Perennials come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. They are prominently used to beautify landscapes and attract pollinators to the garden.
While most perennial plants are hardy and survive outdoor climates, few perennials grow in shade.
If you’re wondering how to make use of the shady and unused space in your backyard, then these perennials are the best option. They can enhance the aesthetic appeal of your garden and attract beneficial insects.
Perennials grown in partial shade or shady regions produce blooms and foliage as stunning as sunbathed plants. With minimal maintenance, these plants are ideal for new and experienced gardeners.
Before selecting perennial plants, determine the type of shady area in your garden. Will the plant receive dappled light, partial shade, or full shade?
Understand Different Types of Shade
To grow perennials successfully, you must understand different types of shade.
Dappled light
Dappled light happens when sunlight filters through trees or other objects, creating a mix of light and shadow on the ground. This type of light is common in wooded areas, under tree canopies, or near tall shrubs.
It is softer than direct sunlight but brighter than full shade, providing a gentle and ever-changing pattern of light. Many plants that grow in forests or shaded gardens, like ferns, hostas, and woodland flowers, thrive in dappled light because they get enough sun without being exposed to harsh rays.
Partial Shade
Partial shade means a plant gets sunlight for part of the day, usually around 3 to 6 hours, often in the morning or late afternoon.
This type of light is common in gardens with trees, fences, or buildings that block the sun for part of the day.
Many plants, such as coral bells, columbine, and foxglove, do well in partial shade because they receive some sunlight but are protected from the strongest midday sun.
Full Shade
Full shade means a plant gets less than 3 hours of direct sunlight a day, often under thick trees, along north-facing walls, or in deep woodland areas.
Plants that thrive in full shade, like ferns, wild ginger, and barrenwort, are adapted to low-light conditions and grow well without much sun.
Instead of relying on direct light, they often have large leaves to capture as much light as possible.
23 Best Perennials to Grow in Shady Region
Start by choosing any one perennial that can easily adapt to your shady region.
1. Hosta
Hosta is a striking shade-loving perennial known for its bold foliage. It features broad, heart-shaped, dark green leaves edged with crisp white margins, creating a dramatic contrast.
In summer, delicate lavender flowers rise above the foliage on tall stems, adding an elegant touch. This low-maintenance plant thrives in shady borders, woodland gardens, or container plantings.
Hardiness: 3-9
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Summer
Also Read: 23 Best Winter Blooming Flowers for a Colourful Winter Garden
2. Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata (Woodland Phlox) is a charming, shade-loving perennial that forms low, spreading clumps of semi-evergreen foliage.
In spring, it produces fragrant, starry, lavender-blue flowers that attract pollinators. Ideal for woodland gardens, shaded borders, or naturalized areas, this native beauty thrives in moist, well-drained soil.
Hardiness: 3-8
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Spring
3. Japanese Painted Fern
Athyrium niponicum var. pictum (Japanese Painted Fern) is a stunning deciduous fern with elegantly arching fronds brushed with silvery-gray, green, and burgundy hues.
This delicate-looking but hardy fern adds texture and color to shaded gardens, woodland settings, and moist borders.
Hardiness: 3-8
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
4. Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis (Wild Columbine) is a graceful perennial featuring nodding, red and yellow, bell-shaped flowers that attract hummingbirds in spring.
Its delicate, fern-like foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season. It is perfect for woodland gardens, rock gardens, and shaded borders.
Hardiness: 3-9
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Full Sun
Seasons: Spring, Early Summer
Check this: How to Care Orchid After Flowering?
5. Hellebore ‘Onyx Odyssey’
Helleborus’ Onyx Odyssey’ is a striking shade perennial with deep black-purple, double flowers that bloom from late winter to early spring.
Its evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, making it an excellent choice for shaded borders, woodland gardens, and containers.
Hardiness: 4-9
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Late Winter, Early Spring
6. Autumn Fern
Dryopteris erythrosora (Autumn Fern) is a semi-evergreen fern with coppery-orange new fronds that mature to deep green.
This lush, shade-loving fern provides year-round interest and thrives in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and moist, rich soil.
Hardiness: 5-9
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
7. Bugleweed
Ajuga reptans (Bugleweed) is a vigorous, low-growing ground cover with striking foliage and spiky blue flowers in spring.
Its evergreen leaves are green, bronze, or purple in shade, making it a great option for erosion control, shaded borders, or stepping stones.
Hardiness: 3-10
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Spring
8. Lungwort
Pulmonaria spp. (Lungwort) is a shade-loving perennial with attractive, silver-speckled foliage and clusters of pink, blue, or purple flowers in early spring.
Its mildew-resistant leaves provide long-lasting interest, making it perfect for woodland gardens and shady borders.
Hardiness: 3-8
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Early Spring
Also Read: 17 Lavender Companion Plants to Grow in Garden
9. Epimedium
Epimedium spp. (Barrenwort) is a tough, shade-tolerant ground cover with delicate, heart-shaped foliage that turns bronze in fall.
In spring, it produces airy clusters of tiny, spurred flowers in shades of yellow, pink, purple, or white. Excellent for dry shade and woodland gardens.
Hardiness: 4-9
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Spring
10. Barrenwort
Epimedium x perralchicum ‘Frohnleiten’ (Barrenwort) is a resilient ground cover with semi-evergreen, heart-shaped foliage that develops a bronze tint in fall. In spring, bright yellow, star-like flowers dance above the foliage, adding delicate charm to shaded gardens.
Hardiness: 4-8
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Spring
11. Spiderwort
Tradescantia virginiana (Spiderwort) is a clump-forming perennial with grass-like foliage and vibrant purple, three-petaled flowers that open in the morning and close by afternoon. This adaptable plant thrives in moist, shaded borders or woodland edges.
Hardiness: 4-9
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Full Sun
Seasons: Late Spring, Summer
12. Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells) is a spring ephemeral with nodding clusters of bell-shaped, sky-blue flowers that fade to soft pink as they mature. This native wildflower thrives in rich, moist woodland gardens, disappearing after blooming but returning each year.
Hardiness: 3-8
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Spring
13. Phacelia
Phacelia bipinnatifida (Fernleaf Phacelia) is a striking woodland native with deeply cut foliage and clusters of lavender-blue, bell-shaped flowers in spring. This pollinator-friendly perennial thrives in shaded gardens and naturalized areas.
Hardiness: 4-8
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Spring
14. Northern Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum pedatum (Northern Maidenhair Fern) is a delicate, clump-forming fern with feathery, fan-shaped fronds on wiry black stems. Its airy, graceful appearance makes it stand out in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and moist, rich soil.
Hardiness: 3-8
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall
15. Green-and-Gold
Chrysogonum virginianum (Green-and-Gold) is a low-growing, semi-evergreen ground cover with cheerful, starry yellow flowers in spring and sporadically throughout summer. It forms dense mats of bright green foliage, perfect for shaded gardens and borders.
Hardiness: 5-9
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Spring, Summer
Also Read: 19 Best Indoor Flowering Plants
16. Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger) is a shade-loving ground cover with velvety, heart-shaped foliage and hidden maroon flowers beneath the leaves. It spreads slowly to form lush carpets, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens and moist shade.
Hardiness: 3-8
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Spring
17. Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia (Foamflower) is a charming woodland perennial with frothy spikes of white or pale pink flowers in spring and deeply lobed, semi-evergreen foliage that turns reddish in fall. It thrives in shady borders, woodland gardens, and moist soils.
Hardiness: 3-9
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Spring
18. Viola
Viola odorata (Sweet Violet) is a fragrant, low-growing perennial with heart-shaped leaves and delicate purple, white, or blue flowers in early spring. It spreads gently to form charming ground cover in woodland gardens and shaded borders.
Hardiness: 4-9
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Early Spring
19. Astilbe
Astilbe chinensis (Astilbe) is a shade-loving perennial with feathery, plume-like flower spikes in shades of pink, red, white, or purple. Its fern-like foliage remains attractive throughout the season, making it perfect for shady borders and moist woodland gardens.
Hardiness: 4-9
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Summer
20. Lamium
Lamium maculatum (Spotted Deadnettle) is a spreading, semi-evergreen ground cover with variegated foliage and clusters of pink, purple, or white flowers in spring. It thrives in shaded areas and provides season-long interest.
Hardiness: 3-8
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Spring, Summer
21. Heuchera
Heuchera spp. (Coral Bells) is a versatile perennial prized for its colorful, ruffled foliage in shades of green, purple, silver, and red.
Delicate, bell-shaped flowers rise on wiry stems in late spring, attracting pollinators. Perfect for shaded borders, rock gardens, and containers, Heuchera adds texture and year-round interest.
Hardiness: 4-9
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Full Sun
Seasons: Spring, Summer
22. Bergenia
Bergenia cordifolia (Pigsqueak) is a bold, shade-loving perennial with thick, glossy, evergreen leaves that turn bronze in fall.
Clusters of pink flowers emerge in early spring, providing early-season interest in woodland gardens and shaded borders. The leaves make a distinctive squeaking sound when rubbed, giving it its common name.
Hardiness: 3-8
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Spring
23. Ligularia
Ligularia dentata (Leopard Plant) is a dramatic shade perennial with large, bold, round leaves and tall spikes of golden-yellow, daisy-like flowers in mid to late summer. It thrives in moist soils and provides a striking presence in woodland gardens, shaded borders, and near water features.
Hardiness: 4-8
Sunlight: Partial Shade, Shade
Seasons: Summer
Conclusion
Shade-loving perennials add beauty, texture, and seasonal interest to low-light gardens. From bold foliage plants like Hosta and Heuchera to delicate blooms of Columbine and Woodland Phlox, these perennials thrive in partial to full shade.
Ferns, Lungwort, and Foamflower provide long-lasting greenery, while Hellebores and Virginia Bluebells offer early-season color.
Many also support pollinators and require minimal care, making them perfect for woodland gardens and shaded borders. By mixing varieties, you can create a lush, dynamic landscape that thrives year-round.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting