Garden Plants for Partial Sun

Common Perennials

• Many perennial plants provide color in partially shady spots. Among the well-known perennials that prefer partially shady locations is hosta, which is available in many varieties. Two other common perennials for partially sunny areas are astilbe and heuchera, which is also known as coral bells.

Less Common Perennials

• Dig deeper at a garden center and you'll find additional shade-loving plants that aren't as well known, such as ligularia, which has large leaves and spikes of yellow flowers. Aruncus, also known as goat's beard, features dark green foliage and showy, plumelike spikes of tiny, cream-colored flowers that rise well above the foliage in early to mid-summer, creating a bold effect.

  Cimicifuga is a tall perennial with arching wands or bottle-brush spikes of fragrant pale-pink flowers that rise above the clump in early fall. It is used for cutting. Anemone "windflowers" add architecture to a garden in late summer. Acanthus "Bear's Breeches" is prized for its bold clumps of shiny green leaves topped with striking, 3-foot-tall spires of white flowers, which are clasped by showy purple bracts. This plant is an eye-catching structural element in a partially sunny border.

Ferns

• Ferns for partially sunny or shady areas include ostrich ferns, which are tall. Staying green all year, the Christmas fern is a low-to-the-ground woodland fern. Another woodland fern that provides color is the autumn fern, which has orange hues. The Japanese painted fern adds white, cream, purples and greens to the mix.

Texture, Color, Shape and Size

• Consider texture as well as color when you plant a partially sunny garden. Playing with different greens as well as leaf shape and size really brings out the different plants you showcase. Partial shade is not an enemy. In fact, shade is the most attractive spot in which to relax. Moss boulders and a relaxing bench enhance such a location. It may become your favorite spot in the yard.