Shade Garden Inspiration

You may remember that our new house faces north. I know I will love having a south facing back yard, but it poses some challenges for gardening in the front. The beds right up against the house get very little sunlight so I have been researching plants that grow in shade. I want lush foliage and color, not just puny plants that are hanging on for dear life, reaching for the rays. I need something that will really grow and flourish there.

I think most people have a shady spot in the garden, whether it's under the canopy of shade trees or in the shadow of the house or other structures. I hope I can give you some ideas to make those areas spectacular! Each of the selections listed does well in shade or part sun and prefers moist soil, and they are perennials unless I specify otherwise. I know I am going to be on the lookout for these beauties every chance I get!

Many of the following pictures are from the Better Homes and Gardens Plant Encyclopedia. It is a great online resource and might just save you from buying some garden books. The other pictures are from my archives at the Noni gardens.

No shade garden is complete without the queen of shade herself... hostas! I already planted one hosta in my shade bed, but I am on the lookout for more varieties like this variegated one above. In the summer many hostas send up tall, graceful shoots with purple flowers.

I also planted a few of these beautiful Bleeding Hearts. They are a must-have for me because they remind me of home. These only bloom for about a month in the spring, but the show is worth it! The foliage wilts in the heat and can be cut back to the ground.

Astilbe or False Spirea are show stoppers! Check out those vibrant plumes! I can't wait to get my hands on some of these.

Brunnera or False-Forget-Me-Not are so lacy and delicate. I love the periwinkle blue color. These are definitely one of my favorite.

Corydalis is an impressive hue for a shade perennial. I am not very familiar with this one but love the burst of yellow.

Hellebore is also known as the Christmas Rose. The flowers last all summer and are very hardy and supposedly easy to grow.

In the Noni shade gardens I was always enthralled by the color spectrum of Japanese Painted Fern, from their deep purple spines to green and silvery leaves. They also offer such interesting texture for a shade garden.

Monkshood spires are reminiscent of foxglove or delphinium. The purple flowers bloom in the late summer, making these perfect for a last splash of color.

Pulmonaria or Bethlehem Sage is a beautiful low-growing ground cover. I love the bi-color leaves and the flowers ranging from magenta to deep purple.

Lamium or dead nettle is also a ground-cover, with small spires of flowers that come in white or pink.

I have never seen this one personally but I love the showy flowers of Japanese Toad Lilies. They almost look like orchids they are so delicate and perfect.


If you still need a seasonal pop of color for your shade beds, here are some annual ideas.

Begonias are actually perennial tubers in warmer climates, but here in Utah they have to be planted annually. They come in many colors and single and double blooms.

One of my favorite summer annuals is Coleus. They have inconspicuous blooms but their foliage is gorgeous! They come in an impressive array of colors and varieties.



Last but not least, every shade garden should have impatiens. These are a great staple and also come in many colors ranging from red to pink to white.

Well folks, that's all for now... I'm off for a weekend of work outside!