If your yard is partially shaded, there are many different plants that thrive in this type of light. Here are some examples of Perennials, Cultivars, Flowers, and More! If you are in the process of planning a new landscape design, consider these plants that will thrive in partial sun. These plants will grow in hardiness zones four through eight. Plus, some of them have medicinal uses! They bloom in late summer and early fall and need little watering, making them great for partial-sun areas.
Perennials
If your garden gets some partial or full sunlight, you can plant the following varieties for maximum bloom. The best part about these perennials is that they don’t need a lot of care. They are strong and hardy plants that need little maintenance. They have lovely white, purple or pink flowers that bloom in summer and are drought-resistant. The blooms are quite long, and they’re not bothered by a lot of light.
Some perennials that thrive in partial sun include the bleeding heart, a genus of coneflowers with large, beautiful flowers. These plants bloom from July through October and are often referred to as bleeding hearts. Because of their unusual shape, bleeding hearts are often grown as a ground cover. The classic purple coneflower ‘Magnus’ is a good choice, as is the butterfly-shaped ‘Butterfly Kisses. There are several varieties of echinacea, but the Sombrero series is an excellent choice this year. It grows to six inches.
Primula denticulata, commonly called drumstick primrose, has distinctive rocket-shaped flowerheads. The flowers are pinkish-purple in bloom, but are red when they first open. They bloom on sturdy stems above lance-shaped, light green leaves. These plants grow well on their own or in a flower bed. ‘Grandma’s Bonnet’ and ‘Beautiful Pink’ are two other choices, both of which require little maintenance.
Hellebores are another good choice for partial-shade gardens. They are low-maintenance and drought-resistant. They make a great ground cover for slopes and can tolerate partial shade. The flowers will last a couple of months. These plants are deer and rabbit-resistant, so you can rest assured that they will remain safe in your garden. Its blooms are fragrant, too. A few other perennials that are excellent in partial sun conditions include Ligularia, a plant with colorful flowers that blooms in the late summer and early fall.
Cultivars
There are several cultivars that perform best in partial shade, including caladiums and cyperus. Strap-leaf caladiums tend to do best in full shade, but the triphylla variety does better in part shade. These plants have fine-textured foliage and colorful blooms. If you’re not sure which one to grow in your yard, consider trying one of these:
Partial-shade gardens are often shady, so planting these plants in these areas can be beneficial. Many of these plants will perform best when the morning sun is less intense than the afternoon sun. However, some plants will thrive with a little more sunshine. In this case, try one of these cultivars:
Some herbs, like basil, will do best in partial shade. Basil needs three or four hours of sunlight a day in order to produce ripe fruit. Other herbs that thrive in partial shade include catnip, chervil, chives, marjoram, and oregano. Bush tomatoes can also tolerate partial shade and are often labeled with their regional names. Some plants will bloom only in partial shade, while others won’t even flower until they have full sunlight.
Flowers
Perennials that thrive in part shade are some of the best choices for partial sun. Perennials that prefer some shade are often labeled part sun or part shade. These types of plants can tolerate varying amounts of shade, but don’t mind the occasional afternoon shadow. Popular part sun perennials include hibiscus, dianthus, hosta, and sage. Here are some of the most beautiful and versatile choices.
Blazing star is a stunning flowering plant native to the American prairies. It thrives in part sun and doesn’t mind hot temperatures, and comes in pink, purple, or white varieties. The blooms are two feet high and are attractive to bees and butterflies. They also tolerate a wide range of temperatures, and are suitable for gardens facing north. The red frill is a good choice if your garden receives a fair amount of morning sun, as it won’t get hot during the day.
If you’re planning to grow a variety of plants in partial sun, choose those with a low sun requirement. These will tolerate a moderate amount of exposure, but they won’t grow as big or as colorful as those that require full sunlight. Partial sun plants are best placed in a sheltered location with breaks from the sun. They don’t need filtered light, but they do need a little extra shade.
Leafy greens do well in partial shade. Kale, lettuce, spinach, and arugula are especially suitable. You can also choose Swiss chard, which is closely related to spinach and beets. It is also easy to grow, and has beautiful foliage. Roses, too, do well in partial shade. However, you should make sure they get enough sunlight to flower. This will ensure that your flowers are healthy and beautiful.
Camellias
Camellias are among the best plants for partial sun gardens because they tolerate a lot of shade, but they also have a beautiful flowering habit and are great to have around if you’d like to attract bees and birds. Not only do they look great year-round, but they don’t require much water once they’re established. They don’t grow well in full sun and will show signs of sunburn if exposed to it for long periods.
Blooming time
Part-shade plants need less direct sunlight to thrive. They require four to six hours of direct sunlight per day, but not consecutively. Morning and afternoon sun can be combined to provide partial-shade plants with sufficient amount of sunlight for growth. While most of these plants will bloom, they will be less prolific when they receive only partial-shade sunlight. This is because part-shade plants need intense sun exposure and heat to produce their flowers.
A few plants that will thrive in partial sun are perennials. The bleeding heart, for example, is a flowering perennial with pink or white heart-shaped flowers. These blooms last several weeks, and the foliage may go dormant during the hot summer months. While the flowers are attractive, the foliage may die off in the heat of summer, but they should reappear the following year. It is important to water bleeding hearts thoroughly and evenly, as they do tend to go dormant during the summer months.
Hydrangeas need some sun to bloom, but not all of them do. Some of them require partial shade, but they do well in both conditions. For instance, Bloom-a-thon Azalea, which blooms twice, should be grown in containers high in the ground. Cityline Paris Hydrangeas and Endless Summer Hydrangeas are also partial-shade plants that rebloom year after year. In addition, Mountain Fire Pieris Japonica, which produces delicate white flowers in spring, has vivid red leaves.
Plants that thrive in partial shade tend to be easier to grow, as they are more suited for early morning sun. However, they do not prefer the intense heat of midday, which is especially important in summer. Then again, it is important to remember that these plants are more sensitive to afternoon sun and may not thrive. It is vital to remember that the plants you choose for your garden should be able to tolerate the sun during the day.