Dry Shade Plants

Red Barrenwort (Epimedium)

• Red Barrenwort is a colorful ground cover that can thrive in dry shade. It blooms red and white flowers during the months of May and June. Although this plant can survive in dry conditions, it will require watering once a day for the first two seasons to become established. The plant's green leaves are heart shaped and tinted pink during the spring, transitioning into a deep red in the fall. Red Barrenwort can grow 6 to 12 inches tall and spread 18 to 24 inches wide. Unlike some ground-cover plants, this plant does not spread out quickly and will like take at least 1-2 seasons to begin spreading. Red Barrenwort can be divided (cut at the roots) to avoid overgrowth in the spring and fall.

Sweet Woodruff (Galium odoratum)

• Sweet Woodruff is a versatile plant that can grow in many different environments and thrive in dry, heavily shaded areas, surviving with limited water. This perennial ground-cover plant blooms with delicate white flowers during May and June. Vibrant green pointy-tipped leaves cover all the plant's stems, creating a full and lush look. It can grow 5 to 8 inches tall and spread 18 or more inches wide. This plant tends to spread rapidly and will most likely need to be divided (cut at the roots) to avoid crowding your other plants in the spring and fall. Sweet Woodruff can be planted under trees, around shrubs and around larger shade plants, such as hostas.

Frances Williams (Hosta sieboldiana)

• Frances Williams is a large-leafed variety of hosta that can thrive in dry shaded areas under trees. Although it may take more than one season for this plant to become fully established, it can reach 24 to 36 inches tall and 48 inches wide. Frances Williams hostas bloom in July and August from tall, spindly stocks that shoot up from the leafy base of the plant. The flowers are somewhat bell shaped and pale lavender in color. The leaves are generally blue-green, edged in a yellowish shade. The leaves can grow to 12 inches long and 10 inches across. Frances Williams can be divided in the fall as needed.