Many gardens have shady spots where sunlight barely reaches, such as under trees, beside fences, or tucked-away corners. These areas can feel tricky to plant, but there are plenty of beautiful plants that love low light. With the right choices, even the darkest parts of your garden can come to life with color, texture, and interest. Whether you are starting from scratch or looking to refresh a shaded bed, this guide will help you discover plants that grow happily out of the sun.
1. Hosta (Hosta spp.)
Hostas are one of the most popular plants for shaded areas. They are grown for their attractive foliage, which comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. From deep green to variegated white and green leaves, hostas can brighten up the darkest corners of your garden. They are hardy perennials that thrive in moist, well-drained soil. Hostas are also low-maintenance and spread gradually, creating a lush ground cover. While they rarely bloom, their flowers appear in summer on tall stalks and can attract pollinators.
2. Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra)
Japanese Forest Grass brings a graceful, flowing texture to shade gardens. Its arching blades form soft mounds that move gently with the wind. This ornamental grass prefers partial to full shade and does well in moist, well-draining soil. The golden or lime-green leaves can lighten up shady areas, making them feel more open and vibrant. It pairs well with bold foliage plants like hostas and ferns. Japanese Forest Grass grows slowly but is reliable and long-lasting.
3. Astilbe (Astilbe spp.)
Astilbe adds color and texture to shaded gardens with its feathery flower plumes and fern-like foliage. It blooms in shades of pink, white, red, and purple during late spring to summer. Astilbes enjoy rich, consistently moist soil and partial to full shade. They are deer-resistant and attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. These perennials look great in mass plantings or as part of a mixed border. Once established, they need little maintenance apart from watering during dry periods.
4. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)
Bleeding Heart is loved for its heart-shaped, pink and white flowers that dangle from arching stems in spring. This plant prefers cool, shaded areas and well-drained, fertile soil. Its delicate, fern-like leaves add to its charm, creating a romantic woodland feel. After blooming, the foliage may die back in summer, so it pairs well with later-blooming companions. Bleeding Heart is a long-lived perennial that thrives in the same spot for years with minimal care.
5. Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.)
Lungwort is a shade-loving plant known for its spotted leaves and early spring flowers. The blooms come in shades of pink, purple, or blue and often change color as they age. Lungwort grows well in moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. Its leaves add interest to the garden even after the flowers fade. This plant is disease-resistant and can handle cooler climates. It is ideal for woodland gardens and as a ground cover under trees.
6. Coral Bells (Heuchera spp.)
Coral Bells are valued for their colorful foliage, which ranges from deep purple to bright lime and everything in between. These perennials form tidy mounds and do well in partial shade, although some varieties can handle more sun. They produce small, bell-shaped flowers on tall stems in late spring to early summer. Coral Bells prefer well-drained soil and benefit from mulching to retain moisture. Their vibrant leaves make them a great choice for borders or container gardens.
7. Ferns (Various species, e.g., Dryopteris, Athyrium)
Ferns are classic shade plants that add elegance with their feathery, arching fronds. They thrive in rich, moist, and well-drained soil in shaded or partially shaded locations. Ferns come in many varieties, including the sturdy wood fern and the colorful Japanese painted fern. These plants are perfect for softening hard edges or filling in shady spots. Ferns are generally low-maintenance and do not require frequent fertilizing. Their timeless beauty works well in woodland and native gardens.
8. Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)
Foamflower is a charming native ground cover with delicate white or pink flower spikes that bloom in spring. Its heart-shaped leaves often have attractive markings that add visual interest throughout the year. Foamflower does best in partial to full shade and prefers moist, humus-rich soil. It spreads by runners but is not aggressive, making it easy to manage. Foamflower pairs beautifully with ferns and hostas and adds a natural look to shaded garden areas.
9. Brunnera (Brunnera macrophylla)
Brunnera, also called Siberian Bugloss, is prized for its heart-shaped, silvery-green leaves and small, forget-me-not-like blue flowers. It blooms in spring and keeps its attractive foliage well into fall. This plant enjoys cool, shady spots and moist, well-drained soil. Brunnera adds light and contrast to dark corners of the garden. It is deer-resistant and can be used as ground cover or an accent in borders and woodland areas. It performs best when protected from afternoon sun.
10. Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum spp.)
Solomon's Seal is a graceful perennial with arching stems and dangling, bell-shaped white flowers. It thrives in part to full shade and grows well in moist, well-drained soil. Its bright green leaves often turn yellow in fall, providing seasonal interest. Solomon's Seal spreads slowly by rhizomes, forming natural-looking drifts under trees or along paths. It is low-maintenance and resistant to most pests and diseases. The plant adds structure and elegance to shady gardens.
11. Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum)
Japanese Painted Fern is a standout for its striking fronds with silver, purple, and green tones. This fern adds color and texture to shaded spots and pairs well with other shade lovers like hostas. It grows best in moist, rich soil and partial to full shade. Japanese Painted Fern is easy to grow and does not spread aggressively. Its unique foliage provides a soft contrast in woodland or shade gardens. It is also deer-resistant and low-maintenance.
12. Lamium (Lamium maculatum)
Lamium, also known as spotted dead nettle, is a fast-growing ground cover that thrives in shaded areas. It has silver-patterned leaves and small, hooded flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white. Lamium prefers moist, well-drained soil but can handle short dry spells. It spreads quickly but is easy to control with trimming. This plant is ideal for underplanting trees or filling gaps between larger plants. Lamium is also deer-resistant and attracts pollinators.
13. Barrenwort (Epimedium spp.)
Barrenwort is a tough yet elegant plant with heart-shaped leaves and dainty spring flowers. It grows well in dry shade, making it useful under trees where other plants may struggle. The foliage often turns red or bronze in fall, adding seasonal color. Barrenwort spreads slowly and forms a tidy ground cover. It prefers well-drained soil and minimal disturbance. Its resilience and low maintenance needs make it a smart choice for challenging shady spots.
14. Canadian Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
Canadian Wild Ginger is a native ground cover with large, heart-shaped leaves that form a dense mat in shaded areas. It prefers rich, moist soil and full to partial shade. This plant produces small, hidden maroon flowers near the ground in spring. Wild Ginger is deer-resistant and helps suppress weeds under trees or shrubs. It spreads slowly by rhizomes, making it easy to manage. The foliage stays attractive throughout the growing season.
15. Toad Lily (Tricyrtis spp.)
Toad Lily is a unique shade plant known for its orchid-like flowers that bloom in late summer to fall. The blooms are often speckled and come in shades of purple, pink, and white. Toad Lily prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. Its upright stems and lance-shaped leaves add vertical interest to shady beds. This plant is perfect for adding late-season color when most others have finished blooming. It is also deer-resistant.
16. Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum)
Dead Nettle, properly known as Lamium maculatum in garden use, is a fast-growing ground cover with soft, fuzzy leaves and tiny purple, pink, or white flowers. It thrives in partial to full shade and tolerates a wide range of soils. Lamium maculatum grows quickly to cover bare spots but is easy to pull back if needed. It is helpful for erosion control under trees and along slopes. This plant is ideal for shady borders or woodland gardens and adds charm while helping keep weeds down.
17. Hellebore (Helleborus spp.)
Hellebores, also called Lenten Roses, are valued for their early blooms and evergreen foliage. They flower in late winter to early spring, often pushing through snow. The blooms come in a wide range of colors, including white, pink, green, and purple. Hellebores prefer partial to full shade and rich, well-drained soil. They are long-lived and deer-resistant. Hellebores work well in woodland gardens and shady borders, offering year-round interest.
18. Spotted Laurel (Aucuba japonica)
Spotted Laurel is an evergreen shrub with glossy, green leaves speckled with yellow. It grows well in deep shade where many other shrubs would fail. This plant prefers well-drained soil and tolerates dry shade once established. Spotted Laurel adds structure and color all year long. It is low-maintenance and can be pruned to shape as needed. The berries on female plants add winter interest if a male plant is nearby.
19. Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans)
Bugleweed is a low-growing ground cover with colorful leaves and bright blue flower spikes in spring. It grows quickly in partial to full shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Ajuga spreads by runners and fills in gaps between larger plants. Its foliage comes in green, purple, or bronze tones, adding year-round color. Bugleweed helps control erosion and suppress weeds, making it ideal for slopes or bare areas under trees.
20. Italian Arum (Arum italicum)
Italian Arum is a shade-tolerant plant with arrow-shaped leaves that appear in fall and stay through winter. In spring, it produces pale flowers followed by bright orange-red berries. This plant prefers well-drained soil and does best in partial to full shade. Italian Arum adds winter interest to shady gardens when most other plants are dormant. It spreads slowly by tubers and can naturalize in the right setting. Handle with care, as all parts are toxic if eaten.
21. Japanese Aralia (Fatsia japonica)
Japanese Aralia is a bold, tropical-looking shrub that grows well in full to partial shade. It has large, glossy, hand-shaped leaves that add drama to shaded areas. This evergreen plant prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil and some protection from harsh winds. Japanese Aralia can be grown in containers or in the ground and works well as a focal point. It is low-maintenance and rarely troubled by pests or diseases.
22. Leopard Plant (Ligularia spp.)
Leopard Plant is known for its large, round leaves and bright yellow flowers that appear in mid to late summer. It thrives in shady, damp spots with rich soil. Ligularia adds bold texture to gardens and contrasts nicely with fine-leaved plants like ferns. Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent wilting during hot days. It is deer-resistant and makes an eye-catching addition to any shady border or water-adjacent planting area.
23. Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)
Sweet Woodruff is a low-growing ground cover with whorled leaves and tiny white flowers that bloom in spring. It prefers moist, shaded areas and spreads quickly through runners. Sweet Woodruff has a pleasant scent, especially when dried, and is sometimes used in potpourri. This plant is ideal for planting under trees or along shady pathways. It requires minimal care once established and helps keep weeds at bay.
24. Piggyback Plant (Tolmiea menziesii)
The Piggyback Plant gets its name from the way new plants grow on top of mature leaves. It has soft, fuzzy foliage and small reddish flowers. This plant thrives in moist, shaded environments with rich soil. Piggyback Plants are commonly grown in containers or hanging baskets in shady spots. They add a playful touch to the garden and are easy to propagate. Regular watering keeps them healthy and full.
25. Dutchman’s Pipe (Aristolochia macrophylla)
Dutchman's Pipe is a vigorous vine with large, heart-shaped leaves that can cover trellises, arbors, or fences in shade. It prefers moist, well-drained soil and partial to full shade. The unusual pipe-shaped flowers appear in late spring but are often hidden beneath the foliage. This vine creates a lush, green screen in areas where sun-loving climbers would not thrive. It also supports the pipevine swallowtail butterfly as a host plant.
Bringing Shade to Life
With the right selection of plants, even the darkest parts of your garden can become a lush retreat full of color and texture. From flowering perennials to bold-leaved ground covers, shade-loving plants offer beauty and variety without needing direct sun. Whether you are planting under trees, near buildings, or in quiet corners, these choices give you the tools to design a garden that thrives in the shade and looks good all year round.