Themed plant discovery
Shade Garden Plants
Discover plants that thrive in part shade and full shade, from lush foliage to reliable long-season blooms.
Use this guide to build layered shade borders, brighten north-facing corners, and find dependable plants for low-light beds.
184186 plants found
Featured plants
24
Perennial
Giant herb-robert
Geranium maderense
Geraniaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 5–8
0.4–0.6m
Blooms: Apr, May, Jun
Perennial
Lady's Mantle
Alchemilla pseudothmarii
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
0.4–0.7m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Tree
Mazzard cherry
Prunus avium
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
10–15m
Blooms: Apr, May
Perennial
Garden lovage
Levisticum officinale
Apiaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–9
1–1.5m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Tree
Linden
Tilia cordata
Malvaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–7
15–20m
Blooms: Jul
Shrub
Hortensia
Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangeaceae
Partial Shade
High
Zone 5–9
1–2m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Perennial
Coralbells
Heuchera sanguinea
Saxifragaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–9
0.3–0.6m
Blooms: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Perennial
Evergreen
Breckland thyme
Thymus serpyllum
Lamiaceae
Partial Shade
Low
Zone 4–9
0.1–0.3m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Shrub
Evergreen
yew
Taxus media
Taxaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–7
1.5–4m
Grass
Bush grass
Calamagrostis epigejos
Poaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–9
0.6–1.5m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Perennial
Hosta pulchella
Hosta pulchella
Asparagaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–9
0.2–0.4m
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sep
Perennial
Great forget-me-not
Brunnera macrophylla
Boraginaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–8
0.3–0.5m
Blooms: Apr, May
Grass
Evergreen
Carex
Carex japonica
Cyperaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–9
0.3–0.6m
Perennial
Thunberg's astilbe
Astilbe thunbergii
Saxifragaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
0.5–1m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Tree
European hornbeam
Carpinus betulus
Betulaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
10–15m
Blooms: Apr, May
Perennial
Evergreen
Lenten-rose
Helleborus orientalis
Ranunculaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–9
0.4–0.6m
Blooms: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Dec
Tree
Evergreen
Yew
Taxus baccata
Taxaceae
Partial Shade
Low
Zone 5–8
10–15m
Tree
Japanese Maple
Acer palmatum f. latilobatum
Sapindaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 5–8
5–10m
Blooms: Apr, May
Perennial
Foxglove
Digitalis purpurea
Plantaginaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
0.6–1.5m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Perennial
European columbine
Aquilegia vulgaris
Ranunculaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–8
0.5–1m
Blooms: May, Jun, Jul
Perennial
Asian bleeding-heart
Lamprocapnos spectabilis
Papaveraceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–9
0.3–0.6m
Blooms: Apr, May, Jun
Shrub
Pomegranate
Punica granatum
Lythraceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 7–10
1–3m
Blooms: Jun, Jul
Shrub
European Gooseberry
Ribes uva-crispa var. sativum
Grossulariaceae
Full Shade
Medium
Zone 3–8
1–1.5m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Black currant
Ribes nigrum
Grossulariaceae
Full Shade
Medium
Zone 3–8
1–2m
Blooms: Apr, May
Why this theme works
Shade gardens succeed when foliage texture, flower timing, and hardiness are balanced around lower light. These plants help you build structure without fighting the site.
FAQ
What belongs in a shade garden?
Start with plants that match the core site conditions for a shade garden, then layer in foliage, structure, and bloom for a longer season.
How do I plan a shade garden?
Choose the right site conditions first, shortlist plants that fit them, and sketch the mix in Plantory before you buy anything.
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