Types of Flowers for a Shaded Flower Bed
Plants and flowers naturally love sunshine. This makes gardening in a shady flower bed difficult. Luckily there are varieties of annuals and perennials that thrive in shady spots or tolerate them well. With the proper planning, plant choice and care, your shaded flower bed can be a bright spot in your yard.
The following is a list of common flowering, shade loving plants according to the University of Minnesota Extension:
- Wax begonias
- Impatiens
- Dwarf salvia
- Crocus
- Tulips (some varieties)
- Wild violets
- Hosta lilies
- Ginger
- Periwinkle
- Lily of the valley
- Columbine
- Coral Bells
- Bleeding heart
- Forget-me-nots
- Daylilies
- Jack-in-the-pulpit
- Jacob's ladder
- Virginia bluebells
- Grape hyacinth
- Daffodils
- Vinca
Other flowering, shade tolerant plants include the following:
- Astilbe which is similar to fern, but produces flowers.
- Monarch, or North American bee balm, produces red flowers.
- Rhododendrons are a small, flowering shrub.
- Flowering dogwood trees are comparatively small and flourish in shade.
- Hydrangeas are typically seen in pots, but grow to the proportions of a shrub in shaded areas. Their large bouquet groupings of flowers are eye catching.
- There are many varieties of astilbe and astilbe hybrids that produce vibrant blooms in the summer.
- Hosta is not a flower plant, but is available in a blue version, hosta hadspen blue that complements flowing plants and adds year round color to the bed.
- Variegated liriope is a large, clumping grass that complements flowering plants. It also produces stems of delicate purple flowers in the summer months.
Regardless of the shade plants you choose, make sure they can survive the climate in your geographic area. To do this, refer to a planting zone map. The United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, has an interactive plant zone map on their website. In order to optimize the success of your shady flower bed, only purchase and plant materials rated for your zone.