Full Shade Garden Plants

Improving Shady Locations

• When planting in a shady location, consider improving the soil and growing conditions of the area. Shade-loving plants have adapted themselves to succeed in the nutrient-rich soil of a forest floor. Such regions have sufficient leaf litter that breaks down to build compost. Add a layer of shredded leaves across the soil's surface at the time of planting. Earthworms and other natural processes will break down the litter to make abundant organic matter in the soil for the shade-loving plants to utilize. This helps recreate the forestland floor where shade-loving plants thrive naturally.

Planting Shade Garden Plants

• Full shade areas often lack adequate air circulation because of obstructing structures or large tree trunks. Poor air circulation can cause shade-loving plants to suffer from a higher incidence of diseases. When planting shade-loving plants, consider spacing each plant further apart, so it can get air circulation around its leaves as it grows. Pruning a tree's limbs higher can also help improve air flow for plants placed beneath the shade of a towering tree. Avoid using overhead irrigation methods which can expose the plant's foliage to periods of extensive moisture. Wet foliage provides an ideal breeding ground for fungal infections. Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation system in planting locations in full shade.

Bulbs

• Spring bulbs, such as crocus, daffodils, snowdrops and scillas, grow well in full shade provided by deciduous trees. The bulb's foliage emerges in the early spring prior to the tree's foliage. The plant has ample time to start accumulating enough sunlight to carry it throughout the year. Treat bulbs planted in the deep shade created from buildings, sidewalks and decks as annuals. Once the bulb has flowered, dig up the bulb and discard it because the plant's foliage will not receive sufficient sunlight to adequately bloom the following year. The tuberous begonia will grow in shady conditions. Lift the bulbs each fall and store in areas that receive inclement winter time weather.

Shade-Loving Perennials

• A wide selection of hosta plants grow well in full shade. The hosta, valued for foliage, also produces springtime blossoms. Some gardeners remove the hosta plant's flower heads to fuel the plant to generate more foliage. The black snakeroot will deliver flowers throughout the summer season. Coralbells also develop and flower well in full shade. Ferns provide greenery in shady locations. Goatweed, wild violets, Siberian bugloss and wild ginger provide a sufficient permanent ground cover beneath trees that have a shallow root system.