One gardening complaint I hear often is from people who don’t think they have enough sun to grow anything in their yard. They have so convinced themselves of this that they have given up trying. Perhaps their heads are filled with visions of zinnias and sunflowers, but these folks don’t realize that they are missing some of the most beautiful plants in the garden by not familiarizing themselves with the many types of shade tolerant varieties.

Shade loving plants were among the first flowering vegetation to appear on earth. Some plants like rhododendron and magnolia are cousins to those primordial specimens that evolved in the shade of their taller neighbors.
Ornamental trees are the most prominent plant to provide color in the landscape. Dogwoods display flower bracts, either white or pink, in the spring, colorful leaves in fall and berries all winter. In shade under tall trees, dogwoods and shade perennials can be used to naturalize a shady area.

SHRUBS AND VINES
There are many shrubs and vines that can bring color to the shade garden, not only with flowers, but by producing berries in various hues. Rhododendron species are mainstays for shady areas throughout much of North America. Although deciduous, azalea provide a burst of spring color that makes its somewhat ordinary habit the rest of the year acceptable.

Hydrangea is another reliable shade shrub with long lasting blooms in summer of white, pink or blue. Flower color is influenced by the acidity of the soil with more acid soil producing blue flowers and alkaline soil pink flowers. There are climbing forms that will wind along walls or around trees.
Most flowering vines are sun lovers but a few will bloom in partial shade, including some species of clematis and honeysuckle.

HERBACEOUS BLOOMERS
No garden need be without visual impact since there are many shade loving perennials and annuals that bring color to the shade garden. Annuals are generally considered to be sun plants, but they can be successfully grown in dappled light or partial shade. Frequent fertilization and rich, composted soil will make your plants robust and bloom freely.

Impatiens are a dependable annual favorite of shade gardeners everywhere. They are available in many shades from white to red, purple and orange. They bloom vigorously and produces masses of flowers which require no deadheading. They can be grown in partial sun with plenty of water and provide large masses of color.

Ageratum is a tidy little plant that blooms profusely and reliably all season long in the shade garden. There is a tall growing variety that is perfect for cut flower arrangements. Begonia flowers from spring through frost with little care and comes in different leaf colors for foliage variety in the shade.

GROUND COVERS
Some of the most popular and colorful ground covers actually prefer the shade and perform well in all soil types. Vinca (periwinkle) will spread in the poorest soil, producing blossoms of white or blue. Heuchera (coral bells), a low growing perennial, displays unusual veined leaves with white spiky flowers. Several types of Epimedium (bishop’s hat) will blanket even dry shade and produce* yellow blossoms. Although not specifically a ground cover, hosta can serve to fill in shady borders and cover foliage from spring flowering bulbs.

UNIQUE QUALITIES
Although there are many diverse types, shade plants share some unique characteristics that have developed from the difficult conditions of their evolution. They often must adapt to areas congested with tree roots, as a result, most shade plant have shallow roots. Even large rhododendrons have a small and manageable root ball.
Shade lovers are also more sensitive than other plants to moisture levels in the soil. Many may require a layer of leaf litter or mulch to keep them from drying out. This trait makes the shade flower garden fairly low maintenance. In fall, only the heaviest drifts of fallen leaves need be removed, leaving in place a protective leaf cover. Many shade loving plants are self-sowing, meaning that if you don’t tidy up too much, you will have a new stock of seedlings to increase your plantings.

COLORFUL SHADE
Color plays an important role in attracting pollinators to your garden. Foraging bees respond most to blue and yellow and yellow is among the commonest color in shade blooming plants. The vivid red of cardinal flower, a climbing vine, attracts hummingbirds to its droopy blossoms.

Besides attracting pollinators, color plays an important role in the mood of the garden. Glowing yellow flowers in spring welcome the warmth’s return. Pastels and dark leaves cool us in summer and deepen the effect of shade beneath large trees. White flowers appear brighter in the shade garden and practically glow in the lower light. The same plant may produce markedly different color blossoms in shade and sun, so experiment with some favorites. Because shade softens contrasting flower colors, try using bolder combinations than you might otherwise try.

Shade gardening with the right plants is rewarding and produces a soothing garden atmosphere that is not possible in a sunny, open area. If areas of your landscape require shade tolerant plants, look forward to this opportunity to become acquainted with some of the underrated heroes of the garden.