These Shade Plants Will Brighten Any Dark Corner of Your Garden (2024)

Sometimes called "leopard plant," Ligularia is an excellent choice for any shade garden—and not just because deer don't enjoy eating it. "One of the other nice things about this plant is its striking, purplish-red leaves," adds Daryl Beyers, author of The New Gardener's Handbook. "There's another variety that features yellow, daisy-looking flowers, and yet another called 'The Rocket' that boasts spikier blooms." If you're looking for a plant with a large leaf structure, this might be your best bet.

Varieties to try: Desdemona, Britt-Marie Crawford, The Rocket

Hostas is a go-to plant for shady areas with moist soil. Primarily a foliage plant, the broad-leafed beauty can actually be very small or very large. "Sum and Substance is a variety that gets huge—about five feet across," says Beyers. "Meanwhile, Mouse Ears is really, really tiny."

Varieties to try: Halcyon, Sum and Substance, Mouse Ears

Spiderwort or Tradescantia, also called widow's tears, is a part shade—not deep shade—plant. It features a beautiful flower and can grow anywhere from a foot-and-a-half to two feet tall. "The variety Sweet Kate has unique, chartreuse-colored leaves, so I recommend checking it out," advises Beyers.

Varieties to try: Sweet Kate, Concord Grape

These spring bloomers tolerate some sun, but they prefer part to full shade, especially in the heat of summer. Some types are fragrant, too.

Varieties to try: Penny Purple Picotee, Johnny Jump-Up

Lacey, toothed leaves and feathery plumes of pink, white, red, or purple flowers bloom in profusion in early to midsummer. A little morning sun helps them bloom better.

Varieties to try: Younique Lilac, Milk and Honey

These little plants are also known as fairy wings or bishop’s cap due to the adorable shape of their flowers, which appear in early spring. They don’t like foot traffic, so plant them where they won’t be stepped on.

Varieties to try: Pink Champagne, Lilafee

Frothy-looking ferns are sturdier than they appear, popping up again after even the toughest winters. They like somewhat moist ground but are fairly drought-tolerant once established.

Varieties to try: Autumn, Japanese Painted

These evergreen plants produce unusual, long-lasting blooms in late winter or very early spring. Pick a spot and stick with it; they don’t like to be moved once established.

Varieties to try: Phoenix, Kingston Cardinal

Silvery, variegated foliage and yellow, pink, or purple blooms make this a great addition to the shade landscape. It’s not super fussy and does well in dry areas.

Varieties to try: Beacon Silver, Herman’s Pride

Lobed foliage with red or purple veins make this plant interesting. Floaty little flowers arise on long stems in late spring to early summer.

Varieties to try: Cutting Edge, Jade Peaco*ck

The intricate flowers (spotted like a toad!) are the reason to grow these little gems. They bloom mid-to-late summer to fall in a variety of spotted colors ranging from white to lavender.

Varieties to try: Purple Beauty, Raspberry Mousse

You'll fall in love with this exotic-looking flower that appears in early spring in white, purple, and various shades of pink. Its blooms often last up to six weeks. It’s an unusual landscape plant for warmer climates, or it can be overwintered indoors in containers.

Varieties to try: White Pearl, Kate

Grown primarily for its pretty ruffled foliage, this perennial's mounding habit shoots up small flower spikes with teeny flowers in spring to mid-summer. It will tolerate some sun, but its best color typically occurs in shade.

Varieties to try: Obsidian, Peachberry Ice

This perennial is grown for its striking foliage and graceful sprays of tiny blue flowers, which appear in spring. It’s a hardy, low-maintenance plant.

Varieties to try: Jack Frost, Alexander’s Great

Tubular lightly-scented spring flowers hang above finely-cut foliage. The plant may die back in summer and sprout again in fall.

Varieties to try: Purple Bird, Blue Line Couriblue

Charming sprays of heart-shaped flowers in early summer make this old-fashioned favorite a must-have. The flowers come in a variety of colors ranging from deep red to pink with lime-green to dark green foliage.

Varieties to try: King of Hearts, Valentine

This pretty ground cover blooms in early to late spring with small bell-shaped flowers and spotted foliage. It looks best planted en masse. The name comes from its historic usage to treat lung ailments!

Varieties to try: Raspberry Splash, Sissinghurst White

Although this perennial blooms well in full sun, it tolerates part shade, especially in hot climates. The tall spiked flowers are a standard in cottage gardens.

Varieties to try: Polkadot Princess, Foxy