6 Awesome Shade Loving Perennials (and 1 To Avoid)
Shade Loving Perennials For Your Midwest Garden
Let’s face it. Gardening in shade is challenging. In my experience, shade gardening is trickier than gardening in full sun. But fear not! That are plenty of incredible shade loving perennials that will thrive in your garden.
Today, I’m excited to share six shade-loving perennials that will not only survive, but shine in your garden. I’ll also reveal one shade-loving perennial that left me disappointed.
1. Adiantum Pedatum
(Northern Maidenhair Fern)
This hardy native fern, also known as Northern Maidenhair, thrives in zones 3 to 8. It prefers well-draining, organic-rich soil and grows 1 to 2.5 feet tall and wide in part to full shade. With its tropical-looking foliage and striking black stems, it adds texture and movement to any shade border. It’s low-maintenance and can even form large colonies over time.
I purchased my ferns from a local native nursery called Wildtype, located in Mason, Michigan. This wholesale nursery offers retail sale days during the spring and autumn. Check their website for details.
2. Epimedium Grandiflorum
(Large Flowering Bishop’s Hat)
Known for its resilience in zones 3 to 8, epimedium blooms in spring with dainty flowers that resemble Bishop hats. Hence their name.
Epimedium grows 8 to 10 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide in part to full shade, making it perfect for dry shade areas under trees.
This deer and rabbit-resistant plant is slow-growing but rewards patience with stunning spring blooms and attractive foliage. This is an amazing shade loving perennial.
3. Helleborus x Hybridus
(Lenten Rose)
These early bloomers (zones 4 to 9) are among my favorites for shade borders, often flowering alongside spring snowdrops. They stand 18 to 24 inches tall and 24 to 30 inches wide, thriving in part to full shade conditions. Hellebores make exquisite cut flowers and herald the arrival of spring in style.
4. Corydalis Lutea
(Yellow Fringed Bleeding Heart)
Brimming with bright yellow blooms from early spring to frost, corydalis lutea boasts delicate blue-green foliage. It reaches 9 to 12 inches tall and wide in zones 6 to 9, flourishing in part to full shade. While it does self-seed, these seedlings are easily managed, making it an excellent choice for any shade garden.
5. Polygonatum Odoratum
(Solomon’s Seal)
This herbaceous perennial, thriving in zones 4 to 8, features variegated foliage and delicate, drooping white blooms in spring. Another wonderful shade loving perennial.
Growing approximately 2 feet tall and wide in part to full shade, it remains a focal point even after its autumn foliage dies back. Solomon’s Seal is both deer and rabbit-resistant, adding grace to your shade garden.
6. Hakonechloa Macra ‘Aureola’
(Variegated Japanese Forest Grass)
Voted the 2009 Perennial Plant Association’s Plant of the Year, this grass thrives in zones 5 to 9, tolerating mostly sunny to full shade conditions.
It grows 12 to 18 inches tall with a spread of 18 inches, offering year-round interest with its color changes throughout the seasons—from purple-tinged autumn hues to elegant winter browns.
Heuchera ‘Fire Alarm’
While visually stunning with its vibrant foliage, Heuchera ‘Fire Alarm’ didn’t fare well in my garden. Preferring zones 4 to 9 and adaptable to full sun or shade, this plant requires excellent drainage. Unfortunately, my garden’s conditions didn’t provide the necessary drainage, leading to disappointment despite its beautiful foliage. Every plant I had died during winter.
Growing Beautiful Shade Loving Perennials
Shade gardening may seem daunting, but with the right plants, you can turn those tricky, low-light areas into beautiful, thriving spaces. The perennials I’ve shared today are not only perfect for shade, but they also bring texture, color, and interest to your garden all year long.
And while not every plant will thrive in every garden, it’s important to experiment and find what works best in your space. Have you had any success with shade-loving perennials? Or maybe you’ve learned the hard way about certain plants that just don’t make the cut? I’d love to hear about your experiences—leave a comment below and share your thoughts! Happy gardening!
