What are some good shade plants?

[sammipher]

I am wanting to start a mini garden this year in my back yard..it doesnt get very much sun light..does anyone know some good shade plants that will do good in kind of dry weather?

 

[BeanMak]

hostas of all varieties do well in the shade. Bleeding Hearts don't need much sun. They are only around in the early spring though. Astilbe are pretty in the shade. You could also try different ferns as a back drop. Coral Bells do pretty good. And for a shot of color there is always impatients. (They need some watering though when it get gets really dry.)

 

[chilehed]

Dry shade is difficult, and it would help if you could do supplemental watering. If the shade is caused by dense deciduous trees and large shrubs, it would be good if you could limb them up and/or thin out the canopy to let more light in. You should always send a soil sample to your county extension office so you can make sure that the plants you get are compatible with your soil. You also need to remember that many plants are less tolerant of drought until they are established, which can take a year or two.



Here are some plants that may work, most of them prefer to have some moisture but may be worth a try. I’m not sure about how well they do in the south, so you should find a good nursery and ask questions. Remember, one measure of a true plantsman is the number of things he’s killed:

Shrubs:

skimmia japonica

kalmia latifolia (Mountain Laurel)

sarcococca hookeriana (Sweetbox)

leucothoe axillaris

gaultheria shallon

Peaonia delavayi (Tree Peony)



Perrenials:

dryopteris filix-mas

epimedium x perralchicum

euphorbia amygdaloides

dicentra species (Bleeding Heart)

digitalis purpurea (Foxglove)

geranium phaeum, g. pretense, g. macrorrhizum (Hardy Geraniums)

brunnera macrophylla

calamagrostis brachytricha (Foxtail Grass)

epimedium davidii, e. x rubrum, and e. x warleyense (Barrenwort)

gallium odoratum (Sweet Woodruff)

lamium maculatum (Spotted Deadnettle)

polygonatum odoratum

brunnera macrophylla (Siberian Bugloss)

 

[harrietvane]

primulas (primrose) are a very dainty colorful shade perennial...if you need small plants. Also lily of the valley would work. I don't know if you want all perennials or some shrubs or annuals. Azalea bushes are a great low maintenance shade shrub that can come in pretty tiny hybrids. Also, hardy pansies can do pretty decently in a shady spot...especially if you have hot summers (they like the shade better than hot sun). For annuals there are impatiens in almost any color, wax begonias, lobelia (gorgeous almost true blue!), johnny jump-ups. etc. Good luck! I plant some different annuals each year in my shade beds. They can completely change the look of the permanent plants in the garden

 

[jenptcfan]

I think that Hydrangeas do well in shade.

 

[garden_gal]

I think that begoinias work really well in the shade, especially in a hanging basket. They come in all sorts of different colors, many are varigated. Good luck!

 

[Rose of Sharon]

Most ground coverings work well in the shade.

 

[Rose of Sharon]

Also, Violas and hostas and lilys, like tiger lilys ,etc, they work well in the shade.