Shade-Tolerant Moist Soil Perennials

USDA Zones 3 and 4

• Giant Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum var. commutatum) is cold hardy to USDA zones 3 and 4, being native to much of the eastern part of North America. Its ideal setting is in moist ground in partial shade, notes the Missouri Botanical Garden. Giant Solomon’s seal grows as tall as 7 feet, but most are between 3 and 5 feet high. It generates arching stems and flowers shaped like bells. Hosta is always a reliable shade plant, with Hosta longissima being a Japanese species featuring straplike foliage. This perennial tolerates boggy soil if necessary, growing just 6 inches high and blooming during August and September.

USDA Zones 5 and 6

• Astilbe “Erica” is a perennial that will grow in USDA zones 5 and 6 in sun or shade, but it always needs wet soil. Like most astilbes, Erica produces more flowers in the sun, but it is still a viable option for shade. Erica grows to 32 inches, producing triangular plumes of light pink flowers from its reddish stems. Violet cultivars such as Columbine excel in moist, shady sites. Plant them in wet areas beneath deciduous trees in USDA zones 5 and 6, recommends Perennial Resource. This allows them sunshine as they return in spring, but shade from the tree’s leaves in summer.

USDA Zones 7 and 8

• In USDA zones 7 and 8, soils in the shade that never dry out are just the thing for the leopard plant (Ligularia dentate). Desdemona is a cultivar that forms clumps up to 30 inches wide, generating heart-shaped foliage and orange-yellow flowers that look like big daisies. Desdemona works well in mass plantings. Use the Japanese toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta) in shade and damp soil; it has interesting flowers flecked with purple spots. This perennial grows to 36 inches and is a late bloomer, flowering in August and September.

USDA Zone 9

• Heuchera “Mystic Angel” is a form of coral bells for USDA zone 9, growing best in partial shade. Mystic Angel grows to 12 inches and is evergreen in zone 9, producing white flowers that attract butterflies during late spring/early summer. The celandine poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum) goes dormant if the soil it is in dries out in summer, so use it in damp, shady settings. Celandine poppy features blue-green leaves and yellow flowers. This plant does well in humus-rich soils and is appropriate for shade and woodland gardens.