spreading enthusiastically in light shade to full shade settings.

Water deeply during the hot summer months, and take care to keep leaves around the base trimmed away to prevent slug infestation.

Hosta is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9.

More Details on Hosta Plant Care

Hyacinthoides Hispanica (Spanish Bluebell or Wood Hyacinth)

Hyacinthoides hispanica is also known as Spanish Bluebells or Wood Hyacinth.

This plant does very well in dappled shade under trees.

Blue Flowers of Hyacinthoides HispanicaPin

It also thrives in light shade or partial shade or even full shade.

Spanish Bluebell flowers are small and bell-shaped.

They come in shades of white, pink, blue, or violet.

These deer-resistant plants are also poisonous, so you must handle them with care.

Contact with the sap can cause skin irritation.

The plant hails from North Africa and southwestern Europe.

It is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9.

In the northwestern United States, Wood Hyacinth is sometimes invasive.

Details on Spanish Bellbells Care aka (Hyacinthoides hispanica)

Impatiens

Impatiens is a perennial plant in warm climates and is often used as an annual in cold climates.

The plant does well in light shade or even in full shade. It prefers well-draining, moist soil.

flowers of the New Guinea impatiensPin

Impatiens blossoms come in a wide variety of colors including:

  • Orange
  • Bicolor
  • Violet
  • White
  • Pink
  • Rose

You do not need to deadhead the flowers to encourage new blooms, but you should pinch back the stems early in the growing season to encourage bushier growth.

Impatiens are popular throughout the United States.

Details on Impatiens New Guinea

Convallaria Majalis (Lily of the Valley)

Convallaria majalis is also known as Lily of the Valley. This plant is very easy to grow.

It is a spreading perennial doing well in partial or even full shade.

flowers of the lily of the valleyPin

This low-growing plant grows to be only about 8” inches high and has attractive sword-shaped leaves.

The blossoms are very small and white and look like bells. They appear early in the springtime, usually in April or May.

You may also hear Lily of the Valley referred to as Mary’s Tears or Little May Bells.

The blossoms are extremely sweet-smelling, and the plant is quite poisonous.

Lily of the Valley is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 7.

Care Details on Lily of the Valley Plant

Trillium Grandiflorum (White Trillium or Wood Lily)

Trillium grandiflorum is also known as White Trillium or Wood Lily.

Blooming White Trillium grandiflorumPin

This plant grows wild throughout the eastern United States.

It does well in humus-rich, well-drained moist soil in light to partial shade settings.

Wood Lily grows to be only about a foot high. Its large, oval leaves surround a broad (3” inches) flower transitioning from pure white to pink to red.

White Trillium is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 8.

More On: Growing Trillium grandiflorum

Asters

Asters are late summer bloomers that do well in a wide variety of settings ranging from partial shade to full sun.

These perennial wildflowers are winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9.

attractive blooms of the hardy asterPin

They produce clouds of pretty, daisy-like flowers in shades of white, purple, pink, and blue.

The showy plant stands about 2’ – 3’ feet high.

They will spring up naturally in almost any sort of soil, but cannot tolerate poor drainage.

Details on Growing the Hardy Aster Plant

Bellflower

Bellflower comes in several different varieties blooming at different times throughout the summer.

Winter hardiness, height, and flower colors vary from one species to another.

Purple flowers of the blooming Campanula portenschlagianaPin

Some stand to be a foot-high, while others stand to be 42” inches high.

The flowers are bell-shaped and attractive and come in shades of white, purple, and blue.

Bellflowers are winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8.

If you protect them during wintertime, they’ll grow in USDA hardiness zone 3.

Details on Bellflower Plant Growing and Care

Columbine

Columbine does well in partial shade to full sun.

beautiful Columbine flowers the Colorado state flower up close -Pin

The complex flowers are ruffled and spurred and came in a wide variety of colors, including:

  • Multicolored
  • Yellow
  • Purple
  • White
  • Blue
  • Red

Height varies depending upon the variety you choose.

Columbine may stand anywhere from 1’ foot high to 3’ feet high.

Columbine is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9.

Care Details on The Columbine Flower

Delphinium

Delphinium is a somewhat picky plant needing to be fertilized rather frequently.

Additionally, you must deadhead the flowers to encourage repeat blooms.

Blooming Blue DelphiniumPin

Even so, these shady place perennials are worth the effort it takes to grow them.

They stand tall and proud at a height ranging from 2’ – 6’ feet.

The pretty blossoms grow in shades ranging from white to pink to blue.

Delphiniums are winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 7.

They grow well in partial to full shade.

Details on Caring for Delphinium Plants

Lamium (Spotted Deadnettle or Colorful Carpet)

Lamium is also known as Spotted Deadnettle or Colorful Carpet.

Lamium flower aka Dead NettlePin

There are approximately fifty species of this member of the mint family.

This is a low-growing groundcover with pretty, silvery foliage and early summer blooms in shades of white, pink, purple, and red.

This shady place plant spreads enthusiastically but is not invasive.

More on the Dead Nettle Lamium

Tiarella Cordifolia (Foam Flower)

Tiarella cordifolia is also known as Foam Flower.

This plant has bottle brush-shaped flowers on tall stalks in shades of white to pale pink.

White flowers of Tiarella Cordifolia -FoamflowerPin

Some new varieties have attractive burgundy or red veins in the green leaves.

This herbaceous perennial member of the Saxifragaceae family does well in partial to full shade.

Learn more on Caring For Foam Flowers – Tiarella Cordifolia

Pulmonaria (Lungwort)

Pulmonaria is also known as Lung Wort.

There are many different species of this herbaceous perennial.

Flowering Pulmonaria Angustifolia Plant - LungwortPin

This plant has pretty green leaves with silvery markings.

Lung Wort blooms in the springtime displaying pretty white, blue, and pink flowers on one plant.

More on Growing on the Lungwort Plant

Primula (Primrose)

Primula is also known as Primrose.

Cream colored blooms of Primula Vulgaris (Primrose Plant)Pin

There are over four hundred different species of Primrose, and all of them do quite well in moist soil in shady places.

Color choice in primroses is limitless, and you are sure to find a size suiting your setting since the different species range from 3” inches high to 4’ feet tall.

Details on Primrose Care

Bletilla Striata

Bletilla striata are also known as hardy ground orchids.

Blooming Bletilla Striata (Ground Orchid)Pin

They are long-blooming presenting pretty white, pink, or yellow blossoms lasting as long as ten weeks.

They do well in partial sun/partial shade setting with well-draining soil.

There are several different species of these attractive orchids, and they do well in tropical and semi-tropical settings and are winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9.

Details on Growing the Ground Orchid Bletilla Striata

Monarda Clinopodia (Bee Balm or White Bergamot)

Monarda clinopodia is also known as the Bee Balm plant or White Bergamot.

It is a perennial wildflower that makes an excellent addition to your hummingbird, butterfly in the bee garden.

Blooming White Monarda Clinopodia (white bergamot)Pin
Image by Fritzflohrreynolds [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

The plant thrives in full sunshine but may tolerate some partial shade.

This tall, bushy plant produces pom-pom-like flowers in shades of red, purple, pink, and lavender.

Plants may grow to be 3’ – 4’ feet tall and wide.

Monarda prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil loamy soil.

It is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9.

Growing Monarda Clinopodia (White Bergamot)

Epimedium (Fairy Wings, Barrenwort or Bishop‘s Hat)

Epimedium is also known as Fairy Wings, Barrenwort, or Bishop‘s Hat.

It is a rhizomatous perennial wildflower that is easy to grow as a groundcover in dry shade.

The plant has heart-shaped or oval leaves with wiry stems.

The slightly furry leaves may have a bronze or pinkish tinge in the autumn.

Delicate flowers appear in sprays of lavender, orange, pink, yellow or white in the springtime.

Some say the blossoms resemble those of ground orchids.

Details on Caring for and Growing Barrenwort plants – Epimedium

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas come in 7 basic varieties, all of which do well in fairly shady settings.

bloms of the Hydrangea plantPin

They are:

  • Mophead hydrangeas have large leaves and pretty clusters of blue flowers.
  • Lacecap hydrangeas have clusters of tiny buds surrounded by an edging of showy blooms.
  • Mountain hydrangeas are a cold-hardy, bigleaf variety with smaller flowers.
  • Panicle hydrangeas have longer, darker leaves and flowers growing in cone-shaped clusters.
  • Smooth or Wild hydrangeas are US natives winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 7.
  • Oakleaf hydrangeas have leaves resembling those of oak trees, true to their name.
  • Climbing hydrangeas hail from Japan and display and interesting climbing growth habit.

Details on Hydrangea Care

Polemonium Reptans (Jacob’s Ladder)

Polemonium reptans are also known as Jacob’s Ladder. This plant grows to be a maximum of 18” high.

Pretty violet, bell-shaped flowers grow as branched clusters.

Leaves have many small divisions, giving them a ladder-like appearance.

The plant is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8.

Stachys Byzantina (Lamb’s Ear)

Stachys byzantina is also known as Lamb’s Ear because of its fuzzy, bluish-green foliage.

furry leaves of lambs ear plant (Stachys byzantina)Pin

This herbaceous perennial produces pale purple flowers during the summer months.

It is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones. 4 through 7.

Growing Lambs Ear Plants

Louisiana Iris

Louisiana Iris is a wildflower growing naturally in many parts of the southern United States, especially Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Florida.

Blooming Louisiana IrisPin

It is winter hardy through USDA hardiness zone 6 – 10.

The pretty, classic flowers come in a wide variety of colors including:

  • Multi-colored
  • White
  • Purple
  • Yellow
  • Rust
  • Blue
  • Pink

Details on Growing Louisiana Iris

Aconitum Napellus (Monkshood or Wolfsbane)

Aconitum napellus is also called Monkshood or Wolfsbane.

This herbaceous wildflower has dark green, palmate leaves, and showy bluish/purple blooms.

Aconitum Napellus flowers (Monk's Hood)Pin

This very pretty plant is also very poisonous.

Its sap contains a heart poison and nerve toxin used in ancient times to poison arrows and spears.

Growing it is not advisable, but if you must, keep it well out of the reach of children and pets and use extreme caution when handling it yourself.

It is relatively difficult to grow as the roots are quite fragile.

A setting with average, moist soil and morning sunlight is the best choice.

Care Details on the Monkshood Plant

Iris Sibirica (Siberian Iris)

Iris sibirica or Siberian Iris is an elegant, shade-tolerant iris that does well when supplied with plenty of nitrogen.

Blooming Siberian Iris up closePin

The plant is available in many varieties, which all sport showy, frilly blooms in colors including many shades of:

  • Magenta
  • Yellow
  • Purple
  • White
  • Pink
  • Blue

These extremely cold hardy irises are successful in USDA hardiness zones 2-5.

Siberian Iris Growing and Care

Tricyrtis SPP. (Toad Lily)

Tricyrtis spp. is also known as Toad Lily.

These pretty plants hail from many parts of Asia, where they are found growing wild in woodland settings.

exotic orchid like Tricytis lily (toad lily)Pin

They are easy to care for and produce small, dandelion-like flowers in shades of purple, orange, and white during the late summer and early autumn.

Details on Growing the Toad Lily Tricyrtis

Vinca (Periwinkle)

Vinca is also known as Periwinkle.

It is an enthusiastic groundcover plant (hailing from Asia) well known to gardeners in the southern United States.

blooms of the periwinkle plant (Vinca)Pin

It will quickly and easily fill in the space below trees in a warm climate garden.

Leaves are teardrop-shaped and may be solid green or variegated.

Blossoms are pale purple and cover the plant generously throughout the spring and summer.

Growing the Periwinkle Flower

Viola (Violets)

Viola or Violets are members of the Violaceae family.

Many different types are ranging from wild woodland violets to pansies, violas, and Johnny-Jump-Ups.

flowering viola plantsPin

These annual plants prefer temperate climates, but even in very cold climates they may self-seed and return year after year.

Violaceae leaves are typically heart-shaped.

Wild violets are a tiny and naturally deep purple.

Cultivated members of the family produce blooms in a wide variety of sizes and colors such as:

  • Bi-colored
  • Yellow
  • White
  • Cream
  • Blue

These plants do well in dappled sunlight setting under trees.

More on Viola Sweet Violet

Mertensia Virginica (Virginia Bluebell)

Mertensia virginica is also known as Virginia Bluebell.

This herbaceous perennial is a North American native growing well in partial to full shade.

Virginia bluebells in flowerPin

The plant has a height and spread of about 18”.

The plants’ leaves are oval and bluish/green.

Blooms start as pink buds and unfurl into trumpet-shaped, pendulous blue clusters of blossoms.

Virginia Bluebells are winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8.

Growing Virginia Bluebells

Torenia Fournier (Wishbone Flower)

Torenia fournieri is also known as Wishbone Flower. This native of Asia has a height and spread of about one foot.

Pretty, trumpet-shaped flowers come in shades ranging from pale to deep purple and may also be bi-colored.

purple wishbone flowers up closePin

Bloom time is early summer through early winter.

The plant somewhat resembles a petunia, but it is best grown in deep shade.

This hardy annual is successfully grown in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 11.

Details on Growing the Torenia Plant

Sutera cordata (Bacopa)

Sutera cordata is also known as Bacopa. This pretty plant is a great filler for a hanging basket or as a ground cover in a partially shaded garden.

The classic version of the plant has small, rounded, scalloped leaves and produces masses of little white flowers.

Flowering Bacopa (Sutera Cordata)Pin

Other cultivars offer bunches of dainty blooms in shades of:

  • Coral Red
  • Lavender
  • White
  • Pink
  • Blue

Bacopa is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11.

Details on Bacopa Plant Care

Browallia (Violet or Amethyst Flower)

Browallia is also known as Bush Violet or Amethyst Flower.

The plant is a perennial, which is winter hardy to USDA hardiness zone 8A, but it is often used as an annual in other settings.

Browallia speciosa: Browallia series include Bells and Endless Illumination. This is a traditional annual with pretty, corrugated green leaves and an abundance of purplish blue flowersPin

Browallia stands about 18” high and produces pretty five-petaled blooms in shades of violet from mid-summer to early fall.

Leaves are light to dark green and oval-shaped.

More on Growing the Browallia Flower

Lobelia

Lobelia is a shade-loving herbaceous perennial available in a wide variety of cultivars which are typically winter hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, with some exceptions tolerating lower temperatures in zone 3.

the "blue" of Lobelia FlowersPin

Flower colors, shapes, and sizes range from the very small white blooms of Creeping Lobelia, large pink blossoms of Lobelia Cotton Candy, and deep purple-blues of Lobelia erinus.

More Details on Care of Lobelia Flowers

Caladium

Caladium is not a flowering plant, but it does produce very large, pretty, and colorful leaves in shades ranging from deep green to pink to bronze.

Colorful leaves of Caladium bulbsPin

There are many attractive cultivars to choose from, most of which do very well in deep shade settings.

The plant grows to be about 12” – 15” inches high.

Growing Caladium Bulbs

Carex Testacea (Indian Summer or Prairie Fire Sedge)

Carex testacea Indian Summer is also known as Prairie Fire Sedge.

This ornamental grass is a set-it-and-forget-it perennial plant growing to be about 28” high.

Potted grass Carex testaceaPin
Image: chuck b. [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

It displays pretty reddish-brown plumes early in the summer.

When these have died back, the foliage transitions from deep olive green to orange to reddish-brown.

Although this plant can do well in the shade, colors will be more intense with more sun.

The plant is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 6 through 9.

More on Growing Carex Testacea

Choose The Right Shade Flower For The Type Of Shade You Have

Carefully evaluate the shade in your yard to determine just how much or how little sunlight the plants you choose will have.

Here’s a rundown on the types of shade you’re likely to find:

  • The moist, cool shade is often found on the north side of your house.
    This is a good choice for many shade-loving plants such as ferns, but it may not be adequate for flowering plants.
  • Partial shade refers to an area receiving four or five hours of sunlight daily. There are quite a few plants which will do very well in partial shade, especially with morning sun. Afternoon sun may be too hot for shade flowers.
  • Areas with light shade received 2 to 4 hours of sunlight daily. In very hot areas, all kinds of plants can do well in light shade as they need protection from the punishing sun.
  • The filtered shade is found under a canopy of trees. It is also referred to as dappled shade. Quite a few shades loving flowers make good understory in this type of shade setting.
  • Full shade can usually be found on the north side of your home or underneath large and thick shade trees. These areas do not receive direct sun at all.
  • Dry shade is found in areas completely shaded and don’t get much moisture from rain. Dry shade is usually found under large, thick trees which not only shield the ground below from the sun but also rain.

Prepare The Soil Well

It’s important to understand most shade-loving plants are adapted to growing on the forest floor where the soil is very rich, moist, and naturally amended with fallen leaves or needles.

Before you plant a shade garden, be sure to turn the soil deeply and amend it with organic matter to a deep level.

If planting under a tree, be careful not to damage the tree’s roots as you plant your shade garden.