Shade Perennials

Part shade means about three to six hours of direct sun a day, or dappled light filtering through trees all day. Full shade means less than three hours of direct sun. Many woodland wildflowers do best in part shade, while plants like painted trillium and partridge berry handle deep shade. Morning sun with afternoon shade suits almost every plant on this page.

The ground under trees is often both shady and dry, because tree roots take most of the water. Spring wildflowers are perfect here: Virginia bluebells , bloodroot and hepatica bloom and soak up rain before the trees leaf out. For green that lasts all season, plant wild ginger , Solomon's seal and foamflower , and pair them with shade ferns such as Christmas fern. Water new plantings well their first year, and add a layer of shredded leaves to hold in moisture.

Virginia bluebells, Dutchman's breeches and some other woodland wildflowers are spring ephemerals. They grow, bloom and set seed in the few weeks before the tree canopy closes, then go dormant underground by early summer. This is normal and doesn't mean the plant died. Mark where you planted them and fill the gaps with ferns, wild ginger or Solomon's seal, whose foliage covers the bare spots for the rest of the season.

What perennials grow in full shade?

Painted trillium, partridge berry, wild ginger, Solomon's seal, foamflower, mayapple and bloodroot all grow in full shade, meaning less than three hours of direct sun a day. Woodland wildflowers like these evolved on the forest floor, so deep shade suits them better than most garden flowers.

What shade perennials bloom all summer?

Few shade plants bloom all summer, because most woodland wildflowers flower in spring. For summer color in shade, plant black cohosh, cardinal flower and great blue lobelia, which bloom from June into September. Then fill in with plants valued for their foliage, such as wild ginger, Solomon's seal and ferns, to keep the garden green between blooms.

What can I plant under trees?

Spring bloomers such as Virginia bluebells, bloodroot and hepatica do well under deciduous trees, since they flower before the leaves fill in. Wild ginger, foamflower and Solomon's seal make good long-lasting cover. Plant them in pockets between roots instead of digging up the root zone, and water them through their first summer.

When should I plant shade perennials?

Fall and early spring are best. Bare-root shade perennials planted in fall, at least four to six weeks before the ground freezes, settle in over winter and bloom the following spring. Spring-blooming wildflowers such as trilliums and bluebells especially benefit from fall planting.

Do shade perennials come back every year?

Yes. Shade perennials are hardy plants that die back in fall or go dormant after blooming, then return from their roots each spring. Many native woodland wildflowers, including trilliums and Solomon's seal, slowly spread into larger clumps over the years.

Do shade perennials need fertilizer?

Usually not. Woodland plants are adapted to rich, leafy forest soil. Instead of fertilizer, leave fallen leaves in place or add a layer of shredded leaves or compost each fall, which mimics the forest floor and keeps soil moist.

What's the easiest shade perennial for beginners?

Wild geranium, Solomon's seal, foamflower and wild ginger are among the easiest. They tolerate a range of soils, spread steadily into attractive clumps and need very little care once established.