Shadow beds are always a small challenge for hobby gardeners. After all, which plants thrive in the shade? Make no mistake, there are plenty.
In our garden we have a bed that doesn't get a single ray of sunshine all day long. It's almost always in the shade. So we need plants that grow particularly well in the shade. When we bought the garden, my mother-in-law said nothing would grow in this bed because it was way too dark. I proved her wrong and conjured up a beautiful bed that, after three years, is growing together really nicely.There are many great plants, perennials, grasses, ground cover, ferns and also deciduous trees that thrive wonderfully in partial shade and shade. With my very personal selection, you too will find the right plants for your shady spot in the garden.
If you have many shady and therefore dark corners in the garden, then it is best to spice them up with decorative elements such as garden ornaments and light-colored seating. This gives the shady spots that certain something. Then you can give the whole thing a finishing touch with shade plants.
Funkia (Hosta) for partial shade to full shade
Blossoming or evergreen perennials belong in every garden. There are also enough specimens for half-shady and shady areas, which do not mind locations with little sun. Hostas (Hosta) in particular - the attractive foliage perennials - are ideal for this.
| Name | Growth | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| Green-leaved Giant Funkie Hosta elata | 50 - 100 cm | • slightly glossy foliage • suitable as a cut plant • prefers partial shade |
| White-edged Hosta 'Albomarginata' Hosta undulata 'Albomarginata' | 40 - 100 cm | • long-lived • hardy perennial • suitable for beds and wood edges |
| Butterfly 'Great Expectations' Hosta sieboldiana 'Great Expectations' | 50 - 80 cm | • forms large clumps of leaves • suitable for shade and partial shade • undemanding and easy to care for |
| LargeBlue Leaf Funkie 'Big Daddy' Hosta sieboldiana 'Big Daddy' | 30 - 90 cm | • long-lived • robust • resistant to snails • deciduous |
| Gray-Leaf Hyacinth Funkie 'Hyacinthina' Hosta x fortunei 'Hyacinthina' | 40 - 70 cm | • robust variety • suitable for cutting • deciduous • extremely frost hardy |
| Lance Funkie 'Red October' Hosta lancifolia 'Red October' | 30 - 60 cm | • broadly lanceolate leaves • red stems, undemanding • clump-forming • sprawling growth |
| Golden-Leafed Hosta 'Aureomarginata' Hosta x fortunei 'Aureomarginata' | 40 - 70 cm | • suitable for partial shade and shade • very easy to care for • does not require winter protection |
Picture gallery: hostas for partial shade and shade
Green-leaved Giant Funkie (Hosta elata)
© Ivanka / stock.adobe.com
White-edged Hosta 'Albomarginata' (Hosta undulata 'Albomarginata')
© ovcerleonid / stock.adobe.com
Butterfly 'Great Expectations' (Hosta Sieboldiana 'Great Expectations')
© Mike / stock.adobe.com
Blue-leaf Funkie 'Big Daddy' (Hosta sieboldiana 'Big Daddy')
© Noel / stock.adobe.com
Gray-leaved hyacinth hosta 'Hyacinthina' (Hosta X Fortunei 'Hyacinthina')
© Oleg1824f / stock.adobe.com
Lance Funkie 'Red October' (Hosta Lancifolia 'Red October')
© svf74 / stock.adobe.com
Golden-Leafed Hosta 'Aureomarginata' (Hosta X Fortunei 'Aureomarginata')
©fine pics stock.adobe.com
Rhododendron for partial shade and shade
The rhododendron,Translated from the Greek with Rosenbaum, lives up to its name because the variety of flowers is almost immeasurable. While the demands on the garden soil are quite high (acidic, loose soil), many rhododendron varieties are less sensitive to the location. Most specimens are ideal for planting in partial shade and shade.
| Name | Growth | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| Rhododendron 'Flava' ® Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Flava' ® | 80 - 100 cm | • suitable for partial shade • very hardy • flowers staggered from May to June |
| Rhododendron impeditum Rhododendron impeditum | 35 - 45 cm | • dwarf • hardy • location sun to semi-shade |
| Japanese Azalea 'Maraschino' ® Rhododendron obtusum 'Maraschino' ® | 30 - 50 cm | • prefers well-drained, moist, acidic soil • suitable for rock gardens |
| Rhododendron 'Anuschka' Rhododendron yakushimanum 'Anuschka' | 100 - 140 cm | • small • hardy • hardy • evergreen |
| Rhododendron 'Moerheim' Rhododendron impeditum 'Moerheim' | 35 - 45 cm | • location partial shade • dwarf • hardy |
| Rhododendron 'Catawbiense Grandiflorum' Rhododendron hybrid 'Catawbiense Grandiflorum' | 100 - 140 cm | • strong and wide growth habit • very hardy • location semi-shade to shade |
| Deciduous Azalea 'Limetta' Rhododendron luteum 'Limetta' | 120 - 160 cm | • pure yellow flowers • no pruning necessary • hardy • location: partial shade |
Rhododendron picture gallery for partial shade to full shade
Rhododendron 'Flava' ® (Rhododendron Yakushimanum 'Flava' ®)
© ClaraNila / stock.adobe.com
Rhododendron Impeditum (Rhododendron Impeditum)
© alisseja / stock.adobe.com
Japanese Azalea 'Maraschino' ® (Rhododendron obtusum 'Maraschino' ®)
© Virginia /stock.adobe.com
Rhododendron 'Anuschka' (Rhododendron Yakushimanum 'Anuschka')
© guentermanaus / stock.adobe.com
Rhododendron 'Moerheim' (Rhododendron Impeditum 'Moerheim')
© alisseja / stock.adobe.com
Rhododendron 'Catawbiense Grandiflorum' (Rhododendron hybrid 'Catawbiense Grandiflorum')
© olga_v / stock.adobe.com
Deciduous Azalea 'Limetta' (Rhododendron luteum 'Limetta')
© pixs:sell / stock.adobe,com
Grasses for partial shade to shade
Grasses belong in every garden, because the often imposing plants set a varied accent between perennials and shrubs with their flowers in summer and the colored foliage in autumn.
| Name | Growth | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| Forest Simse Luzula sylvatica | 20 - 60 cm | • fast growing • evergreen • fresh to well drained soil |
| Japan Sedge Carex morrowii | 30 - 40 cm | • evergreen • dark green leaves • good ground cover • undemanding and easy to care for |
| Sedge 'Silver Sceptre' Carex morrowii 'Silver Sceptre' | 20 - 30 cm | • evergreen • slender growing • undemanding • overhanging foliage |
| Angle Sedge Carex remota | 20 - 30 cm | • winter green • robust and easy to care for • does not need to be pruned |
| Broadleaf Evergreen Sedge Carex plantaginea | 20 - 30 cm | • evergreen • light green leaves • perfect shade perennial • suitable for planting under trees |
Picture gallery: Grasses for partial shade and shade
Forest ledges (Luzula Sylvatica)
© progarten / stock.adobe.com
Japan sedge (Carex morrowii)
© nickkurzenko /stock.adobe.com
Sedge 'Silver Sceptre' (Carex Morrowii 'Silver Sceptre')
© Carmen Hauser / stock.adobe.com
Angle Sedge (Carex remota)
© hcast / stock.adobe.com
Broadleaf sedge (Carex plantaginea)
© rudzis / stock.adobe.com
Ground cover for partial shade to full shade
These ground covers are perfect for carpeting shady areas in the garden. Most of these perennials are easy to care for. Once planted, they will cover bare patches all by themselves through steady spreading.
| Name | Growth | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| Heart Mousse Flower Tiarella cordifolia | 10 - 20 cm | • lime green leaves • bronze to copper red in autumn • cushion-like growth • suitable for planting under trees |
| Small-leaved periwinkle Vinca minor | 10 - 15 cm | • evergreen • hardy • robust and easy to care for |
| Altai Bergenia Bergenia cordifolia | 20 - 40 cm | • evergreen • frost hardy, easy to care for • spread and bushy growing |
| Porcelain flowers Saxifraga x urbium | 5 - 20 cm | • hardy • perennial • evergreen foliage • star shaped flowers |
| Spotted Deadnettle Lamium maculatum | 15 - 20 cm | • evergreen • grows decumbent to upright • no pruning necessary |
| Red Leafed Bugle Ajuga reptans | 10 - 30 cm | • shiny reddish-brown-green foliage • light blue flowers • grows flat and carpet-like |
Picture gallery: ground cover for partial shade and shade
Heart-Leaved Foam Flower (Tiarella Cordifolia )
© Zanoza-Ru / stock.adobe.com
Small-leaved periwinkle (Vinca Minor)
© wiha3 /stock.adoeb.com
Altai bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia)
© Martina Simonazzi / stock.adobe.com
Porcelain flowers (Saxifraga X Urbium)
© skymoon13 / stock.adobe.com
Spotted deadnettle (Lamium maculatum)
© koromelena / stock.adobe.com
Red-leaved Bugle (Ajuga Reptans)
© skymoon13 / stock.adobe.com
Ferns for partial shade to full shade
Ferns bring something exotic to the ornamental garden and are still a feast for the eyes when other plants and perennials have already faded. In addition, you have little work with the "fronds", because most ferns are easy to care for and do not have to be cut.
| Name | Growth | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sea Pen Fern Blechnum penna-marina | 20 - 30 cm | • wintergreen • spreads out • must not dry out |
| Native Male Fern Dryopteris filix-mas | 50 - 90 cm | • evergreen • grows host forming • undemanding |
| Ostrich Fern Matteuccia struthiopteris | 80 - 120 cm | • forms horizontal runners • does not tolerate drought • deciduous |
| Forest Lady Fern Athyrium filix-femina | 50 - 90 cm | • hardy • robust and adaptable • perfect for planting under trees |
| Native Goldscale Fern Dryopteris affinis | 50 - 100 cm | • evergreen • grows arching and spreading • no special soil requirements |
| Polypody Polypodium vulgare | 20 - 40 cm | • carpet-like growth • evergreen • forms rhizomes |
| Maidenhair Fern Adiantum pedatum | 40 - 50 cm | • Soil should be rich in humus • Grows arching and spreading • Easy to care for |
| American Christmas Fern Polystichum acrostichoides | 40 - 50 cm | • hardy • undemanding • upright, clumpy growth |
| Fortune's Crescent Fern Cyrtomium fortunei | 40 - 60 cm | • perennial • prefers humus rich • well drained soil • evergreen |
| Red fern Blechnum spicant | 20 - 30 cm | • evergreen • grows best under tall trees or near rhododendrons |
| Soft Shield Fern Polystichum setiferum | 60 - 80 cm | • semi-evergreen hardy • does not tolerate long periods of drought |
Picture Gallery: Ferns for Partial Shade and Shade
Sea pen fern (Blechnum Penna-marina)
© skymoon13 / stock.adobe.com
Native male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)
© paolofusacchia / stock.adobe.com
Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia Struthiopteris)
© Ruckszio / stock.adobe.com
European lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina)
© Marlon / stock.adobe.com
Native Goldscale Fern (Dryopteris Affinis)
© lastpresent / stock.adobe.com
Polypodium vulgare
© Ruckszio / stock.adobe.com
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Pedatum)
© Martina / stock.adobe.com
American Christmas Fern (Polystichum Acrostichoides)
© Kyle Selcer / stock.adobe.com
Fortune's sickle fern (Cyrtomium fortunei)
©, simona / stock.adobe.com
Red fern (Blechnum Spicant)
© Anthony / stock.adobe.com
Soft Shield Fern (Polystichum Setiferum)
© I_love_life / stock.adobe,com
Forest perennials for partial shade to full shade
Forest perennials grow best in the immediate vicinity of trees and shrubs. These plants are suitable for partial shade and shade and usually show their flowers in early spring.
| Name | Growth | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| Waldsteinia Waldsteinia ternata | 10 - 15 cm | • hardy and evergreen • carpet-like growth • spreads out |
| Knotty Mountain Forest Cranesbill Geranium nodosum | 40 - 50 cm | • bee-friendly perennial • bushy growth • rhizomatous |
| Red Elf Flower Epimedium x rubrum | 20 - 40 cm | • Soil should be humus-rich and permeable • Cushion-like growth • Very good ground cover |
| Golden Nettle Lamiastrum galeobdolon | 20 - 30 cm | • evergreen carpet-like growth usable as medicinal plant |
Picture gallery: Forest perennials for partial shade and shade
Waldsteinia (Waldsteinia Ternata)
© Elena Terletskaya / stock.adobe.com
Knotty mountain forest cranesbill (Geranium nodosum)
© britaseifert / stock.adobe.com
Red Elf Flower (Epimedium X Rubrum)
© skymoon13 / stock.adobe.com
Golden nettle (Lamiastrum galeobdolon)
© Ruud Morijn / stock.adobe.com
Forest shrub elf flower - 6 popular varieties
One of the most popular woodland perennials for shady places is the elf flower, which comes in different varieties. Personal taste decides which ones can move into your garden.
Elven Flower 'Frohnleiten'
| Frohnleiten Elf Flower 'Frohnleiten' (Epimedium x perralchicum 'Frohnleiten) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 20 - 35 cmr |
| Growth: | 25 - 30 cm |
| Growth: | cushion-like, rhizomatous |
| Usage: | Wood edge, ground cover |
| Location: | Penumbral shade to full shade |
| Floor: | fresh to moist, well-drained, rich in humus |
Delicate Elf Flower 'Niveum'
| Delicate Elf Flower 'Niveum' (Epimedium x youngianum 'Niveum') | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 10 - 20 cm |
| Growth: | 20 - 30 cm |
| Growth: | cushion-like, clumpy, upright stems |
| Usage: | Stems, woody edges, ground cover |
| Location: | Penumbral shade to full shade |
| Floor: | fresh to moist, well-drained, rich in humus |
Delicate Elf Flower 'Roseum'
| Delicate Elf Flower 'Roseum' (Epimedium x youngianum 'Roseum') | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 15 - 25 cm |
| Growth: | 20 - 30 cm |
| Growth: | cushion-like, clump-forming |
| Usage: | Copse, woody edge |
| Location: | Penumbral shade to full shade |
| Floor: | permeable, rich in humus, acidic to neutral |
Elven Flower 'Galadriel'
| Epiflower 'Galadriel' (Epimedium x rubrum 'Galadriel') | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 20 - 35 cm |
| Growth: | 30 - 40 cm |
| Growth: | cushion-like, rhizomatous |
| Usage: | Group planting, shrubs, woody edge |
| Location: | Penumbral shade to full shade |
| Floor: | permeable, rich in humus, fresh to moist |
Sulfur Pixie Flower 'Sulphureum'
| Sulphur-colored Pixie Flower 'Sulphureum' (Epimedium x versicolor 'Sulphureum') | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 20 - 40 cm |
| Growth: | 25 - 30 cm |
| Growth: | pillow-like, clumpy |
| Usage: | Ornamental leaf perennial, shrubs, woody edge |
| Location: | Penumbral shade to full shade |
| Floor: | slightly dry, well-drained, high humus requirement |
Warley Elf Flower 'Ellen Willmott'
| WarleyElf Flower 'Ellen Willmott' (Epimedium x warleyense 'Ellen Willmott') | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | 20 - 40 cm |
| Growth: | 30 - 35 cm |
| Growth: | cushion-like, rhizomatous |
| Usage: | Foliage decoration, groundcover, woody border |
| Location: | Penumbral shade to full shade |
| Floor: | fresh to moist, well-drained, nutritious |
Deciduous shrubs for partial shade to shade
Whether evergreen or deciduous, many deciduous trees are also suitable for planting in shady areas in the garden. We can recommend these varieties:
| Name | Growth | Growth | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grape Heather 'Scarletta' Leucothoe 'Scarletta' | 30 - 40 cm | 60 - 80 cm | • evergreen, bushy dwarf shrub • hardy |
| Alpine currant 'Schmidt' Ribes alpinum 'Schmidt' | 100 - 250 cm | 80 - 180 cm | • compact growth • undemanding • suitable for underplanting |
| Pink Spire 'Pink Spire' Clethra alnifolia 'Pink Spire' | 200 - 300 cm | 170 - 200 cm | • deciduous • roots must not dry out • aromatically scented flowers |
| Shrub Ivy 'Arborescens' Hedera helix 'Arborescens' | 150 - 200 cm | 150 - 200 cm | • does not climb like common ivy • flowers from September to October • evergreen, hardy |
| Blackbell 'Debutante' Pieris japonica 'Debutante' | 70 - 100 cm | 60 - 90 cm | • evergreen • white flowers • suitable for small gardens |
| Glossary Bell Enkianthus campanulatus | 200 - 300 cm | 150 - 250 cm | • upright shrub • frost hardy • deciduous |
| Mahonia 'Winter Sun' Mahonia media 'Winter Sun' | 150 - 200 cm | 100 - 180 cm | • evergreen • slow growing • flowers in winter |
Picture gallery: deciduous trees for partial shade and shade
Grape Heather 'Scarletta' (Leucothoe 'Scarletta')
© gratysanna / stock.adobe.com
Alpine currant 'Schmidt' (Ribes Alpinum 'Schmidt')
© rsooll / stock.adobe.com
Scheineller 'Pink Spire' (Clethra Alnifolia 'Pink Spire')
© C.Razy / stock.adobe.com
Shrub ivy 'Arborescens' (Hedera Helix 'Arborescens')
© Konstanze Junghanns /stock.adobe.com
Blackbell 'Debutante' (Pieris japonica 'Debutante')
© artemstepanov / stock.adobe.com
Glossary bell (Enkianthus campanulatus)
© imageBROKER / stock.adobe.com
Mahonia 'Winter Sun' (Mahonia Media 'Winter Sun')
© Олег Кононов / stock.adobe.com
You see, there are many ways to plant in shady places. Just make sure you don't just water the areas of your garden that are exposed to direct sunlight during the hot summer months. Be sure to water the shade plants under trees regularly as well. The foliage often prevents enough rain from reaching the plants.