If your yard or garden space doesn’t get much sun during the day, it’s valuable to know the best plants for shade. There are plenty of plant options with colorful flowers and foliage that make perfect additions to a shady garden. Here is a quick guide to some of the best plants for shade gardens:
Hosta
Hosta is a favorite among gardeners for its dramatic, variegated foliage. Hosta leaves come in every shade of green as well as yellow, white and even blue. While primarily grown for its impressive leaves, this shade garden favorite also produces flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Hosta is adaptable and hardy when it comes to light requirements, flourishing in partial shade, deep shade and everything in between.
Coral Bells
Coral bells are some of the most popular shade plants because of their bountiful, vibrant leaves. Once established, this shade plant favorite is extremely low-maintenance and only needs occasional watering.
Coral bells bloom and attract hummingbirds to shade gardens, but their yellow, lime green, apricot, peach and bright red foliage makes them perfect plants for any gardener wanting to add bold colors to dark corners of the garden.
Bee Balm
Bee balm, also called wild bergamot because of its fragrant leaves, has dramatic blooms perfect for brightening up a shade garden. While bee balm thrives in full shade, it’s important to plant this perennial somewhere with plenty of airflow to prevent powdery mildew.
You can plant bee balm during the spring or early summer and enjoy the amazing pink, red and purple flowers all season.
Many of the most colorful plants with variegated foliage or vibrant blooms thrive in direct sun. However, these are some excellent options for adding color and variety to your shade garden. With moist soil and moderate temperatures, these shade plants are the perfect additions to consider.
About the Author
Diana Hellman
Diana Hellman's passion for Larchmont inspires her more than 20 year real estate practice. As a certified buyer's representative, "The development of a solid and trusting relationship with my buyers and sellers is what I strive for." This success, primarily built on client referrals and repeat business, comes from her knowledge of what makes Larchmont unique: it's school system, recreational facilities, services and the special qualities that pervade this village's atmosphere. A former educator with a background in psychology, Diana knows that people don't want a sales pitch, but rather reliable, timely information. She and her husband have been residents of Larchmont for over 40 years. Her 3 children have attended the Mamaroneck Public Schools. She can give you expert advice with the sale or purchase of your home. Awards/Distinctions Multi-million dollar club- Westchester Board of Realtors International Diamond Society (8 million plus in sales), 5-Star agent in 2024. Gold Award- WBR (5-8 million dollars in sales) Silver Award – WBR (3-5 million dollars in sales) Memberships National Association of Realtors New York State Association of Realtors Westchester Board of Realtors Westchester Multiple Listing Service Community Former executive board member of the Central School Former selection school delegate for election of school board candidates Former executive board member of the Friends of the Emelin Theatre Former executive board member of the League of Women Voters