Shade-Loving Perennials

Published on
February 20, 2023 at 11:31:55 AM PST February 20, 2023 at 11:31:55 AM PSTth, February 20, 2023 at 11:31:55 AM PST

Perennials are plants that come back every year. Perennials look great when planted with other perennials, complimented with annual flowers, or placed near trees or shrubs. Here are some more tips to consider when creating your perennial garden.


  • Choose perennials with varying heights.
  • Plant taller perennials to the back and shorter ones to the front.
  • Select types of plants that bloom at different times of the season.
  • A mixture of spring blooms with summer blooms makes a great look.
  • Choose one color scheme or a complimenting mixture – no right or wrong, just your preference.
  • Plant a mass of the same kind of perennials for more of an impact.


Our Favorite Shade Perennials:

Astilbe Fanal Red
Perennial
Partial to Full Shade
24" tall, 24" wide

• Red plume flowers in summer
• Medium-fast growth rate

Bleeding Heart
Perennial
Partial to Full Shade
3' tall, 3' wide

• Pink/red flowers early to late spring
• Moderate growth rate



Brunnera, Jack Frost
Perennial
Partial to Full Shade
12-14" tall, 12-18" wide

• Blue flowers in spring
• Medium growth rate

Columbine
Perennial
Partial to Full Shade
14-24" tall, 12-20" wide

• Early spring to summer blooms
• Moderate growth rate



Coral Bells, Plum Pudding
Perennial
Partial to Full Shade
8" tall, 8-12" wide

• White flowers in early summer
• Medium growth rate



Fern
Perennial
Partial to Full Shade
2-3' tall, 2-3' wide

• Prized for foliage
• Slow growth rate



Hosta, Guacamole
Perennial
Partial to Full Shade
12-18" tall, 30" wide

• Lavender flowers mid-summer
• Medium growth rate



Lamium
Perennial
Partial to Full Shade
6" tall, 10" wide

• Purple flowers spring to summer
• Fast growth rate