Perennial flowers that grow in the shade really shine in fully or partial shaded places. These special plants fill the dark and barren spaces in our landscapes with lush foliage and pretty flowers. Shade-loving plants not only beautify these shaded areas, their root systems help prevent soil erosion. Some perennial flowers that grow in the shade even attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Interesting Foliage for Shaded Rock Gardens
Rock gardens in full or partial shade are just the right place for violets and toadlilies. The fanleaf violet (Viola) “Dancing Geisha” has unusual, variegated, maple-shaped foliage and produces petite, white or pale blue flowers in mid to late spring. It grows 6 to 8 inches tall in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5 through 9. The gold-leaved toadlily (Tricyrtis formosana) “Gilty Pleasure” bears small star-shaped, mauve-pink flowers speckled with darker spots all fall. It grows 21 to 23 inches tall in USDA zones 4 through 9. Other shade-loving perennial flowers with interesting foliage include the creeping foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) “Running Tapestry” and the foamflower (Tiarella) “Sugar and Spice.”
Attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds
These shade-loving, flowering perennials attract butterflies or hummingbirds. The variety of chocolate boneset (Eupatorium rugosum) “Chocolate” has bronze-brown foliage that gradually turns green by the end of the growing season. It grows 35 to 47 inches tall in USDA zones 5 through 9 and bears white fuzzy flowers in late summer to mid-fall that attract butterflies The huge hosta “Empress Wu” has leaves up to 18 inches wide and grows 35 to 47 inches tall by 59 to 70 inches wide in USDA zones 2 through 9. It has reddish-violet flowers in midsummer that attract hummingbirds. Other flowering perennials that attract butterflies and hummingbirds include the Japanese dead nettle “Silver Sprinter” and the fancy-leaf coral bells varieties “Ginger Ale” and “Frosted Violet.”
Resists Deer and Rabbits
Deer and rabbits definitely won’t snack on these shade-loving flowering perennials. Giant Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum commutatum) has arching spikes 35 to 47 inches tall covered with white flowers from late spring to early summer and grows in USDA zones 3 through 9. American barrenwort (Vancouveria hexandra) is native to the Pacific Northwest into Northern California and grows in USDA zones 4 through 9. This evergreen displays small white flowers in late spring to early summer and grows 8 to 10 inches tall. Varieties of periwinkle (Vinca minor) including “Dart’s Blue” and “Double Bowles" bear blue flowers and also love shade.
Blossoms in Early Spring
Blossoms in early spring are a sure sign warmer weather is on the way. Bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis) is native to North America and bursts into bloom with small white flowers featuring yellow eyes from early to mid-spring. It grows 4 to 6 inches tall in USDA zones 3 through 9. Lungworts (Pulmonaria saccharata) love the shade, and the variety “Mrs. Moon” produces light pink buds that erupt into clusters of medium-sized, light blue flowers all spring long. This evergreen grows 10 to 12 inches tall in USDA zones 2 through 9. Other shade-loving perennials for early spring include varieties of forget-me-nots (Myosotis sylvatica) and Christmas roses (Helleborus niger).
Your Planting Articles
- Perennials.com: Polygonatum Commutatum
- Perennials.com: Vancouveria Hexandra
- Perennials.com: Full Shade, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant
- Perennials.com: Eupatorium rugosum "Chocolate"
- Perennials.com: Hosta "Empress Wu"
- Perennials.com: Full Shade, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Butterflies
- Perennials.com: Viola "Dancing Geisha"
- Perennials.com: Tricyrtis formosana "Gilty Pleasure"
- Perennials.com: Full Shade, Alpine and Rock Garden
- Perennials.com: Sanguinaria Canadensis