For those who are looking for the best plants for porch shade, here are some great choices: Bacopa, Impatiens, Hostas, and Vinca minor. These four species will provide shade and beauty to your porch. Each of these plants needs a certain amount of sun, and they are worth considering as porch shade plants. But which ones grow best in porch shade? Let’s take a closer look. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most popular shade-tolerant plants.
Bacopa
Growing Bacopa in a pot is a great way to enjoy its fragrant flowers without taking up too much space. Because this plant is self-cleaning, you don’t need to worry about deadheading it. However, you can speed up the blooming process by using a flower trimmer. For an even healthier plant, cut back the flower stalks every few weeks to promote new growth.
There are several varieties of bacopa. The smaller varieties come in white, peach, and yellow. Some even cascade over other plants. Bacopa grows well in partial or full shade and can be grown from seed or cuttings. You can find it at most nurseries along with flowering annuals. Once it’s established, it will be a beautiful, long-lasting addition to your porch.
This annual plant is native to rainier areas of South Africa. It’s a tough plant that overwinters as a tender perennial in USDA zones 9-11. Bacopa grows between two and eight inches tall and can cascade up to four feet in length. This versatile plant can be grown in pots, hanging baskets, and flower beds. Despite its low height, it’s easy to care for, and it’s hardy in zones nine to 11 as well. Bacopa is a lovely ground cover and attracts butterflies.
Impatiens
There are many advantages to growing Impatiens in the porch shade. These brightly colored perennials thrive in part shade or full shade. The SunPatiens family has two distinct series, each having distinct characteristics. SunPatiens are compact while vigorous types are suitable for bedding or containers. Impatiens also attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and pollinators. They’re a great choice for porch shade, and they’re easy to care for.
Impatiens walleriana, also called Busy Lizzie, grows in partial shade and produces mounds of vibrant flowers. This species is not to be confused with New Guinea impatiens, which require more sun. These plants wilt dramatically in dry weather but will usually bloom again once the temperature reaches a reasonable temperature. Impatiens can be grown from seed or from young plants from a local garden center.
As a perennial, impatiens do well in shade, but they’ll need a good deal of water and good drainage. You should give them two to four inches of water every week. You should water them every two weeks in spring and summer, and once they’re established, you can apply slow-release fertilizer. A liquid fertilizer is another option. Once the impatiens are established, you can apply slow-release fertilizer every two weeks during the spring and summer seasons.
Hostas
For a comfortable, low-maintenance plant, try a hosta. These versatile plants range from dwarf varieties to large plants that are several feet high. They also look great planted in pots or around boulders. A hosta’s low maintenance nature makes them ideal porch plants because they are not as attractive to rabbits and slugs, which are common pests in shaded areas. The best part about hostas? They can tolerate shade and are tolerant of poor soil.
Hostas can thrive in a shaded porch or patio, as long as they get some sun. Shade-loving hostas can be grown in pots or flowerbeds, and their colorful foliage can add interest year-round. Perennial hostas are particularly colorful and feature distinct leaf patterns, such as stripes and puckered seersucker patterns. Perennial hostas bloom late in summer, adding architectural height and fragrance to a patio or balcony.
Since hostas prefer partial shade, it is best to choose varieties that grow in partial shade. While blue hostas grow best in full shade, others look best in partial shade. When selecting a hosta for your porch shade, check its tag. The tag will give you an idea of its eventual full size. Most hostas like dappled shade, but they don’t mind morning sun. To care for a hosta plant, add compost to its pots and water the plants about once a week. Be sure not to overwater them because that can cause crown rot.
Vinca minor
If you’re looking for a hardy plant for your porch shade, consider vinca minor. This hardy vine tolerates both sun and shade and is known for its shiny evergreen leaves and star-shaped flowers that bloom from spring to fall. Gaultheria procumbens, an evergreen shrub native to North America, has glossy leaves and produces red berries in winter. This plant is a good choice for shady slopes, and it can tolerate poor soil.
Periwinkles, or Vinca minor, tolerate both full sunlight and partial shade and are often grown in containers. They are drought-tolerant and tolerate partial shade. You can even plant them in containers if they’re in a spot that receives little sunlight. Alternatively, you can plant a periwinkle in a shady spot underneath a tree, where the vine’s shade will be partial.
Although vinca is drought and heat tolerant, it does require regular watering to thrive. It is best to water the plant every two weeks or so. When the top 2 inches of soil feels dry, water the plant thoroughly. It’s okay to water it a little more than this, but you don’t want to overwater it. Moreover, it doesn’t like standing water, so you should also add some rocks to the bottom of the container.
Epimedium
The genus Epimedium contains over 20 species. These perennials are commonly recognized by their hanging clusters of four-petaled flowers, which bloom from spring to early summer. They are excellent choices for porches and other dry shade areas. Hardiness varies widely depending on species, zone, and growing conditions. Read the following care instructions to ensure the best results. Listed below are some of the best plants for porch shade.
For shade-tolerant perennials, you can consider the ‘Rose Queen’. This species will grow to a mature size of 12 to 18 inches. Its foliage is fine and it tolerates dry shade well. Its blue flowers bloom from mid to late spring. If you’re looking for a taller plant, you can try the epimedium japonica. It grows eight to 10 feet tall and can handle dry shade.
Other plants for porch shade include epimedium and ferns. The interrupted fern, for instance, grows tall and turns golden in the fall, providing color all year long. The Japanese painted fern, on the other hand, stays shorter and has silvery-maroon veining. All three can thrive in a wide range of conditions. Whether you choose epimedium for a sunny porch or a sunny patio, there’s a plant for you.
Japanese forest grass
Growing in partial shade, Japanese forest grass is a beautiful choice for your porch. The foliage of this plant does not stand upright but cascades over the entire clump. Depending on your choice, the standard color of the foliage can range from lime green to gold. However, you can also look for varieties with red, orange, and purple foliage. These plants will thrive in the shade and benefit from mulching.
To create the perfect shade for your porch, consider planting Hakone Grass, a long-lived ornamental grass native to Japan. This plant forms loose, cascading mounds that ripple in slight breezes. Its foliage is green in summer and transforms into vibrant gold and copper-orange in the fall. In addition, the flowers bloom in mid-late summer. Its multi-season interest makes it an excellent choice for shade gardens.
This ornamental grass has few problems. It grows slowly and can be left standing through the winter. In the spring, you can prune the foliage back to promote a more compact habit. This grass is not particularly drought-tolerant, and should be divided once or twice per year. Because it is slow-growing, it will not require division for many years. Depending on the climate in which you live, the height and bloom time will vary.
Begonias
Begonias are perfect patio plants because they thrive in filtered shade. They can be planted in baskets and grow about one foot tall. Plant them in rich, well-drained potting soil and keep them moist. If you overwater them, the leaves will turn yellow. Mist the plants regularly during humid and foggy conditions to keep them looking great. Be sure to check the soil’s pH level before planting.
For an even brighter effect, try planting an annual flower such as coleus or caladium. These colorful plants will bloom throughout the year. If you want to give the flower a longer bloom time, try growing them close together. Their blooms will keep attracting pollinators. Begonias are one of the best plants for porch shade because they have bright, spiky flowers that don’t require full sun.
Hostas are also good shade-loving plants. They are easy to care for, grow quickly and are relatively low maintenance. Their foliage is tasty for rabbits and deer. Their spikey lavender-white flowers attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. If you have a cat or a dog, don’t try planting Hostas near them. They are toxic to cats and dogs, so if you have a pet that likes to nibble on plants, don’t plant them.
