Shade can often be a challenging environment for plants to thrive in, but there are many beautiful varieties that actually prefer cooler, darker areas. If you’re looking to brighten up a shady corner of your garden or balcony, consider adding these eight plants that don’t need direct sunlight:
1. Bleeding Heart
Bleeding heart is a charming perennial known for its arching branches of heart-shaped blooms. These plants thrive in shade and produce delicate teardrop-shaped flowers at the bases of the blooms. With beautiful foliage and stunning flowers, bleeding heart adds a touch of elegance to any shaded garden.
2. Fuchsia
Fuchsias are another shade-loving plant that prefers cool, dark areas. These bushes produce graceful blossoms in warm temperatures and are hardy in Zones 7 and 8. Whether planted in hanging baskets or garden beds, fuchsias add a splash of color to shaded areas with their vibrant blooms.
3. Astilbe
Astilbe is a staple in shade gardens, thanks to its tough, long-blooming nature. These perennials produce fluffy flower heads throughout the summer months and feature mounded, fernlike foliage that adds texture to shady landscapes. Astilbe thrives in damp shade and is an excellent choice for adding color to dark corners of the garden.
4. Toad Lily
Toad lily is a unique shade-loving plant that blooms in late summer with jewellike white flowers adorned with purple markings. These plants thrive in full shade and naturalize easily, making them perfect for adding late-season color to shaded areas. With their exotic blooms, toad lilies are sure to turn heads in any garden.
5. New Guinea Impatiens
New Guinea impatiens are a must-have for shade gardens, thanks to their large, vibrant blooms. These perennials are perfect for containers and produce flowers in a wide range of colors, including pink, orange, and purple. With their long bloom time and low maintenance requirements, New Guinea impatiens are a popular choice for shaded landscapes.
6. Wax Begonia
Wax begonia is a low-maintenance shade plant that thrives in garden beds and containers. These compact plants feature thick, fleshy stems and blooms clusters of white, pink, red, or bicolor flowers. With their colorful blooms and attractive foliage, wax begonias add visual interest to shady areas of the garden.
7. Impatiens Walleriana
Impatiens walleriana, commonly known as busy Lizzie, is a shade flower that grows quickly in summer. These annuals are perfect for planting beneath towering trees or in hard-to-reach areas of the garden. With their cheerful blooms and easy care requirements, impatiens walleriana are a popular choice for shady borders.
8. Viola
Viola is a cheerful spring bloomer that thrives in shady border gardens. These plants produce happy faces of blooms that almost seem to smile at you as you approach. With their charming flowers and low maintenance requirements, violas are a delightful addition to any shaded landscape.
