Our gardens bring life and color to our homes. But depending on the orientation of your house, the presence of trees, and other factors, sunlight may be inadequate or inconsistent throughout the day, which can sometimes make it difficult for plants to grow.
Dealing with a lot of shade in your yard? Fear not! Many shade-tolerant plants can be added to your space, whether you have a partially or deeply shaded yard.
Best plants for partial shade
If your lawn receives direct sunlight for most of the day but still experiences a few hours of shade, you should grow plants that do best in partial shade. Here are some of our favorites!
Heuchera (coral bells)
Heuchera, more commonly known as coral bells, are a great option for partially shaded areas—and you can find them in nearly every color imaginable. But that bright and beautiful foliage is more than just eye candy. The tall flower spikes are a favorite of crucial pollinators like bees and butterflies. Keep in mind: While they do bloom well in partial shade, their foliage color can become more vivid with the more sunlight they receive.
Hydrangeas
If you have a somewhat shady yard and like to walk outside and pick flowers for vases, then you should plant hydrangeas. Not only does this shrub thrive in a somewhat shady area, but it also looks absolutely beautiful while doing so. Hydrangeas can be found in a variety of colors, from white to shades of pink and blue, and since they’re perennials, this plant will continue to bloom year after year.
Columbines
Columbines enjoy partial shade and are a great way to add color to your garden. They can typically be found in hues of pink, blue, yellow, and purple, and their bright colors can attract some welcomed feathered friends, like hummingbirds, to your yard.
Best plants for partial to full shade
If your lawn receives mostly shade throughout the day, with just a few hours of sunlight, you should be growing plants that are tolerant of full shade. (Yes, they exist!) Here are some great choices:
Hostas
If you’re hoping to add some lush, leafy foliage to your shady gardens, hostas are a great option. They can tolerate partial shade all the way to full canopy cover. They look stunning massed out, especially if you mix different varieties and showcase the full spectrum of green and white shades. Finally, they offer some beautiful sights and smells with their fragrant white or lilac blooms.
Astilbe
Add some bright, beautiful colors and textural interest to the shadiest parts of your yard by planting astilbe. It stands out primarily for its tall, fluffy plumes that shoot up from delicate foliage. Mainly found in colors like white, pink, purple, and red, astilbe not only look great, but also they help to attract butterflies, bees, and other helpful pollinators.
Ferns
Everyone loves flowers in the garden, but there are actually some plants that turn heads with their leaves alone. For a look with more foliage and less flowering, ferns are a great option—and famously tolerant of heavy shade. They’re also super easy to grow, because deer and other pests generally leave them alone.
Cited sources
Find a Plant. North Carolina State Extension.
