When choosing a flower for your planter, you’ll want to consider the shade-tolerant nature of the plant. For example, corydalis is a great plant to choose for a partially-shaded space. It grows well in moist soil and blooms in the spring. Corydalis is very low-maintenance, but it’s important to plant it in well-drained soil to ensure that it’ll thrive in the shade.
Geraniums
If your planter is in a partially shaded area, Geraniums are perfect. They like morning sun but can tolerate a little shade during the afternoon. The exact placement of your geraniums will determine their growth rate and flowering time. Geraniums need sunlight to help them break down food and nutrients. This is why they thrive in sun or shade. However, some species like ivy geranium are better in shade.
While geraniums will bloom in dappled shade, you should be sure to provide adequate sunlight. They prefer four hours of sunshine a day, but if you can only get two or three hours of direct sun a day, your geraniums will not produce blossoms. They will stop giving off flowers altogether if you do not give them enough sunlight. To avoid this problem, plant your geraniums in a planter with indirect sun.
Impatiens
Impatiens are an excellent choice for plants in planters in shade because they bloom prolifically. Some varieties grow well in partial shade while others prefer full sun. If you want to make your planter a real showpiece, choose a variety that thrives in shade. However, impatiens are susceptible to downy mildew, which requires frequent fungicide applications. The fungus can be transmitted to other plants through water and air.
Impatiens are a wonderful addition to a flower garden. This colorful shrub thrives in pots and containers and will brighten up a deeply shaded area. You can choose a dwarf variety that will grow in a pot. They have a wide range of flower colors and can be underplanted with other plants. You can also plant dwarf varieties. These perennials are good in pots because of their dwarf sizes.
Hostas
Hostas are perfect planters for areas of partial shade. They make an attractive statement at the entrance to the home and go well with a variety of shade conditions. Planting a collection of potted hostas in a row is a beautiful focal point. Consider choosing hostas with a blue or variegated leaf color. You can also choose hostas with large, fragrant blooms to place near a seating area.
Shade-loving hostas are the perfect choice for planters, as they require minimal care and tend to flower freely. Although they are traditionally used as shrubs in the shade garden, they can also thrive in planters. Many hostas have striped, puckered, or pinnate leaves, and they blend beautifully with ferns. Hostas come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from miniatures that grow only a few inches high to large, sprawling mounds up to eight feet tall.
Fuchsias
If you want to add color and beauty to your planter, try fuchsias. They can be planted alone or with other shade-tolerant plants. These plants tend to bloom on new wood, so aggressive pruning can encourage vigorous flowering. The best fuchsias for planters in shade require rich, slightly acidic soil, and partial shade. They also prefer morning sun, with some afternoon shade.
Fuchsias need a consistent supply of water. Water the plant when the soil feels dry. You can water fuchsias once or twice a week, depending on the weather, but they need more water if they’re in a container. Watering in the spring may only require a couple of times a week, but during the summer, you can water fuchsias daily. For best results, water the plants early in the morning.
Yews
Coral bells, sometimes referred to as “leopard plants,” are an excellent choice for shady locations. The foliage on these plants is evergreen and the variety of colors available is almost endless, ranging from silvery green to purple-black, salmon and rusty orange. Not only are these plants eye-catching, but they can be grown in mini-size planters, too. They also tolerate partial shade and will grow to be as tall as 3 feet.
Oxalis: This genus contains several species that thrive in shady areas. Its soft mat-forming leaves are perfect for a tall hanging basket or urn. Its tubular flowers open as the sun dwindles, and it is often used in combination with fuchsia, bacopa, and torenia. It can grow up to three feet tall and spreads to two feet wide.
Coral bells
Among the many coral bells available for your garden, coral bells require only partial shade to thrive and produce the brightest flowers. However, they do need four hours of sun per day. While plants with pale leaves and pink flowers should be protected from the sun, those in cool climates can tolerate a little less sunlight as long as they get plenty of moisture. Coral bells require well-draining soil that is humus-rich. Soil that is too wet or dry can cause crown rot, so you may want to add compost to your garden before planting.
Heuchera, also known as coral bells, are the best plants for planters in shade. This species has showy, bell-shaped flowers that bloom throughout the summer. The leaves are also available in a range of colors, including copper, gold, rusty orange, silver, and purple-black. Aside from their beautiful foliage, some varieties of heuchera come with showy flowers on slender stems. Some of these varieties include Chocolate Ruffles and ‘Autumn Leaves’.
Lobelia erinus var. pendula
If you need a low-maintenance filler plant for your container, you may want to consider the blue-flowered Lobelia erinus. It is not fussy about sunlight levels and will flower well in partial shade to full sun. Lobelia ‘Crystal Palace Blue’ is a wonderful plant to use for fillers in containers, planters, and hanging baskets. This plant is not only attractive to butterflies, but is also deer-resistant. It offers an amazing display through the summer.
Lobelia are part of the bellflower family. Their colorful blooms are eye-catching, and can be grown in pots or on the ground. Most species are found in the tropics or subtropics, but some are common as horticultural eye-catchers in parks. Perennial and water lobelia are particularly interesting for experimenters. The Harris Seeds team includes local growers and garden enthusiasts who have gathered information from countless sources to ensure you get the best quality seedlings.
Elephant’s ear
You can plant elephant’s ear as a seedling or a bulb. If you choose a bulb, plant it with its root end facing up. Then, you can divide it into several smaller plantlets. Once you have a few plantlets, transplant them to larger containers. Make sure they are at the same soil depth as the nursery pots. If you grow elephant’s ear from seed, it takes three to eight weeks before the first plantlets appear. Once the first plantlets appear, place them in indirect but bright light.
The best part about elephant’s ear is that it can tolerate shade well. Its large leaves will keep your planter neat and tidy. If you plant it too close to another plant, the larger leaves will shade it out. Then, you can cut off older leaves to keep the plant tidy. And you can plant it next to smaller plants to prevent the smaller plants from being shaded.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas grow best in partial shade, but they will still tolerate some sunlight if you keep them in pots. Watering is important, and hydrangeas need frequent watering. Water thoroughly around the base until water starts coming out of the soil. Make sure to hand water hydrangeas, since you will be able to observe them more closely. For best results, plant hydrangeas in a planter with a perforated bottom to avoid the soil becoming soggy.
For the best blooms, choose hydrangeas with consistent moist soil. When planting, check for dryness about once a week. Water the plants when the top inch of soil dries out. Hydrangeas can survive droughts, but their best growth will occur when they receive morning sunlight and afternoon shade. Also, mulch will help keep the soil moist and inhibit weed growth. Mulch can be purchased locally and is inexpensive.