"There is something deeply satisfying about a garden that thrives in shade; it whispers where others shout." — Beverley Nichols
There are many gorgeous shade-loving perennials available with vibrant colors and rich textures for gardeners working with limited sunlight. If you're blessed with a canopy of trees, a north-facing yard, or structures that block the sun, a full shade garden can still be a lush and beautiful oasis!
Whether you're looking to brighten up a deep corner of the yard, line a shaded walkway, or fill in the space beneath large trees or structures, shade perennials offer long-lasting color, texture, and seasonal interest. From dense shade to dappled light, you'll find options to transform even the gloomiest areas into a magical retreat!
What Makes A Perennial Good For Full Shade?
Full shade is defined as 4 hours or less of direct sun per day, often consisting of filtered or dappled light throughout the day. Shade garden plants that thrive in this environment are naturally adapted to woodland or forest-floor habitats and offer stunning foliage, intriguing flowers, and even fragrance.
Full shade perennials are the stars of the dark side of the garden:
- Ideal perennials for under trees (both deciduous and evergreen trees)
- Thrive beside fences, buildings, or large shrubs
- Perfect for shaded patios, north-facing yards, or beneath decks
- Can tolerate deep shadow, and some even prefer it!
- Mix beautifully with full shade Shrubs
They create striking garden scenes along borders, winding shady paths, in containers, or nestled among water features and shade gardens. For those with dry shade, there are even drought-tolerant shade perennials that adapt once established.
Decorate the dappled shade beneath tree canopies, spruce up the shaded side of your home's foundation, or add greenery and flowers to shaded seating areas and patios!
Best Perennials For Shade (Full, Partial & Dense)
At Nature Hills Nursery, we carry a wide variety of shade-tolerant perennials suited to full shade, dense shade, and even partial shade conditions. Here are some top choices:
• Astilbe (Astilbe chinensis)
- Feathery plumes in shades of white, pink, red, and lavender
- Lacy foliage adds softness to shaded beds
- Attracts pollinators and is a great perennial for wet shade
- Perfect for woodland gardens and pond edges
• Ferns
- Classic texture plant with arching fronds and lush green color
- Great for mass plantings and woodland garden perennial landscapes
- Deer-resistant and low-maintenance
• Hosta (Hosta spp.)
- Broad, dramatic leaves in variegated and solid shades of green, blue, and gold
- Excellent for groundcover and edging shaded paths
- Loved for bold form and subtle, fragrant blooms
- Handles a wide variety of shade/sun, but also a great shade perennial for clay soil
• Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
- Colorful ruffled foliage in burgundy, chartreuse, peach, and more
- Tiny bell-shaped blooms attract hummingbirds
- Evergreen in warmer zones and great for containers
• Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.)
- Speckled foliage and delicate blue or pink flowers
- One of the earliest bloomers in spring
- Great for dense shade and moist woodland conditions
• Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
- Native woodland beauty with bell-shaped sky-blue blooms
- Spring ephemeral that dies back after blooming
- Politely spreads throughout the understory
- Pairs well with Ferns and Hostas
• Trillium
- Native spring-blooming wildflower
- Three-petaled flowers in white, pink, or red
- A must for native shade gardens and woodland areas
- Unique berry-like fruit in fall
• Lamium (Lamium maculatum)
- Fast-growing groundcover with silver-patterned leaves
- Soft flowers in pink, white, or lavender
- Excellent for partial shade and erosion control
- Try the White Nancy, Purple Dragon, Orchid Frost, Pink Chablis, Purple Chablis, and Ghost Lamium varieties to try!
• Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus)
- Tall, fluffy spires of white blooms
- Great substitute for Astilbe in deep shade
- Can reach 4 to 6 feet tall for background planting
- Try Misty Lace Dwarf Goatsbeard, or the Proven Winners® Chantilly Lace.
• Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla)
- Heart-shaped leaves, often variegated
- Tiny blue flowers resemble Forget-Me-Nots
- Thrives in moist, partial to full shade areas
- Emerald Mist, Looking Glass, Variegata, Alexander's Great, and Jack Frost are popular varieties at Nature Hills
• Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)
- Flowing tufts of bright green or golden arching blades
- Adds motion and contrast in shady beds or containers
- Slow-spreading and low-growing
- The brilliant chartreuse Sunflare™, All Gold, and Variegated Forest Grasses are vibrant options available.
• Variegated Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum')
- Arching stems with soft white bell-shaped flowers beneath variegated green-and-white foliage
- Elegant, fragrant, and deer-resistant
- Perfect for shady woodland borders and underplanting shrubs
• Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
- Iconic pink and white heart-shaped blooms dangle from arching stems in spring
- Soft, fern-like foliage disappears by midsummer
- Pairs beautifully with Ferns and Hostas in partial to full shade
- Try Luxuriant, Burning Hearts, Goldheart, Valentine®, and the Old Fashioned Bleeding Hearts.
• Samurai Toad Lily (Tricyrtis formosana 'Samurai')
- Spotted, orchid-like blooms appear in late summer to fall, offering exotic flair
- Prefers moist, well-drained soil and filtered light
- Adds surprise color and intrigue to shaded garden corners
• Chinese Wild Ginger (Asarum splendens)
- Glossy, heart-shaped foliage hugs the ground and hides unusual maroon flowers beneath
- Native groundcover that thrives in dense shade
- Ideal for erosion control and naturalizing in woodland settings
- Excellent for dense shade and erosion control.
• Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
- Spreads quickly with low rosettes of colorful foliage and short blue flower spikes in spring
- Evergreen in mild climates and thrives in shady groundcover roles
- Great for filling in gaps between stones or under trees
Must-Have Full Shade Vines and Groundcovers
Don't forget vertical interest! Try these twining climbers:
- Climbing Hydrangea: Tolerates deep shade, clings to walls or fences, and bursts into frothy white blooms
- English Ivy: Evergreen coverage and soil-stabilizing roots
- Sweet Autumn Clematis: Fragrant white flowers in late summer, thrives in dappled light and understories.
How To Choose Full Shade Perennials For Your Landscape
To find the best perennials for shade, start by:
- Observing the light throughout the day
- Understanding your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
- Testing your soil drainage and quality
- Knowing if you have dry shade, moist woodland soil, or clay-heavy soil
Use Nature Hills' filters to shop by zone, flower color, bloom time, mature size, and even wildlife benefit!
Caring For Full Shade Perennial Plants
Shade-loving perennials tend to be low-maintenance once established. Here's how to keep them thriving:
- Water regularly using the Finger Test, especially during their first season
- Amend the soil if needed, or plant in raised beds for drainage
- Use arborist mulch to help retain moisture and regulate temperature
- Fertilize lightly with a balanced, slow-release formula
- Deadhead blooms when needed to encourage fresh flushes
- Look for perennials that return year after year for lasting beauty
Low-Light Garden Perennials At Nature Hills Nursery!
Nature Hills Nursery is your one-stop source for shade-tolerant perennials and so much more. From colorful bloomers to structural foliage, our shade garden plants are shipped directly to your door with complete planting and care instructions. Explore our collection of perennials for dense shade, perennials for dry shade, and native perennials ideal for those darker corners.
Create a cool retreat, a woodland sanctuary, or a shade-drenched backyard haven that Ma Nature herself would applaud.
Happy Planting!
