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    Home » Gardening

    7 Unusual Shade Loving Perennials

    July 5, 2020 by Patti Estep 5 Comments

    Epimedium in bloom with yellow flowers
    Solomon's seal in bloom

    Learn about 7 easy to grow shade loving perennials, a little out of the norm that you will definitely want to add to this year's wish list for the garden.

    Collage of unique shade loving perennials

    I have a good deal of shade on my property. My home was built in the mid-eighties so much of the original landscaping is mature, including the trees which offer quite a bit of shade.

    This is great for our electric bill in the summer, but not so great for someone who wants to grow sun-loving flowers and vegetables. That being said I have found many great plants that work well in the shade. Here are seven shade loving plants that are not the run-of-the-mill plants, which just might work for your shady areas.

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    All of these perennials grow well in my Zone 6 garden and come back year after year in full vigor.

    7 Unique Shade Loving Plants

    Lungwort Raspberry Splash
    Lungwart foliage

    Pulmonaria aka Lungwort

    Lungwort is a perennial that comes up early in the spring. I love the bright flowers. Many varieties have spotted leaves for great visual interest. Learn more about Pulmonaria aka lungwort its history and growing habits.

    Variegated Solomon's Seal

    Solomon's Seal

    I have this beauty in two spots. The first one is located in heavy shade, under a dogwood tree, next to a pine. The other is close to our foundation in the back of the house. They both perform well and last throughout the season with dainty flowers in the spring. This is a variegated one. There are also varieties in different sizes and color combinations. One called 'Ruby Slippers' has beautiful dark red stems.

    Brunnera flowers

    Brunnera aka False Forget Me Knot

    I really love the blue flowers and the nice mounding habit that fills a space nicely in the garden. "Jack Frost' is a variety of Brunnera with beautiful frosted leaves and veining.

    Note: I have found this one to be somewhat invasive. But oh that rare blue color of the flowers makes it hard for me to get rid of.

    Leopard Plant

    Ligularia

    This is a variety with very dark leaves which I like and sometimes use in flower arrangements. It blooms in late summer when many of my other plants are fading, with bright golden flowers.

    Lamium golden archangel
    Perennials in container - Lamium 'Orchid Frost'

    Lamium aka Dead Nettle

    This is a ground cover that seems to grow anywhere. The gold flowered one was here when we bought the house. The second one I often buy for containers as it trails nicely and will bloom on my shady front porch. Lamium will actually over-winter for me in pots. This is another one that is said to be invasive in some parts of the country. However, I have not found this to be an issue for me.

    Epemedium flowers
    Epimedium foliage

    Epimedium aka Bishop's Hat

    This sweet perennial has pretty red-rimmed heart-shaped leaves. It blooms in the spring with small yellow flowers that are shaped like a bishop's hat. This one will grow well under trees and in dry shade. This is a basic one but more and more hybrids are being created every year with flowers not only in yellow but pink, red, and deep purple.

    Japanese Painted Fern

    Japanese Painted Fern

    This last one is more well-known but great for the shade. In fact, the Japanese painted fern was named Perennial Plant of the Year in 2004. It grows well even among the roots of our huge red maple. You can see it here enjoying the tight space with sweet woodruff.

    I hope you enjoyed this handy list and maybe now you'll have a few new shade loving perennial flowers to add to your shopping list. 

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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Janet Burke

      May 14, 2017 at 3:23 pm

      I live in Hamilton, Ontario and in this province, it is legal to take Trillium (our provincial flower) from the wild, as long as you dig up the root and all. Other than that, we find them at botanical gardens annual sales - in white, soft lavender, deep purple and deep yellow. I've never found them at nurseries.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        May 15, 2017 at 6:30 am

        Hi Janet,

        I'd say I'm making a trip to Ontario but I don't know if I'd get those beauties past customs. 😉
        Thanks for stopping by,
        Patti

        Reply
    2. Susan M.

      March 11, 2015 at 8:09 am

      I too have shady areas in my yard but still want pretty plants there (especially one's that bloom). I'll keep the plants you highlighted in mind. There are way more plants that do well in the shade other than hostas! I have a plant in my shady section that I love! A few years ago I purchased a few trilliums. They are pretty and remind me of walks in the forest. Please note that in most areas it may be illegal to transplant these from the wild. Make sure you purchase nursery grown! They seem to sell out fast though. If you see them in a catalog, grab them!

      Reply
      • Patti

        March 12, 2015 at 7:55 am

        Thanks Susan,

        Trillium grow here in woods all over in PA and are very pretty. I think you are right about them being illegal as least here. I have never seen them sold in local nurseries. Have a great time in London. I'm looking forward to hearing about your trip. My sister lived in Manchester for a short while and when we visited we made it down to London for two days. Not long enough. 🙂
        Patti

        Reply
    3. remade in Britain

      March 11, 2015 at 7:45 am

      Great color pallet. We have a similar problem with our front, it's north facing so also really cool Thanks for the tips will take your advice.

      Reply

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