All gardeners with shady gardens can agree on one thing: finding plants that thrive without sunlight throughout the day is a real struggle!
I’ve spent years trying to add some brightness to my shady spots, and I’ve definitely had my fair share of garden fails (poor plants couldn’t stand the darkness). But I just kept on trying to grow different types of plants and my garden is now filled with colorful flowers!
Yes, that’s right – there are certain flowering plants that love the shade just as much as the sun!
If you also want to make your shady corners pop with color, keep on reading as I am about to share my favorite shade-loving flowers!
1. Astilbe’s Plume-Like Flowers Are A Must-Have In Shady Gardens
Astilbe (aka false goat’s beard) is a shade-loving plant with feathery leaves and cheerful plume-like flowers in colors like pink, white, and red. Astilbe is definitely the type of plant you need to grow in your shady garden.
Related: Should You Prune Your Astilbe In The Fall Or Is It Better To Wait Until Late Winter?
2. Primrose Is A Low-Maintenance Beauty That Can Thrive In Shade
Primrose plants are perfect for a low-maintenance garden. They bloom from spring to summer and thrive in shade with well-moisturized soil. With a rainbow of colors, they’ll make any space look more happy and lively!
Related: How To Plant And Grow Primrose Flowers
3. Make Your Garden Brighter With Alpine Forget-Me-Nots
Make your garden brighter with a bunch of tiny blue alpine forget-me-nots! These plants love dry shade and tree cover, and they need little care to grow. They’ll even do well in the sun (if you have a spot that is both in sun and shade).
4. Solomon’s Seal Is Perfect For Shady Borders
Solomon’s seal is a beautiful plant with arching stems, clusters of white tubular flowers, and bright green leaves. It thrives in shade and moisture but can handle drought and sunlight too, which makes it a great choice for beginners!
Related: Transform The Shaded Part Of Your Garden Into A Colorful Oasis With These 22 Native Plants
5. Lungwort Is Known As A Shade-Loving Miracle
Lungwort is also known as a “shade-loving miracle” and I couldn’t agree more! With its dark green, silver-spotted leaves and colorful spring flowers, it makes an amazing ground cover for any garden.
6. Cowslip Will Brighten Your Shaded Garden With A Carpet Of Yellow Flowers
Who needs sunshine when you can have a carpet of yellow or red flowers with green crinkled leaves? Cowslips bring loads of color to shady spots and even multiply every year!
7. Fuchsia Can Bring Colors And Hummingbirds To Your Yard
Fuchsias feature lively colors and attract hummingbirds with their unique, intricate blooms! Perfect for partial to full shade, they’ll bloom all summer long – just keep them warm since they can’t handle the cold!
Related: Growing Fuchsias In Pots For Bright, Long-Lasting Blooms
8. Lady’s Mantle Is A Long-Lasting Beauty
Lady’s mantle is a great choice for shady gardens, with its scalloped grayish-green leaves and gorgeous flowers. It’s low-maintenance, long-lasting, and even holds rainwater on its leaves (how cool is that?).
9. Jacob’s Ladder Can Handle Both Sun And Shade
These bell-shaped purple perennials thrive in both shade and sun, which makes them a versatile addition to any garden. For the best blooms, I would recommend mulching with shredded leaves (this will make them feel at home).
10. Grecian Windflower Is Ideal For Adding A Festive Touch
The Grecian windflower is also called the winter windflower or blue shades. It belongs to the buttercup family, which are generally easy to grow. Thriving in partial shade or full sun, this plant is ideal for adding a festive touch with its purple and blue, daisy-like flowers.
11. Violas’ Blooms WIll Keep Your Garden Thriving All Season Long
Violas produce heart-shaped leaves and colorful five-petaled flowers that bloom best in the cooler months. These plants are great for adding color to your garden from the start to the end of the season. Plus, they’re edible so you can use them in salads, cakes, or even cold drinks!
Related: 24 Plants To Keep Your Garden Vibrant And Lively During Winter
12. Tuberous Begonias Thrive Where Most Plant Can’t Even Grow
Tuberous begonias bloom in shades of red, orange, and yellow, and are perfect for growing in shaded gardens. They can grow in dappled sunlight, where most other plants become leggy and sad.
Related: 4 Must-Do Steps To Overwinter Your Tuberous Begonias For Attractive Blooms Throughout The Summer
13. Lily Of The Valley Will Make Your Garden Look And Smell Amazing
Lily of the valley is admired for its sweet fragrance and adorable bell-shaped flowers. This plant will light up those shady corners of your yard in late spring and early summer, making your garden look and smell dreamy!
Shade gardeners, take note! These are some fantastic options to brighten up your shaded spots. I love watching these blooms thrive in the darker corners of my garden – you should give them a try too!
Related: Grow Lily Of The Valley This Way And Get More Fragrant Blooms