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.
184118 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
Garden lovage
Levisticum officinale
Apiaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–9
1–1.5m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
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
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
Tree
Linden
Tilia cordata
Malvaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–7
15–20m
Blooms: Jul
Perennial
Tulip
Tulipa agenensis
Liliaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–8
0.3–0.7m
Blooms: Apr, May
Perennial
Garden parsley
Petroselinum crispum
Apiaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–10
0.2–1m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Perennial
Beet
Beta vulgaris
Amaranthaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 2–11
0.15–0.2m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Shrub
Common-briar
Rosa canina
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–9
1–3m
Blooms: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Perennial
Woodland Strawberry
Rubus oreades
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
0.1–0.2m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Garden currant
Ribes rubrum
Grossulariaceae
Full Shade
Medium
Zone 3–7
1–2m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Evergreen
Boxwood
Buxus gonocarpa
Buxaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 5–9
1–3m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Elder
Sambucus nigra
Viburnaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–9
1.5–4m
Blooms: May, Jun
Shrub
European Gooseberry
Ribes uva-crispa subsp. reclinatum
Grossulariaceae
Full Shade
Medium
Zone 5–8
1–2m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Bladdernut
Staphylea pinnata
Staphyleaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 5–8
3–5m
Blooms: May
Perennial
Alpine strawberry
Fragaria vesca
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–8
0.1–0.2m
Blooms: Apr, May, Jun
Shrub
Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–9
1.5–2m
Blooms: May, Jun, Jul
Shrub
Black currant
Ribes nigrum
Grossulariaceae
Full Shade
Medium
Zone 3–8
1–2m
Blooms: Apr, May
Tree
European hornbeam
Carpinus betulus
Betulaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
10–15m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
European Gooseberry
Ribes uva-crispa var. sativum
Grossulariaceae
Full Shade
Medium
Zone 3–8
1–1.5m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Common lilac
Syringa vulgaris
Oleaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–9
1.5–3m
Blooms: May, Jun
Shrub
magnolia
Magnolia compressa
Magnoliaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 6–9
2–4m
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.
Explore more themed guides