There are many different types of shade-loving plants. Ligularia, also known as ‘leopard plant’, is one of the best shade-loving plants, despite its name. Ligularia does not attract deer, so you can be sure that your plants won’t be infested by deer. It has striking red leaves and yellow daisy-like blooms that are actually spikier. The foliage is also huge, making it a good choice for shade gardens.
Toad lilies
Toad lilies are the ideal choice for gardens that get very little sunlight. Because they lack underground water sources, they need a rich, moist soil to grow well. Toad lilies can be divided and planted separately. It’s best to divide toad lilies in the spring when the new growth bud is visible on the underground rhizome.
Toad lilies are hardy perennials that grow best in shady spots. They are native to Asia and grow in clumps near streams and creek beds. These plants thrive in shade, need little water, and don’t require deadheading. They also have beautiful purple flowers that make great cut flowers. Toad lilies are excellent choice for gardens with shade because they don’t need deadheading.
For an impressive display of color, plant Toad Lilies in groups of four or more. Masses of toad lilies make exquisite accent plants. Toad lilies look great with ferns, hostas, and heucheras. Toad lilies also make excellent cut flowers. And if you want a little extra color in your garden, grow the hairy toad lily.
Toad lilies thrive in full or partial shade. They grow in shady areas, and are easy to care for. They require moist soil and organic, slightly acidic compost. This type of soil will help them grow taller. But remember to keep them watered during the summer. You’ll find them blooming from late summer into fall. They’ll be happy and look beautiful.
Indian pink
If you want a plant that will grow well in a shade garden, then Indian pink is your plant. Indian pink has attractive, tuberous blooms that are often pollinated by hummingbirds. This plant can tolerate moist soil, but is best in full to partial shade. It is also suitable for naturalized areas and woodland gardens. For a fuller description of this plant, do an online search.
For the best results, choose a site that receives some afternoon sun but not much. Make sure the soil is moist and rich in organic matter. If your soil is heavy in sand and clay, then amend it with organic matter such as compost, peat moss, or coconut coir. Mulch can also help your Indian pink thrive. Mulch helps retain moisture, suppresses weeds, and encourages beneficial microorganisms.
The Indian pink is easy to propagate by seed. The seed capsules will explode when the plant is ready to bloom. Then, place the seedlings in clean, moist soil. During winter, Indian pink plants can be cut back to create a tidy appearance. If you want to attract hummingbirds, plant it with columbine. Both plants grow best in shade and attract hummingbirds.
The Indian pink is an attractive flowering perennial. It grows from one to two feet tall and blooms for several weeks in spring. Indian pink thrives in part shade and prefers moist organic soil. It is an ideal plant for native plant gardens, woodland gardens, and shaded areas. It is a hardy plant for USDA growing zones five to nine. When it is established, it will be in full bloom for the summer months.
Lungwort
Lungwort is a beautiful plant for your yard or garden. It likes the shade, but is adaptable enough to tolerate the sun if planted in moist soil. It grows up to 1.5 feet tall and has heart-shaped leaves that have white speckles. Ideally, it should be planted beneath trees that provide shade during the summer. If you’d like to grow lungwort in a sunny area, it prefers organic soil.
There are several cultivars of lungwort. The ‘Beth Chatto’ cultivar has deep green foliage with spotted edges. It blooms a few weeks later than most lungworts. This cultivar is also semi-evergreen and tolerates heat better than most pulmonaria. It does well in warm climates and requires afternoon shade to thrive. ‘Beth Chatto’ is the best cultivar for shade.
Lungwort is one of the earliest perennials to bloom in spring, often in conjunction with crocus. It’s evergreen in warm climates but will die back in harsh winters. It will come back to life in the spring if it has several warm days. Lungwort is best grown in partial shade, away from the hot noon sun. This plant prefers rich, moist soil, but will also tolerate a drier, average soil. It doesn’t like standing water, however.
Lungwort is a low-growing perennial with spotted foliage. It grows to between nine and 18 inches tall and two feet wide. The leaves of this plant resemble a diseased lung and were used as a medicinal remedy in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is low-maintenance, and long-lived, so it is an excellent choice for shade gardens. There are many varieties of lungwort and you should be able to find one that suits your needs.
Azaleas
If you want to grow azaleas in your garden, make sure you know what to expect from them. Depending on the shade your area gets, your azaleas can either flower or not. In full shade, the azalea will receive only filtered light, or it will be under the daylong shadow of a tree or building. It will also have an open habit and be susceptible to diseases and insects.
During the summer, water azaleas once a week to keep them healthy. Azaleas are shallow-rooted, so they can easily get stressed by excess moisture. A lack of moisture can cause the leaves to turn gray, curl inward, and scorch along the edges. To avoid this problem, water your azaleas thoroughly, to a depth of 8 to 12 inches. One inch of water is enough to moisten most soils to a depth of 12 inches. Azaleas respond well to drip irrigation or slow watering with a soaker hose.
Azaleas can tolerate a little shade, but you should still be careful when planting them. When you are planting azaleas, make sure to place the root ball one to two inches above the soil level. Then, fill the hole with organic matter and mulch. The roots will not grow for quite a while until they have established themselves. A rooted azalea will flower and be in your landscape within two to three years.
Lobelias
Among lobelias, the erinus is the most versatile species. It can be grown in containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets. Its graceful branches hang over the edge. They can also be grown in flower beds. In containers, they provide an attractive visual element. Their colorful flowers make them a good choice for adding a splash of color. Regardless of how you grow them, the erinus is a good choice.
A great plant for a patio or window box, lobelia flowers will bloom continuously in spring, summer, and fall. Although they don’t tolerate full sun, lobelias will bloom if they get enough water. This means that you won’t have to worry about the plant dying off when the sun comes out. This beautiful shade-tolerant plant will continue to bloom throughout the year. They are deer and rabbit-resistant, which makes them an excellent choice for patios.
Growing lobelias in a pot is the most convenient way to get them started. They don’t like soil that’s too dry or too wet. They thrive in moist soil, but are more likely to die off if the soil is too dry. Ensure the soil is well-drained, and add plenty of fertilizer. Lobelias need high pH levels to thrive in the shade.
Vinca minor
Vinca major and minor are both perennial shrubs and vines that thrive in partial shade. These shrubs can be grown from seed or stem cuttings, but it requires more work to root them. The easiest way to propagate vinca minor is to divide a mature plant, or by buying a nursery transplant. Divided plants should be planted at the same level as the old ones. In addition, vines can be quite invasive, so it’s best to carefully plant them in a confined space.
Vinca minor and major are both drought tolerant and low-maintenance perennials that thrive in part shade. Although they do not tolerate cold temperatures as well, both types of vinca are ideal ground covers for shaded areas. They also tolerate light foot traffic. For shade-tolerant shrubs, choose vinca minor, which makes a great ground cover substitute or border edging. Both species can be propagated by cuttings or division in spring or summer.
Another low-maintenance perennial with a dramatic appearance, Vinca minor is an excellent choice for a shady area. Its glossy dark green leaves are an attractive contrast to its pale blue blooms. Vinca minor is excellent for soil erosion control on slopes, too. Its compact growth habit makes it ideal for ground covers and is drought-tolerant. It grows fast and is available all year round.