By Christina Perez

This article was adapted from a presentation entitled ‘Success in the Shade’. Part I of this article can be found here: Success in the Shade

Plant Selection

Shade plants have wonderful variations of texture and color. The following charts are by no means extensive but do include a few options for the shade garden that have been successful in my own garden. Whatever you chose, be sure to keep track of your purchases and where each plant is planted in your new shade garden. Enjoy your new relaxing and calm garden retreat!

ANNUALS
Scientific Name	Common Name	Notes
Begonia semperflorens Begonia tuberhybrida	Wax Begonia Tuberous Begonia	Likes moist, well-drained soil
Caladium	Caladium	Great colors and textures; likes warm, moist soil
Heliotropium arborescens	Heliotrope	Can grow in sun to part shade; the plant is known to be poisonous, so do not ingest
Lobelia cardinalis Lobelia siphilitica	Lobelia	These two species are native to the Piedmont, and the fall blooms attracts hummingbirds
Nicotiniana ‘Perfume Mix’	Flowering Tobacco	This cultivar has a sweet fragrance and new hybrid varieties have great compact blooms
Coleus scutellariodes	Coleus	Likes well drained soil and ample water. Coleus gives wonderful color and texture options

 

PERENNIALS
Scientific Name	Common Name	Notes
Astilbe arendsii	Astilbe	Beautiful and feathery early spring blooms
Helleborus hybridus	Hellebore	Very reliable shade plant
Hosta ‘White Feather’	Hosta	There are many excellent varieties of hosta, and this specific cultivar has lovely bright white leaves
Thelypteris kunthii	Southern Shield Fern	This hardy native makes a wonderful addition to the shade garden
Pulmonaria officinalis	Lungwort	Fantastic spotted leaves with colorful, compact spring blooms. Good spreader in rich soil
Aquilegia canadensis	Eastern Columbine	This native is a great spreader and gives a colorful bloom in late spring
Dicentra exima	Bleeding Heart	This Piedmont native gives a great pink bloom in the spring
Digitalis purpurea	Foxglove	These come in a variety of colors and give a lovely effect when planted in groups
Stylophorum diphyllum	Celendine Poppy	Excellent addition to the shade garden. A good spreader with bright yellow blooms
Heuchera americana	American Alumroot	Native plant with a delicate spring bloom; lovely leaf gives good variety to the shade garden

 

Groundcovers
Scientific Name	Common Name	Notes
Asarum canadense	Wild Ginger	While not the same as culinary ginger, it does have a tasty root and is very low maintenance
Galium odoratum	Sweet Woodruff	Spring bloom that is fragrant and edible
Phyllum- Bryophyta	Moss	Moss is much preferable to grass in shady environments, and many different moss varieties thrive in North Carolina 6

References

1. Evans, E. Flowers and Woody Ornamentals. In: Evans, E., ed. The North Carolina Master Gardener Training Manual. 5th ed. Raleigh, NC: NC Cooperative Extension; 1998.

2. Miller, H. Gardening in the Shade. Horticulture Learn and Grow. University of Illinois Extension.

3. Givnish, T. J. 1988. Adaptation to Sun and Shade: A Whole-plant Perspective. Aust. J. Plant Physiol. 15, 63-92.

4. Hutchings, M.J., Harper John, E.A., Stewart, A.J.A. 2001. The Ecological Consequences of Environmental Heterogeneity: The 40th Symposium of the British Ecological Society. Held at the University of Sussex. Symposia of the British Ecological Society.
5. Robinson,, S.A., Lovelock, C.E., and Osmond, C.B. 1993. Wax as a Mechanism for Protection against Photoinhibition — A Study of Cotyledon orbiculata. Botanica Acta. 106(4): 307-312.
6. Martin, A. The Magical World of Moss Gardening. Portland, OR: Timber Press; 2015.