Gardening Plants & Flowers Perennials

30 Best Perennial Flowers for a Shade Garden

Siberian bugloss perennial plant with small blue flowers in front of large leaves

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Gardeners often lament that there are only a limited number of flowering perennials for a shade garden. A shady garden is one that receives less than four hours of direct sun per day. It's true that many shade-loving options are foliage plants, but many perennial flowers can thrive in shady areas, available in a variety of colors. Some shade-loving perennials are adaptable to a wide range of sunlight, from full sun to shade. While some of these plants can tolerate full sun, they enjoy the relief of partial shade in hot climates.

Here is a list of 30 perennial flowering plants that grow well in partial to full shade.

  • 01 of 30

    Monkshood

    Monkshood plant with small white and purple-blue flowers hanging on thin stems

    The Spruce / Autumn Wood

    Monkshood is a perennial flower that likes full sun but does fine in partial shade. The plant is named for the shape of the deep purple-blue blooms that can last up to two months in late summer, appearing atop five- to six-foot stalks. This is an excellent plant for late-season color when most other plants have ended their bloom period. Monkshood has good resistance to pests and diseases, but in shady locations the plants might need to be staked to prevent toppling.

    • Name: Monkshood (Aconitum napellus)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7
    • Color Varieties: Purple-blue
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
  • 02 of 30

    Columbine

    Columbine plant with blue-purple bell-shaped flowers and buds on thin red stems closeup

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Butterflies and hummingbirds can't resist the delicate, nectar-filled blossoms of columbine. Many native species are available, but most commercial offerings are cultivars of Aquilegia vulgaris. The bell-shaped flowers come in a wide variety of color combinations. This is a very easy plant to grow in shade, and it often spreads by self-seeding. Growing about two feet tall, columbine usually blooms in late spring and early summer. Columbine is prone to leaf miners, but you can always cut back the foliage after it blooms.

    • Name: Columbine (Aquilegia spp.)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Red, yellow, white, pink, purple, bicolors
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 03 of 30

    False Spirea (Astilbe spp.)

    Astilbe

    49pauly / Getty Images

    The flower plumes of astilbe, also known as false spirea, bloom in the spring and summer in shades of white, pink, purple, ​and red. There are many different varieties, some growing as small as six inches high and others growing to five feet. These plants grow best in part shade but can also tolerate full sun or even full shade. They are heavy feeders and prefer moist conditions so don't let their soil dry out. Except for dividing your astilbe plants every three years or so, they require little effort.

    • Name: False Spirea (Astilbe spp.)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Pink, red, purple, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, moist conditions, well-drained
  • 04 of 30

    Black Cohosh

    Black cohosh plant with bottle brush-shaped clusters of white flower clusters and red flower buds on stalks closeup

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Also known as bugbane, black cohosh is a perfect perennial flower for shade. It blooms well even with little direct sunlight. It can easily reach six feet tall in one season and adds texture as well as height to a shade garden. The dense foliage gives rise to even taller stalks of bottle brush-shaped clusters of white flowers in late summer to early fall. Strong winds can damage this plant, so be sure to situate it in a sheltered spot.

    • Name: Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: White
    • Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium-moisture
    Continue to 5 of 30 below
  • 05 of 30

    Bleeding Heart

    Bleeding heart plants with light pink heart-shaped flowers hanging on stems closeup

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Bleeding heart is another flower that blooms well in deep shade. This plant is a spring bloomer, with the flowers lasting for several weeks, and it grows two to three feet tall. The flowers are delicate heart-shaped drops in shades of pink with white tips. Bleeding heart foliage usually dies back and disappears in the hot months of summer, but it should return the next year. Aim to keep its soil evenly moist but not soggy throughout the growing season.

    • Name: Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
    • Color Varieties: White, pink with white, or red with white
    • Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
  • 06 of 30

    Barrenwort

    Barrenwort perennial plant with royal blue and purple flowers

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Barrenwort is often dismissed as a slow-growing ground cover, but this plant deserves more respect for bringing lots of visual interest to the landscape. Its clusters of vivid flowers arrive in the early spring, and its foliage often emerges in spring in shades of red and gold, maturing to a deep green. Some varieties are evergreen in warm climates. This plant tolerates full shade, but it will bloom best in partial shade.

    • Name: Barrenwort (Epimedium spp.)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Red, orange, pink, yellow, blue, purple, white
    • Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
    • Soil Needs: Loamy, moist, well-drained
  • 07 of 30

    Primrose

    Primrose plant with cream-colored and yellow flowers on ground closeup

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Primroses are one of the first flowers to bloom in spring, as their botanical name indicates. (Primula comes from Latin for "little first one"). The bright blooms rise above the deep green foliage on sturdy stalks. These plants can handle some sun in the spring. But after temperatures warm up, they require at least partial shade. There are dozens of varieties available, and many are grown as annuals because they quickly succumb to warm weather.

    • Name: Primrose (Primula spp.)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: All colors except green
    • Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
  • 08 of 30

    Meadow Rue

    Purple flowers of meadow rue
    koromelena / Getty Images

    Meadow rue grows with a clump of blue-green, lacy foliage at its base. Then, the fuzzy flowers rise above the foliage in the late spring to summer. This plant can tolerate full sun, but it prefers a spot that receives dappled shade. In hot climates, this plant must have shade. It’s a fairly low-maintenance perennial, though it doesn’t like its roots disturbed.

    • Name: Meadow Rue (Thalictrum aquilegifolium)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Lilac-purple
    • Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
    Continue to 9 of 30 below
  • 09 of 30

    Lungwort

    Lungwort perennial plant with spotted leaves and small pink and purple flowers

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    Lungwort (also known as Bethlehem sage) is known for both its foliage and flowers. It blooms in the spring with flowers that start out pink but mature to blue. The dark green leaves feature spots of white. Full sun can burn or wilt the foliage, so partial shade is absolutely necessary. Prefers evenly moist (not soggy), well-drained soil. Do not let soil dry out

    • Name: Lungwort (Pulmonaria saccharata)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Pink maturing to blue
    • Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
    • Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained
  • 10 of 30

    Siberian Bugloss

    Siberian bugloss plant with small clump-forming blue flowers closeup

    The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

    A close cousin of forget-me-nots, Siberian bugloss is a clump-forming perennial flower for shade that grows to a maximum of 18 inches high. Its blue flowers appear in April and May, and its heart-shaped dark green leaves are attractive throughout the growing season. This is an excellent flower for mass plantings. It needs dappled shade because the sun can easily scorch its foliage.

    • Name: Siberian Bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Blue
    • Sun Exposure: Part shade
    • Soil Needs: Average, consistently moist, well-drained
  • 11 of 30

    Virginia Bluebells

    Virginia bluebells plant with small purple trumpet-shaped flowers on edge of stems closeup

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    Virginia bluebells are native wildflowers, and they're excellent perennial flowers for shady woodland gardens. Growing to about two feet tall, this clump-forming plant produces clusters of trumpet-shaped blue flowers in March and April. This plant is ephemeral, which means that its foliage dies back and disappears after the blooms fade. It requires at least partial shade but can also thrive in complete shade. Because these plants go dormant in summer, overplant them with annuals or with perennials that will fill in the gaps (such as ferns or hostas) once their foliage goes dormant.

    • Name: Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Blue
    • Sun Exposure: Part shade to full shade
    • Soil Needs: Average, medium moisture, well-drained
  • 12 of 30

    Solomon's Seal

    Solomon's Seal

    ValaGrenier / Getty Images

    Solomon's Seal are dainty, white fairy bells that dangle from the curving arch of a single, graceful stem. Plants grow to six feet tall, colonizing slowly and blooming for a short time in early to mid spring. The elegant foliage remains, adding interest to a summer garden. Flowers are followed by deep blue berries that attract birds and small mammals. Solomon's Seal is mildly toxic to people and pets.

    • Name: Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum biflorum)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
    • Color Varieties: White
    • Sun Exposure: Part to full shade
    • Soil Needs: Acidic, neutral, average
    Continue to 13 of 30 below
  • 13 of 30

    Hosta

    Hosta

    Catherine McQueen / Getty Images

    Hostas offer dozens of choices for leaf variation, flower color, and size. Clumping, decorative foliage is the main attraction, but bloom spikes, rising high above leaves in mid-summer, are just as notable. Hostas serve as a staple in shady areas where other plants fail to thrive, working equally well as ground covers and fillers for empty space. Hostas are toxic to cats and dogs.

    • Name: Hosta (Hosta spp.)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
    • Color Varieties: White, purple, pink
    • Sun Exposure: Shade, part sun
    • Soil Needs: Acidic, moist, well drained
  • 14 of 30

    Hellebore

    Hellebore

    Wirestock / Getty Images

    Few plants add winter and spring bloom and color to the shade garden like hellebore. In southern zones flowers appear as early as Christmas according it the common name Lenten or Christmas rose. Flowers nestle amid dark green, palm-shaped leaves with an attractive clumping habit and evergreen foliage adds year-long interest. Hellebore prefers shade in summer and sun in winter making it a great choice to plant under trees. Every part of a hellebore is toxic to people, dogs, cats and horses.

    • Name: Hellebore (Helleborus × hybridus)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
    • Color Varieties: White, cream, pink, purple, yellow
    • Sun Exposure: Shade in summer, sun in winter
    • Soil Needs: Alkaline, neutral, well drained
  • 15 of 30

    Lily of the Valley

    Lily of the Valley

    Jackie Parker Photography / Getty Images

    The spreading habit of lily of the valley creates an attractive ground cover and is as lovely grown in small groupings. Wide lily-like leaves appear from late March to early April with highly fragrant stems of delicate, nodding blooms in May. Foliage holds its place in the garden through fall but summer heat can give it a ragged look. Keep this shade-loving plant well watered and divide to control spread. Lily of the valley is toxic to people and pets.

    • Name: Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: White, pink
    • Sun Exposure: Shade, part sun
    • Soil Needs: Acidic, average, well drained
  • 16 of 30

    Toad Lily

    Toad Lily

    Michel VIARD / Getty Images

    Toad Lily's purple spotted petals, yellow centers and fringed stamens make them a standout in the fall shade garden. Foliage climbs the slightly crooked, two- to three-foot stems rather than forming clumps at the base like most lilies. Several types are available, some with variegated leaves. Blooms can form along the stem or in a grouping at the top of the plant depending on variety. Toad lily is toxic to dogs, cats and horses.

    • Name: Toad Lily (Tricyrtis hirta)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Purple
    • Sun Exposure: Shade, part sun
    • Soil Needs: Neutral, acidic, rich
    Continue to 17 of 30 below
  • 17 of 30

    Spotted Dead Nettle

    Spotted Dead Nettle

    Oleg Marchak / Getty Images

    The silvery leaves of spotted dead nettle, along with a matting growth habit make it a popular choice as a ground cover where other plants refuse to grow. Small, bell-shaped flowers with spotted lips appear in late spring and bloom off and on through fall. Foliage can be evergreen or semi-evergreen in warmer zones. Spotted dead nettle is listed as invasive in some states, so check with you local cooperative extension office before planting.

    • Name: Spotted Dead Nettle (Lamium maculatum)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Pink, purple, white
    • Sun Exposure: Shade, part sun
    • Soil Needs: Acidic, poor to average
  • 18 of 30

    Corydalis

    Corydalis

    mgfoto / Getty Images

    Spikes of long, tubular blooms appear above the lacy foliage of Corydalis in early spring and last through mid-summer. The small, colorful, trumpet-shaped flowers are prominent with leaves being a food source for the larvae of several butterflies. Considered a short-lived perennial, Corydalis self-seeds readily to hold its place in the shade garden for many years.

    • Name: Corydalis (Corydalis canadensis)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 7
    • Color Varieties: Yellow and blue are most common, pink, purple, white,
    • Sun Exposure: Shade, part sun
    • Soil Needs: Slightly alkaline, average
  • 19 of 30

    Spiderwort

    Spiderwort

    undefined undefined / Getty Images

    Three petaled flower clusters atop two- to three-foot stems and grass-like leaves identify the spiderwort plant. Blooms appear in late spring lasting through mid-summer, each one opening for a single day. Spiderwort self-seeds readily and sends up plenty of leaves and flowers to form a clumping habit similar to lilies.

    • Name: Spiderwort (Tradescantia spp.)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 12
    • Color Varieties: Purple, pink, blue
    • Sun Exposure: Full to part shade
    • Soil Needs: Acidic, rich, well drained
  • 20 of 30

    Vinca Minor

    Vinca minor

    Kebal Aleksandra / GettyImages

    In addition to being a dependable shade plant, vinca minor is also evergreen. This short three- to six-inch vining plant is commonly called periwinkle and establishes rapidly as a ground cover in difficult spots. Five petaled flowers bloom in March, early April and sporadically throughout the growing season. Vinca minor adapts easily to soil type and wet areas and is listed as invasive in parts of California. It is toxic to dog, cats and horses.

    • Name: Vinca Minor (Vinca minor)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Blue, lavender, purple, white
    • Sun Exposure: Part sun to full shade
    • Soil Needs: Neutral, average, wet
    Continue to 21 of 30 below
  • 21 of 30

    Indian Pink

    Indian Pink

    Richard Barrow / Getty Images

    Indian Pink is a striking wildflower native to the eastern and southeastern half of the U.S. Blooms with vibrant red throats topped by bright yellow star-shaped petals open atop 12- to 18-inch stems. Indian Pink can be slow to start but once established spreads nicely in small clumps to attract hummingbirds and pollinators. Flowers open from mid-spring to early June. Indian pink is toxic to people and dogs, cats and horses.

    • Name: Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Red, yellow
    • Sun Exposure: Part sun, part shade
    • Soil Needs: Alkaline, neutral, well drained
  • 22 of 30

    Wild Ginger

    Wild Ginger

    Marcia Straub / Getty Images

    You'll need to search for the small, unique flowers of the wild ginger plant, but this treasure is worth finding. Burgundy red blooms open for a short period in mid-spring hidden underneath foliage that lasts until frost. Heart-shaped leaves grow to about four inches and colonize quickly, making wild ginger a lovely ground cover for shady areas.

    • Name: Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7
    • Color Varieties: Dark red
    • Sun Exposure: Shade
    • Soil Needs: Acidic, rich
  • 23 of 30

    Goatsbeard

    Goatsbeard

    Wirestock / Getty Images

    If you want to add height to your shade garden, goatsbeard is an ideal choice. It has a clumping, shrublike habit, growing to six feet tall and two to four feet wide. Spikes of creamy white flowers open above foliage from late spring to early summer. Goatsbeard adapts to soil type but requires some morning or afternoon filtered sun for best flowering.

    • Name: Goatsbeard (Aruncus dioicus)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 7
    • Color Varieties: White
    • Sun Exposure: Part sun, part shade
    • Soil Needs: Acidic, neutral, alkaline
  • 24 of 30

    Wild Geranium

    Wild Geranium

    Jackie Parker Photography / Getty Images

    There are so many varieties of wild geranium, commonly called cranesbill, you're sure to find one to grow in your garden. Color, light and soil requirements, and hardiness zone can vary so look for a type native to your area. This is a dependable foundation plant for shade gardens, colonizing neatly in rounded groupings with pretty flowers in late spring through summer, depending on variety.

    • Name: Wild Geranium (Geranium spp.)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Blue, lavender, pink, purple, white
    • Sun Exposure: Full shade, part sun
    • Soil Needs: Slightly acidic, moist, well drained
    Continue to 25 of 30 below
  • 25 of 30

    Wood Poppy

    Celandine Wood Poppy

    Anne Lindgren / Getty Images

    The bright yellow blooms of wood poppy are one of the earliest to add a splash of color in spring. Coarse, deeply lobed foliage appears as early as February and is followed shortly by four-petaled flowers that continue through mid-summer and often rebloom in fall. Wood poppies grow best in filtered sunlight.

    • Name: Wood Poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Bright yellow
    • Sun Exposure: Filtered sun, part shade
    • Soil Needs: Acidic, rich, moist
  • 26 of 30

    Woodland Phlox

    Woodland Phlox

    Galina Sandalova / Getty Images

    Woodland phlox is a low growing, early spring wildflower with smallish one-inch flowers atop 8- to 12-inch stems. It makes a great filler plant set among yellow wood poppies and ferns where its delicate blue and lavender flowers draw the eye. A spring ephemeral, the bits of foliage die back in early summer. At home on the forest floor, woodland phlox grows best in dappled shade.

    • Name: Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8
    • Color Varieties: Blue, lavender
    • Sun Exposure: Dappled Shade
    • Soil Needs: Acidic, rich, moist
  • 27 of 30

    Shooting Star

    Shooting Star

    AndyKrakovski / Getty Images

    When shooting star nodding flowers open on tall stems, you know summer is on the way. This native ephemeral spreads slowly, but even one makes a lovely, unique, specimen plant in the late spring shade garden.

    • Name: Shooting Star (Dodecatheon meadia)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8
    • Color Varieties: White, pink, purple
    • Sun Exposure: Shade, part sun
    • Soil Needs: Slightly acidic, rich, moist
  • 28 of 30

    Dutchman's Breeches

    Dutchman's Breeches
    McKinneMike / Getty Images

    When the early spring garden is dotted with tiny white flowers rising above fern-like foliage, Dutchman's breeches is in bloom. The engaging flowers resemble an upside down pair of trousers, opening in March in abundant displays for several weeks before returning into the ground until next year. The right amount of dappled shade helps this ephemeral grow to a spread worthy of a fast-growing early ground cover. Dutchman's breeches are toxic to people and animals.

    • Name: Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7
    • Color Varieties: White
    • Sun Exposure: Filtered sun
    • Soil Needs: Neutral, acidic, rich, well-draining
    Continue to 29 of 30 below
  • 29 of 30

    Jacob's Ladder

    Jacob's Ladder

    Jose A Feliciano Cestero / Getty Images

    Jacob's ladder is one of easiest to grow, true blue flowers, adapting from part sun to almost complete shade. The fern-like foliage is attractive enough to stand on its own, and the addition of the dainty, bell-shaped flowers make this wildflower a favorite for shady spots. Jacob's ladder blooms from late spring into summer.

    • Name: Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium caeruleum)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9
    • Color Varieties: Blue, purple, white, pink
    • Sun Exposure: Part sun, part shade
    • Soil Needs: Neutral, acidic, well drained
  • 30 of 30

    Copper Iris

    Copper Iris

    Paul Starosta / Getty Images

    If your woodland garden is wet as well as shady, consider growing copper iris. Richly colored flowers are small and flat topped with drooping petals in shades uncommon to other irises. This wildflower features grass-like foliage and spreads through rhizomes. It blooms from late spring to mid summer, naturalizing in wetland areas with a little morning sun and afternoon shade. Copper iris is a nectar source for hummingbirds and butterflies.

    • Name: Copper Iris (Iris fulva)
    • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 11
    • Color Varieties: Copper, orange, red
    • Sun Exposure: Part sun, part shade
    • Soil Needs: Neutral, moist
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  1. Solomon's Seal. 6bc Botanical Garden

  2. Hungry For Hostas? Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners

  3. Helleborus. ASPCA

  4. Lily of the Valley. Mount Sinai

  5. Lily of the Valley. ASPCA

  6. Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant Lists, Dogs, Cats, Horses. ASPCA

  7. Vinca. ASPCA

  8. Spigelia Marilandica. North Carolina Master Gardener's Toolbox

  9. Indian Pink. ASPCA

  10. Dutchman's Breeches. Cornell Botanic Gardens