Perennials in Front of Shrubs

Ground Covers

• Creeping fleeceflower (Persicaria vacciniifolia) and Siberian bugloss (Brunnera macrophylla) are good ground covers for in front of and around shrubs. Expect short spikes 6 to 8 inches tall covered in tiny rose-pink blossoms from early summer through midsummer, when you plant creeping fleeceflower. Tolerant of rocky soil, this perennial grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. When you plant Siberian bugloss, enjoy delicate sprigs of light blue flowers from mid- to late spring atop stems 12 to 18 inches tall . Excellent for full to partial shade, it's right at home in USDA zones 2 through 9.

In Front of Tall, Dark Shrubs

• Giant desert candle (Eremurus robustus) and strawberry foxglove (Digitalis x mertonensis) are just the right choice in front of a hedge of tall dark shrubs. Giant desert candle bears fragrant, pale pink bottlebrush flowers on stems 5 to 10 feet tall from June through July in USDA zones 5 through 8. A winner for sandy loams, this bulb tolerates drought. Strawberry foxglove bears fragrant, ostentatious, coppery-rose blossoms on stalks 3 to 4 feet tall from May through June in USDA zones 4 through 8. This perennial performs best in sites with moist, acidic soil in partial shade.

For Clay Soil or Near Black Walnut Trees

• Snowdrop “Flore Pleno” (Galanthus nivalis “Flore Pleno”) and summer snowflake (Leucojum aestivum) are outstanding bulbs for clay soil or near black walnut trees and bear white flowers. Superb in front of evergreen shrubs, “Flore Pleno” puts out a lively display of double blossoms in February to March atop stems 6 to 9 inches tall. It’s easy to grow in sites with moist soil and partial shade in USDA zones 3 through 7. The nodding white flowers on summer snowflake come out in April and look best planted in groups of about 15. This bulb grows 1 to 1-1/2 feet tall in USDA zones 4 through 8.

Tolerates Drought and Dry Soil

• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) and Persian violet (Cyclamen hederifolium) require minimal irrigation because they tolerate drought and dry soil. Spider plant performs best in lightly shaded sites with bright indirect sunlight in USDA zones 9 through 11. It grows 1 to 2 feet tall and its plantlets will cascade over retaining walls. Persian violet is a fall bloomer for USDA zones 5 through 9 that has pinkish blossoms in September to October. It grows 3 to 6 inches tall and appreciates a site in partial shade with moist soil.