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    Home » Gardening

    11 Perennial Shade Plants with Beautiful Foliage

    by Patti Estep · Mar 25, 2019

    Learn about 11 different perennial shade plants that look great even if they are not in flower due to their interesting foliage.

    collage of shade loving perennial plants

    If you are a flower lover but your yard is full of shade then consider some of the many beautiful perennial plants with colorful foliage. Shade loving plants don't have to be boring and some of them even flower. Typically, the flowers are not significant.

     

    11 Perennial Shade Plants with Interesting Foliage

    Epimedium under tree in spring - Perennial shade plants

    Bishop’s Hat - Epimedium × versicolor 'Sulphureum'

    Zone: 5 to 9

    Height: 0.75 to 1.00 feet

    Spread: 0.75 to 1.50 feet

    Bloom Time: April

    Sun: Part shade to full shade

    One of the first signs of spring with pretty little yellow flowers. This pretty perennial grows well under our dogwood tree and turns a beautiful shade of red in the fall.

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    Coral bells Lime Marmalade - Perennial shade plants

    Coral Bells - Heuchera ‘Lime Marmalade’

    Zone: 4 to 8

    Height: 0.75 to 1.50 feet

    Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet

    Bloom Time: May to July

    Sun: Full sun to part shade

    I love this bright green color and the nice way it keeps its mounding shape. There are many, many different varieties of this perennial with really interesting leaf colors from very dark, almost black,  and some with interesting striping worth consideration.

     
    Dead nettle Orchid Frost - Perennial shade plants

    Dead Nettle - Lamium maculatum ‘Orchid Frost’

    Zone: 4 to 8

    Height: 0.25 to 0.75 feet

    Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet

    Bloom Time: May to July

    Sun: Part shade to full shade

    This guy is often found in nurseries with the annuals even though it is a great perennial for the shade. Both the leaves and flowers are worthy and I almost always use it in my pots because of its wonderful trailing shape.

     
    Foam flower - Perennial shade plants

    Foam Flower - Tiarella cordifolia

    Zone: 4 to 9

    Height: 0.75 to 1.00 feet

    Spread: 1.00 to 2.00 feet

    Bloom Time: May

    Sun: Part shade to full shade

    A good one for a very shady spot. Pretty delicate flowers in the spring. I love the compact form and leaf shape. This shade lover also comes in varieties with deep red centers like Tiarella 'Jade Peacock' or Tiarella 'Fingerpaint'.

    Hardy Begonia - Perennial shade plants

    Hardy Begonia - Begonia grandis

    Zone: 6 to 7

    Height: 1.50 to 2.00 feet

    Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet

    Bloom Time: July to October

    Sun: Part shade to full shade

    This hardy begonia grows well in the shade and self-seeds for more plants each year. The pretty pink flowers appear late in the season when most of the flowering plants are done. However, I love the heart shaped leaves with their dark red veins that are around all season long.

    Blue hosta - Perennial shade plants

    Hosta - 'Frances Williams'

    Zone: 3 to 8

    Height: 1.50 to 2.00 feet

    Spread: 4.00 to 5.00 feet

    Bloom Time: June to July

    Sun: Part shade to full shade

    A pretty hosta which of course is a great shade loving perennial. I love the blue color. It's easy to grow in the shade and you can divide it for more to plant elsewhere or give to a friend. I like to divide them when they are just starting to show in the spring.

     
    Japanese painted fern - Perennial shade plants

    Japanese Painted Fern - Athyrium niponicum var. Pictum

    Zone: 3 to 8

    Height: 1.00 to 1.50 feet

    Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet

    Bloom Time: Non-flowering

    Bloom Description: Non-flowering

    Sun: Part shade to full shade

    Japanese painted ferns do not flower but they are so pretty and grow great under trees or other shady spots in the garden.

    Leopard Plant - Perennial shade plants

    Leopard Plant - Ligularia 'Britt Marie Crawford'

    Zone: 4 to 8

    Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet

    Spread: 1.50 to 2.00 feet

    Bloom Time: June to July

    Sun: Part shade to full shade

    Ligularia is a great choice for shade if you want something a little taller. The shape and color add great texture and you are also rewarded with pretty yellow flowers late in the season.

    Lungwort Raspberry Splash - Perennial shade plants

    Lungwort - Pulmonaria ‘Raspberry Splash’

    Zone: 4 to 9

    Height: 0.75 to 1.00 feet

    Spread: 1.00 to 1.50 feet

    Bloom Time: April

    Sun: Part shade to full shade

    Lungwort flowers are so pretty in the spring. However, they also have interesting foliage for you to enjoy in your shade garden all season long.

     
    Hardy Geranium pratense 'Okey Dokey' - Perennial shade plants

    Meadow Cranesbill - Geranium pratense ‘Okey Dokey’

    Zone: 4 to 8

    Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet

    Spread: 2.00 to 3.00 feet

    Bloom Time: June to July

    Sun: Full sun to part shade

    Not to be confused with your grandmother's geraniums, this hardy geranium is a perennial. I have so many of these Cranesbill perennials, which seem to grow well in many different conditions. This one called Okey Dokey also has beautiful foliage so you can enjoy it even when it's not in flower.

    Variegated Solomon's Seal - Perennial shade plants

    Solomon’s Seal - Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum 'Variegatum'

    Zone: 3 to 8

    Height: 2.00 to 3.00 feet

    Spread: 0.75 to 1.00 feet

    Bloom Time: April to May

    Bloom Description: White

    Sun: Part shade to full shade

    Last but not least is Solomon's Seal. I do adore the sweet blooms but the arching stems and general architecture of this plant is gorgeous in the garden. Easy to grow in the shade, even under trees.

    I hope you will consider using some of these perennials for their pretty foliage in shady parts of your garden. Most of them do have pretty flowers at some point, but their colorful foliage offers interest during the entire season.

    Patti signature
     

    P.S. You may also like my post on Favorite Shade Loving Plants for a Container or my post about Deer Resistant Plants. See these and many others on the Gardening Page.

    Click Here to Save to Pinterest!

    Hardy Begonia grandis - perennial shade plants
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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. Shirley Melges

      March 27, 2019 at 7:16 pm

      Thank you for such a comprehensive list of shade plants. I like that they aren't just for warm weather climates. I hope that I might find some of these at my local nursery's.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 28, 2019 at 9:09 am

        I hope you find what you are looking for Shirley. Usually, a nursery will carry plants that will work in your area. There's always the online option.

        Reply
    2. MrsSW

      March 25, 2019 at 5:14 pm

      Great list, Patti, thank you.

      Sheila

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 25, 2019 at 5:24 pm

        You are so welcome Sheila.

        Reply
    3. Paula Harris

      March 25, 2019 at 9:29 am

      Patti, I love hostas but I seem to have a rabbit that also likes them. Any pointers for keeping them safe and healthy from the rabbits. Thanks for sharing all your info. Love it and it is helping me get my yard together.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 25, 2019 at 9:54 am

        Paula, rabbits, and deer both love hosta. The only tip I have is using something like Liquid Fence. But, you have to apply it every time it rains which can be a hassle. However, I found this to work for us when we were planning a big spring party. I just went out every few days and sprayed or after a rainstorm. It kept the rabbits and deer away for that time period. If rabbits are the only problem you could consider tall containers, raised beds or fencing.

        Reply
        • Paula Harris

          March 25, 2019 at 4:42 pm

          Thank you Patti for such a quick reply. I will definitely look for this and give it a try.

    4. Jody

      March 25, 2019 at 7:18 am

      Well I did not Hostas could grow in the shade. All strains of hostas? Because my favorites are hostas and chicks and hens and what we call wood roses. Just found out my husband was reuped in Syria and was done in August last year. I guess I can stop waiting for the knock on the door. Says May now. I asked if this was Trump pulling them out he said yes. But the house with the great yard will probably get sold before he gets here. Your info has helped me so very much. Whatever property we get I can put everything I learned to use.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 25, 2019 at 7:38 am

        Jody, hostas are perfect for shade. I believe the blue varieties (my favorite) do best in shade and some of the lighter ones prefer a bit more sun. Still, if they are getting a few hours of sun in the morning they all should thrive. Prayers for your husband's safe return. Definitely take some of your plants with you to your new home.

        Reply

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