12 Great Perennials for Shade

Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis)

Sometimes you get lucky and have pretty flowers and nice foliage on the same plant. Such is the case for Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis), which an early spring blooming evergreen perennial. The blooms on Lenten rose begin with a lovely bud that resembles a rosebud, which later open into a flower that provides an early source of pollen for bees. After the spring blooms fade, Lenten rose continues to add visual appeal through its leathery, deer-resistant dark-green leaves that retain their beauty throughout the year.  Lenten rose performs well when planted at the base of a deciduous tree. It receives shade while the tree is leafed out, but when the tree drops its leaves in the fall, the plant receives the sunshine it needs during the winter months.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
• Color Varieties: White, cream, purple, red, yellow, lavender, and pink
• Sun Exposure: Part to full shade; tolerates sun in winter months
• Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-draining

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)

The common bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis) is a well-known classic, but other types of Dicentra are worth planting in your landscaping:

• Dutchman's breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)
• Fringed bleeding hearts (Dicentra eximia)

If you are seeking attractive foliage to go along with the interesting blooms, fringed bleeding hearts are a great choice. But D. spectabilis 'Gold Heart' may turn the most heads with its bright golden leaf color.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
• Color Varieties: Pink, white, and white, with cultivar variations
• Sun Exposure: Full shade to part shade; tolerates some sun
• Soil Needs: Fertile and well-drained

Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)

Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) is sure to inspire you if you like plants that are a bit out of the ordinary. It is a woodland plant in many areas of North America, so it is a no-brainer for woodland gardens. This perennial for shade certainly is not grown for its flowers. But Jack-in-the-pulpit rewards those willing to forgive its lack of showy flowers with a brightly-colored bunch of red berries.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
• Color Varieties: Greenish-purple
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade to full shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, humusy

Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)

Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) is a deciduous shrubby groundcover native to North America. It is in the same genus as the dogwood trees, but do not let that fool you. This is a tiny plant, essentially a flowering groundcover. As the name implies, it also features bright red berries in fall. 

Bunchberry is ideal for dappled shade and works well in naturalized areas and along shaded walkways. 

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 6
• Color Varieties: Yellow-green
• Sun Exposure: Shade
• Soil Needs: Moist acidic soil

Spotted Deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)

Although the name deadnettle might bring to mind other types of weedy nettles that cause skin irritation, spotted dead nettle (Lamium maculatum) is actually a very nice landscape plant that offers color both through its foliage and its flowers. The popular cultivar, L. maculatum 'Purple Dragon', has vibrant purple blooms. 

Like other plants with silver foliage, this ground cover can help brighten shady areas and make them seem less gloomy. Be aware that deadnettle can spread aggressively, so plant it only in an area where you seek a true groundcover. There are several other types of dead nettle similar to 'Purple Dragon' dead nettle, but avoid Lamium galeobdolon (also known as yellow archangel or golden dead nettle). It is a lovely plant but tends to be invasive.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
• Color Varieties: Mauve, pink, purple, or white, depending on cultivar
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, with average moisture and fertility needs

Hosta (Hosta)

Hosta is an obvious choice as one of the best perennials for shade, if you can appreciate the beauty that foliage plants bring to your landscape. The list of hosta cultivars that can serve both as specimen plants and groundcovers for shady areas is practically endless. One type of hosta recommended to dress up a shady spot is hosta 'Halcyon'.

Although hostas are known as shade plants, there are some exceptions. Cultivars with golden leaves, for example, need some sunlight to achieve their splendid color. 

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 through 8 depending on the variety
• Color Varieties: Pale yellow to deep blue-green foliage; white or lavender blooms
• Sun Exposure: Full to partial shade depending on variety
• Soil Needs: Moist soil

Leopard Plant (Ligularia)

Some kinds of Ligularia have spots, thus the common name, leopard plant. L. dentata "Britt-Marie Crawford" does not have those spots, but it has plenty else to purr about. It sports big, pretty leaves with tooth-like edges, and it has the most interesting golden yellow flowers.

This perennial is versatile. While it is grouped with other shade perennials, it can tolerate some sunlight if it receives plenty of water. It can  be grown in spots that are too wet for many other plants. 'Britt-Marie Crawford' has stunning tcark eal-green foliage with dark purple undersides. and provides an uncommon landscape design option.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 through 8
• Color Varieties: Golden yellow-orange
• Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade
• Soil Needs: Organically rich soil that stays moist

Columbine (Aquilegia)

Columbine (Aquiligia) comes in many flower colors. Varieties with brightly-colored blooms might be the best choice for shaded spots, where they bring cheer to otherwise dark areas. Generally speaking, the unique shape of columbine is what makes them so special.

This perennial for shade also has unusual clover-like foliage (variegated in some cultivars), especially early in the growing season. Leafminer insects can damage the leaves, but some gardeners find the meandering mining tunnels on the leaves to be attractive. Do not confuse Aquilegia with columbine meadow rue (Thalictrum aquilegifolium), which is another good perennial for shade.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
• Color Varieties: Red, yellow, white, blue, pink, salmon, or purple
• Sun Exposure: Partial shade
• Soil Needs: Well-drained soil amended with compost

Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum)

Jacob's ladder (Polemonium caeruleum) is another good example of a plant with a fine texture that can create contrast with other plants. The common name Jacob's ladder is a reference to the ladder-like arrangement of the foliage leaves.

The delicate texture of Jacob's ladder works well when juxtaposed against the coarser texture of hosta or ligularia. Coarse-leafed elephant ear can also serve as a dramatic contrast to the fine texture of Jacob's ladder.  

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
• Color Varieties: Mostly blue and purple; white, pink, and yellow cultivars also available
• Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)

The leaves of North American native Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica), like those of Dutchman's breeches, disappear by midsummer when this perennial enters a period of dormancy. Most consider this an acceptable price to pay because the flowers of this spring bloomer make it worthwhile. Its flowers start out pink-lavender but later change to deep blue.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
• Color Varieties: Pink-lavender changing to deep blue
• Sun Exposure: Part to full shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, rich, well-drained soil

Rogers Flower (Rodgersia)

Rogers flower does bear blooms, but it is valued more for its big, pretty leaves. Some types (such as R. aesculifolia) have leaves like those on a horse chestnut tree (Aesculus). Like leopard plant, this one grows well in damp areas that are not completely waterlogged. It can grow fairly well in the sun if the soil is moist and rich in humus.  

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 7
• Color Varieties: Creamy white or light pink
• Sun Exposure: Full to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Moist and rich in humus

Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)

Even more so than Rogers flower, Japanese forest grass (also known as Hakone grass) is grown for its value as a foliage plant. You can choose from various cultivars, depending on the look that you want to achieve. For example, the 'Naomi'  cultivar often has more red color in its leaf blades than 'Aureola' , which has a vibrant golden color.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9
• Color Varieties: Depends on variety: golden, variegated creamy yellow, bright green
• Sun Exposure: Shade
• Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained; slightly acidic