favorite shade or part shade plants?

16 years ago

A lot of my yard- esp the front yard- seems to be quite shady most of the day, and I wondered what plants any of the members would recommend for this... I like flowers and all types of things.

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Comments (5)

hostaholic2 z 4, MN
16 years ago
We'll start out with a few that pop into my mind. I'm sure there will be many more forthcoming.
Hostas of course there is such a wide variety of sizes and colors to choose from. Love the bleeding hearts for spring color. Thalictrum rochebrunianum (sp)summer blooming and tall and stately. No blooms but ferns add great texture, especially love the Japanese painted ferns. Fritillaria is another fun spring bloomer. In sunnier areas at least half day, balloon flowers will do fairly well too, as well as some daylilies. You didn't say if you have high, open shade, filtered sun, sun for half of the day etc. as that will make a difference on the plants you can grow. Sun for half a day will give you more choices. If you are quite shady, annuals such as impatiens, begonias, or coleus can provide long term color.
thisismelissa
16 years ago
Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Tiarella (Foam Flower)
the cross: Heucherella (Foamy Bells)
Most of the time, these are grown for fabulous foliage colors.
Cimicifuga
Astilbe
Annabelle Hydrangea
Goatsbeard
Lily of the Valley

Annual Bulb: Caladium

Virginia Bluebells

I HIGHLY recommend books by Engebretson & Williamson.
Tree & Shrub Gardening in Minnesota and Wisconsin
and
Perennials for Minnesota and Wisconsin
I consider these absolute MUST HAVES for Minnesota gardeners
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doucanoe
16 years ago
I have mostly shade. All kinds of it! LOL

Here are some that I have had success growing in the shade.

Ligularia
Cimicifuga
Lady's Mantle
Pulmonaria
Astilbe
Bleeding Heart
Columbine
Goatsbeard
Chelone
Jack in the Pulpit
Eupatorium
Virginia Bluebell
Corydalis
Tiarella
Heuchera
Calla Lily
Jacob's Ladder
Hydrangea
Spiderwort
Foxgloves
Sedum

I'll try anything and have had luck with some sun-loving perennials as well.

Linda
kaptainkr
16 years ago
I second the Japanese painted ferns. The more the better.
mandolls
16 years ago
I have a 40 ft raised bed in the back under maple trees (morning sun, but mostly shady and root bound). May 1st and already blooming are Helabores, Virginia Bluebells, Bleeding heart, Sweet Woodruff, Forget Me Not, Trilium and Violets! (don't you love this early spring?) Also planted are Primrose Japonica, Ligulara, Ferns and Hostas of all types, Columbine, Hillside Black Beauties, Caladiums and variegated Lamium