What perennials grow best in shade?

Hostas, hardy geraniums, Brunnera, ferns and Pulmonaria all do well; in shade they earn their place as much on foliage as on flower.

Do perennials flower in shade?

Yes, though less freely than in sun. Many shade perennials are woodlanders that flower in spring before the tree canopy closes, then carry on with their foliage.

Border Builder

Perennials for shade

Border perennials that flower happily out of direct sun.

Shade itself is workable for perennials; the real question is how much moisture comes with it. Dry shade under trees is hard, but most border shade is manageable once you stop expecting the big, sun-driven flower displays. In low light, perennials grow more slowly and flower less, so the planting earns its keep on foliage: bold leaves, fine ferny texture and good ground cover that smothers weeds. Plant in autumn or spring, enrich with leaf mould, and keep new plants watered through their first summers. The perennials below thrive in reduced light, many of them woodlanders that flower in the brighter weeks of spring before the canopy closes, then carry the border on handsome foliage through the rest of the season.

Border Builder is a garden border planner for iPhone and iPad. Pick from the 156 plants below and it works them into a full plan: how many of each, where they go, and how the bed reads through the seasons.

156 plants for this

Common questions

What perennials grow best in shade?: Hostas, hardy geraniums, Brunnera, ferns and Pulmonaria all do well; in shade they earn their place as much on foliage as on flower.
Do perennials flower in shade?: Yes, though less freely than in sun. Many shade perennials are woodlanders that flower in spring before the tree canopy closes, then carry on with their foliage.

Related collections

Perennials for borders Perennials for full sun