10 Gorgeous Shade Plants That LOVE Shade

Last updated on May 29th, 2022 at 08:44 pm

It can be hard to figure out how to properly landscape areas of shade in your backyard. Finding plants that love shade can be tricky. Don’t worry, if your yard lacks sunlight, we’ve got you covered.

Fortunately, I’ve done all of the work for you! These ten shade plants would be perfect for your yard. These beauties will have you praying for some shade in your yard. Get ready to start planting!

Plants That Love Shade

1. Lenten Rose

Lenten Roses have the most incredible shape, form, and color. They bloom in late winter and early spring They grow around 12 inches tall and come in pinks, reds, whites, greens, yellows, and even black. The best part is that they need practically no sunshine at all.

2. Begonia

Begonias are perennials with vibrant colors that brighten your yard! Begonias hail from areas that are moist subtropical and or tropical climates. They come in every shade but blue. It is best for them to be in filtered shade and rich soil.

3. Sweet Woodruff

This is a perfect shade loving plant if you have a shady, difficult spot you want to cover. These white flowers will bloom in May and June. They are simple and smell absolutely incredible! With dark green leaves and clusters of white star-shaped flowers, this plant is fantastic for a darker, shady spot. And, it is a deer-resistant ground cover, and a rabbit-proof flowers. Sounds better and better, right?

4. Astilbe hybrids

Astilbe flowers are really feathery which gives them an air-like quality. They grow best in rich, moist soil and are perfect for shaded paths or pots. Their soft and almost feather-like plumes add such wonderful texture. Astilbes work well around foundations or mass plantings.

More Gorgeous Shade Plants That LOVE Shade

5. Wild Ginger

This plant has glossy, round like leaves and they love soil that is rich and moist. In most climates, they have an evergreen color and are known for their foliage. The flower in located at the base of the plant and lies adjacent to the ground. The flowers are bell-shaped. They spread slowly and are long-lived. Fun fact…. Native Americans use the wild ginger as a spice. However, scientific research has shown the plant may contain some poisonous elements so consumption of the plant is discouraged.

6. Autumn Fern

Some people think ferns are boring compared to the vibrant colors of some other shade plants, but these autumn ferns are amazing because they change colors with every season! Autumn ferns like LOTS of shade so you can even plant them under trees. They will make a beautifull addition to your garden. Looks great in shady borders.

7. Amethyst Flower

If you love blue flowers, then amethysts are perfect for your garden! They come in different shades of blue as well as violet and white. Their star-shaped petals are unique and they grow best in warm shade or filtered sunlight.

8. Endless Summer Hydrangea

Endless summer hydrangeas are great because you guessed it, they bloom all summer. They do best in partial to dappled shade. Imagine such stunning color through the spring and summer months. They grow 3-5 feet high and wide, and have 8-10 inch blooms!

9. Golden Japanese Forest Grass

This grass is perfect for a shady garden but make sure you look for “Aureola” or “Golden” in the name. These grasses love moist soil and will grow around 18 inches by 18 inches. A ornamental grass that is a slow-growing perennial, it is one of the rare grasses that thrives in shade. The lance-shaped, bright green leaves make this plant almost magical looking.

10. Coral Bells

Coral bells grow 12-24 inches wide and tall and they enjoy afternoon shade. They thrive most when they are moist. Their leaves come in red, purple, green, bronze, and even silver! The small bell-shaped flowers rest on a tall stem. Hummingbirds love them. You can also use them for cut flowers.

Shade gardens add so much beauty to a yard. Add a splash to your life with these plants that love shade.

For more shade garden ideas, check out my post on 8 stunning shade gardens!