The Ultimate Guide to Shade Perennials

Shade perennials are some of the most beautiful plants that can grace any garden. This guide discusses how to plant, care for, and combine different shade perennials. The last section of this guide describes some common diseases that affect shade perennials and offers steps for preventing and curing these diseases.

There are many different types of shade perennials. However, pink Trillium and Solomon's Seal are the most popular and easiest to grow. These two varieties are usually found at local nurseries or home improvement stores like Lowes or Home Depot.

Pink Trillium is a highly easy-to-grow shade perennial. However, it spreads quickly, so one must not plant it too close to the house or other structures. Some people place limestone at the bottom of the hole before planting Pink Trillium to increase drainage and discourage rot. To grow this shade perennial successfully, plant it in areas that receive some sunlight (but still mostly shade).

Solomon's Seal is effortless to care for and cannot be killed by overwatering. It thrives in shady areas and can completely cover itself with lush greenery and white flowers.

Several combinations can result from planting two or more shade perennials nearby. Virginia Bluebell and Lily of the Valley do great with these, too.

Many different diseases can affect perennials. The most common include root rot, powdery mildew, leaf spot, blight, and rust. Infections are generally caused by fungus or bacteria, easily cured through fungicide or pesticide treatments. To avoid disease issues, plant in well-drained soil and avoid areas where water collects.

Most Shade Perennials are susceptible to leaf spots, rust, blight, or powdery mildew. Again, prevention is critical in safeguarding against these diseases. Once the plants become infected, they will die if not treated immediately. To treat these problems, remove all dead or dying foliage.

Red Trillium - TN Nursery

Red Trillium

Red Trillium is a highly fragrant woody perennial plant with three maroon or deep scarlet petals typically found in eastern North America. Its appearance adds a splash of color to forest floors in the spring. This captivating perennial plant is native to North America and offers many benefits when incorporated into landscaping designs.   It is a short, flowering plant that is an attractive addition to any landscape. It features broad clusters of leaves, small flowers, and several narrow stalks that fan out from a central root system. It can get up to a foot tall and 18 inches wide. This petite plant is a charming flower to feature in flower beds or decorative borders. The appealing texture of its leaves creates a pleasant backdrop for other small flowers, or landscapers can use thick clusters of this plant to fill in space between larger shrubs. The Gorgeous Leaves of Red Trillium Each leaf can reach around six inches in width. They have a teardrop shape, broad, rounded base, and delicately pointed tip. Leaves are usually a medium kelly green with hints of olive or yellow. Pronounced veins run along the entire leaf, giving your garden plenty of texture. This plant's attractive leaves grow in groups of three. Each upright stalk has three leaves that stretch out horizontally from the center. Red Trillium Has a Long Blooming Season Red Trillium has gorgeous flowers that appear each spring. The dark, burgundy flowers have three long, teardrop-shaped petals surrounding a cluster of white stamens in the center. Each flower is backed by three decorative bracts that peek out between each petal. These specialized leaves are typically olive green with a thin line of burgundy around their edge. Usually, one flower appears on each plant stalk, so the typical cluster of leaves can have around three to eight flowers. Red Trillium Bloom Time The flowers of Red Trillium start appearing in March and can last until June so that gardeners can enjoy the lovely blossoms for months. Once the flowers fall off the plant, trim, reddish fruit begins to grow in their place. These glossy orbs continue to add visual interest to the plant throughout the summer. As temperatures drop, leaves turn a pleasant yellow shade. They then go dormant over winter before sending out fresh, green shoots again in the early spring.

Regular price From $9.99
Regular price Sale price From $9.99
Unit price  per 
Solomon's Seal Plant - TN Nursery

Solomon's Seal Plant

Solomon's Seal Plant is a graceful woodland perennial plant known for its arching stems, dangling pairs of bell-shaped flowers, and distinctive, alternate leaves, making it a charming addition to shaded gardens. They offer a range of benefits when incorporated into landscaping projects, contributing to outdoor spaces' natural charm, versatility, and ecological value. With its distinctive arching stems, elegant foliage, and adaptability, this plant brings unique qualities that enhance various aspects of landscape design. Solomon's Seal Plant, also known as Polygonatum biflorum, is an herbaceous perennial with three distinct color stages: greenish-white, blue, and gold. Its green leaves comprise most of its total size. The Solomon's Seal Plant Color Stages When this perennial initially springs to life each May, it has small, greenish-white flowers. Thanks to its arching stems, each flower hangs down. Later in the summer, blueberries appear. Finally, once it's autumn, the leaves turn a spectacular gold. Although the entire flower is beautiful, the flowering stage is revered and has recently become a favorite in the floral world. This Solomon's Seal Plant's Growth It can reach up to four feet tall, which provides collectors with plenty of its dainty, greenish-white flowers. Due to their uniqueness, these specialty cut flowers are always in high demand. Whether you enjoy brightening up your home occasionally or regularly, you can't go wrong with this plant! Solomon's Seal Plant's Uses Although it grows naturally in forests, it is also explicitly planted for the floral industry. These perennials and their unusual appearance have quickly become highly desired. They've been used in various floral arrangements, including unique wedding bouquets. Between their stunning appearance and fragrant scent, which mimics lilacs, this flower deserves your attention! What does the name of these flowers symbolize? Unfortunately, there is no conclusive answer. However, one theory is that the flat, round stalk scars on its rhizomes were once believed to look like the ancient symbol of King Solomon. Nowadays, people are typically drawn to its dangling, greenish-white flowers and graceful arching stems. As a bonus, they can add an unusual structural appearance to any shade garden. Solomon's Seal Plant fits the bill if you're looking for a unique flower to give someone! It also has just the look you need if you're planning to build a shade garden. Either way, this perennial won't soon be forgotten!

Regular price From $9.99
Regular price Sale price From $9.99
Unit price  per 
Virginia Bluebell - TN Nursery

Virginia Bluebell

Virginia Bluebell is a spring-blooming wildflower native to the United States recognized for its delicate, bell-shaped, sky-blue flowers forming clusters and carpeting the forest floor in early spring. It is a captivating perennial plant that offers numerous benefits when incorporated into landscaping designs. Its enchanting appearance and adaptability have made it a favorite among gardeners and landscapers. Virginia Bluebell produces Sky sky-blue bell-shaped flowers These flowers start as shades of pink and gradually transition to a soothing sky-blue hue, creating a stunning gradient effect that adds a touch of elegance to any landscape. The lush green foliage further complements the vibrant blooms, enhancing the overall visual impact. Besides its visual appeal, it is positively adjustable to various soil types, making it a perfect option for landscaping projects in multiple environments. Its preference for partially shaded to fully shaded areas makes it ideal for underplanting trees or placing them along the edges of woodland gardens. This versatility allows landscapers to create visually appealing designs catering to light conditions. Another benefit of incorporating them is their role in supporting local ecosystems. These plants are attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies, making them valuable contributors to biodiversity. By attracting these pollinators, they aid in reproducing nearby plants and promote a healthier ecosystem within the landscape. They also require little maintenance, making them appealing to amateur and experienced gardeners. Once established, they require minimal care, allowing landscapers to focus on other design aspects. In conclusion, perennial plants offer a range of benefits that enhance the overall appeal and ecological value of landscaping projects. With their captivating appearance, adaptability to various environments, support for local wildlife, and low maintenance needs, these perennial plants are a valuable addition to any landscape design seeking a harmonious blend of beauty and functionality. Virginia Bluebell Is Known For Its Beauty  The Virginia Bluebell, or Mertensia virginica, is a stunning and delicate native wildflower that graces eastern North America's woodlands and meadows. This perennial plant, belonging to the Boraginaceae family, is renowned for its enchanting beauty and is often considered one of the most striking spring wildflowers in its native range. Standing at heights 1 to 2.5 feet, the wildflower is a herbaceous plant that emerges from the forest floor early to mid-spring. Its growth cycle is a true spectacle as it undergoes a remarkable transformation. Initially, the plant's lance-shaped leaves are tinged with an attractive reddish-purple hue, but as they unfurl, they transition to a soft, gray-green color, creating a stunning contrast with its vibrant blue flowers. The Virginia Bluebell Has Mesmerizing Fairy-Like Flowers The flowers themselves are the main attraction of the plant. They are composed of clusters of pendulous, trumpet-shaped blooms that are a breathtaking shade of sky blue or pale pink, depending on the soil conditions. These blossoms are unique because they start as pink buds, gradually shifting to their iconic blue hue as they mature. The floral clusters adorn the plant's upright stems, creating a sea of blue that sways gently in the spring breeze. One of their most remarkable aspects is their ability to thrive in shaded woodland areas. They are often found in the dappled sunlight beneath deciduous trees, creating a serene and ethereal ambiance in these natural settings. Their preference for moist, rich soils ensures they are frequently spotted along stream banks and low-lying areas. Aside from its visual appeal, it plays an essential ecological role. They provide nectar for early-emerging pollinators like bees and butterflies, helping to kickstart the pollination process for various plants in their ecosystem. In conclusion, the Virginia Bluebell symbolizes grace and fleeting beauty in the natural world. Its striking blue flowers and unique life cycle make it a beloved harbinger of spring, enriching the landscapes it graces and captivating all who have the privilege to witness its brief but glorious bloom.

Regular price From $9.99
Regular price Sale price From $9.99
Unit price  per 
Lily Of The Valley - TN Nursery

Lily Of The Valley

Lily Of The Valley is a delicate perennial plant with nodding, bell-shaped white flowers and fragrant, sword-shaped leaves. It creates a charming ground cover in shaded garden areas and offers various benefits when integrated into landscaping designs. Its graceful appearance, sweet fragrance, adaptability, and contributions to outdoor spaces' visual and sensory aspects make it a prized addition to gardens. Lily Of The Valley is a classic. It is associated with purity, virtue, humility, and compassion. The proper scientific name is Convallaria majalishe, and the plant is related to good fortune, joy, hopefulness, happiness, prosperity, and blessings. The herbaceous perennials begin to bloom in mid-May and continue to maintain a delightfully fragrant display until summer officially arrives in mid-June. With its exquisitely tiny bell-shaped, ornamental flowers, the shrub has a low-key and understated beauty. Rather than a profuse explosion of showy blossoms, these plants have a quietly powerful presence. They can grow almost anywhere, whether in a valley or not. Slim curving stems give expression to glossy, deep green leaves that gently cradle sweet clusters of delicate, refined flowers. Each bell-shaped blossom hangs from a stem like a precious ornament, while the captivating scent delights the senses. The Symbolic Significance Of Lily Of The Valley They are associated with May Day. They symbolize a beautiful awakening after a long winter of darkness and hardship. The airy little flowers refresh the weary soul and promise a return to happiness and new hope. When the pretty white bells burst into view, they remind us that warm summers always follow dark winters with their alluring fragrance. Lily Of The Valley Is Used In Perfumes  When the alluring fragrance of them was converted to perfume and cologne in 1954, it inspired a line of products. Then, in 1956, Dior marketed it under the name Diorissimo. It was an instant hit for men and women alike. The lily was Dior's favorite flower and his lucky charm. The Unique Attributes Of Lily Of The Valley Lily Of The Valley can produce a thick carpet of ground cover while filling the air with a captivating scent. The deep green leaves make fabulous bouquets and cut flowers. With their curving stems, the plants can produce up to 12 tiny flowers with up to six tiny petals. The clusters are often included in bridal bouquets. Some bouquets consist entirely of them. The engaging blooms make a lovely statement when used to adorn wrapped gifts for weddings and showers.

Regular price From $9.99
Regular price Sale price From $9.99
Unit price  per 

Article Tags for: The Ultimate Guide to Shade Perennials

Discover more insightful reads and expert tips related to this topic. Dive into our curated selection of articles to expand your knowledge and get inspired. Whether you’re looking for gardening tips, plant care advice, or the latest trends in landscaping, we’ve got you covered!