For those of you who are looking for plants that thrive in shade and water, here are some choices you should consider. Coral bells, for example, have spires of small, colorful blooms that emerge in late spring and last into early summer. This plant has eight to ten inch stems and its foliage is often a variety of colors. The blooms attract hummingbirds, and it will also thrive in full sunlight.
Cultivars
If you want to grow plants in shade, you need to make sure they don’t mind constant moisture and compost. Ideally, your garden should be well-drained. But if your soil is constantly wet, you won’t get very far with a lot of shade-loving plants. For example, perennials are not good for constantly wet soil, but they can tolerate a little bit of moisture.
Choose one with large, bold leaves to complement a water feature. It’ll bloom in late summer with its daisy-like flowers. This perennial will go dormant in winter but returns in the summer. Look for cultivars with fine grass-like foliage, such as Little White and Caesar’s Brother. You may need to water it frequently during the hotter months, but they’re worth it in the long run.
‘Rocket’ ligularia
‘Rocket’ ligulariana has handsome, multicolored flowers on tall black stems. Its deep yellow flowers are surrounded by large, toothed leaves. This plant will make an attractive addition to a mixed herbaceous border. ‘Rocket’ is hardy to Zone 4. It prefers moist soil and plenty of water. It will lift up its flower spikes each summer.
‘Rocket’ ligulariana is a striking perennial with striking foliage and flowers. Its leaves are deeply toothed and heart-shaped. Most of the plant’s foliage is basal and is light green. The flowers are bright yellow and sit on top of thick stems and are up to two feet across. The flowers are daisy-like and are held on stems that contrast with the dark stems.
‘Rocket’ ligulariana is a good plant for shade and lots or water. Ligularia is known for its large leaves, and it requires frequent watering. In winter, it is best to water the plants once every week so the foliage does not dry out. During summer, they need more water to survive but ‘Rocket’ ligularia can withstand dry conditions as well.
‘Rocket’ ligularian has dark green leaves with serrated edges and yellow flowers in summer. It prefers shade and lots of water but will tolerate dry, shady areas. ‘Rocket’ ligularia can be grown indoors, and they will grow in shade and need lots of water. The plants are easily transplanted, but they don’t need to be divided because they are so adaptable.
‘Aurea’ creeping Jenny
‘Aurea’ creeping Jenny grows best in a partially shaded area. It thrives in moist soil and needs regular watering. Because its roots like to roam, watering the plants regularly will keep them healthy and vibrant. If watering is not done frequently, the plant will set down new roots to control a new section of the plant. In the end, you’ll have a beautiful creeping plant that will cover a whole area.
‘Aurea’ creeping Jenny grows best in full sunlight. In a container, it can be transplanted in the ground. Keep in mind, though, that it will spread over the sides of the container. It requires a good amount of water and shade, and a spot with indirect sunlight will benefit the growth of the plant. A well-drained area will give ‘Aurea’ creeping Jenny lots of water.
‘Aurea’ creeping Jenny needs a protected shady spot to thrive. It requires consistent moisture, but not soggy. It can be grown as a houseplant as long as it has a moist, shady spot. For optimal growth, it should be fed with 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring. It can also be grown as an annual, and should only require a light fertilization in the fall and early spring.
‘Peace lily’
Aside from a sunny location, peace lilies are also good in low light conditions. However, they do need a few hours of indirect light a day to flourish. During winter, peace lilies can benefit from sub-irrigation. You can add some liquid fertilizer once a week to the potted peace lily to bring it back to health.
The peace lily can be planted both indoors and outdoors. It does not require direct sunlight, but it does need plenty of water and partial shade. It also does not like too much shade because too much direct sunlight can damage the leaves. For best results, place your peace lily at least six to eight feet away from a window. In general, peace lilies thrive in partial shade.
If you do not want to give your peace lily too much water, keep it in a pot with plenty of room to breathe. If it does not get enough water, the plant will suffer from undergrowth and may not even flower. When you do fertilize peace lilies, make sure that you dispose of the prunings properly. Also, be sure to keep them in an area where cats and dogs can’t access them.
A peaceful lily grows well in a tropical rainforest. The climate should be around 68 degrees Fahrenheit. However, peace lilies cannot be left out year round in temperate climates. During the winter, you should place the plant in a room that is warm and has plenty of indirect sunlight. The best window placement is a north or west facing window. Too much sun will result in brown leaves.
‘Astilbe’
Astilbe is a great plant for shade gardens. Although it needs a moist soil and shade to grow, astilbe is surprisingly pest-resistant. While it is susceptible to bacterial leaf spot and powdery mildew, these diseases are rare and rarely cause damage to astilbe. Bacterial leaf spot limits the growth of the plant, so prevent the spread of the disease by applying copper fungicide. Other pests to look out for are tarnished leaves bugs and powdery mildew. While a copper fungicide may help slow the spread of these diseases, you can pick the bugs off with soap and water.
Astilbes prefer moist soil with organic content. The soil should be well-drained and evenly moist. Avoid waterlogged soil, and consider planting mulch around the plants to prevent evaporation and retain moisture. In areas with cool summers, astilbes can be planted in full sun. In hotter climates, shade is preferable. Astilbes are heavy feeders, so they need rich soil and regular fertilizers rich in nitrogen.
Astilbe is one of the best plants in shade gardens because it has long-lasting color even in part shade. It also adds textural contrast to broader leaves. It is also hardy in containers and is a great choice for shade gardens. Its flowering season lasts from mid-spring through late summer. Astilbe is not a plant to deadhead.
‘Sparkler’ palm sedge
The ‘Sparkler’ palm sledge is a beautiful evergreen perennial. It grows to three to four feet tall, and can handle up to twelve hours of direct sunlight each day. It is best grown in well-drained soil. Carex phyllocephala ‘Sparkler’ is native to the Mediterranean region. Its best climate for growth is full sun, although it can survive in partial shade.
‘Sparkler’ palm sage prefers a well-drained soil, so make sure to mix in plenty of loam and sand. It needs at least two inches of moisture to thrive. The best soil for Sparkler Sedge is chalky and contains about five percent sand. The sedge requires little maintenance and grows slowly. Despite its slow growth rate, it can survive up to 10 years in ideal conditions.
‘Sparkler’ palm sage is an ornamental groundcover that can be used in pots or gardens. Its upright habit makes it a great ‘thriller’ in a container combination. Place it in the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants, or grow it on its own in a container. Keep in mind that ‘Sparkler’ palm sedge needs more water than plants in the garden.
‘Sparkler’ palm sage is a hardy perennial that grows well in shade and full sun. Its foliage and flowers are green and showy, and it can tolerate both shade and full sun. It grows in clumps and requires average soil. It is also suitable for a shady or partially shaded garden. It grows best in moist soil, and tolerates a wide range of conditions.