List of Shade-Loving Plants

Lupine

• The lupine produces stalks of pink, yellow, lavender and white flowers, with some varieties producing bicolor flowers. Depending on the cultivar, the lupine grows between 18 inches and 5 feet fall, and it thrives in rich, slightly acidic soil. It is a useful plant to have in any garden, as it adds nitrogen to the soil. It is does very well in shade, and it puts down a long taproot, which can make later transplanting difficult.

Hosta

• The hosta is a popular shade plant with more than 2,500 varieties available. Although it does produce very small spikes of lavender and white flowers, the real attraction is the leaves. The leaves of the hosta can be solid or variegated, and they come in many shades of blue, green, white and gold. Choose areas that are largely shaded but still receive a small amount of morning sun. They do well in rich soils. Some hosta varieties are susceptible to slugs.

Coleus

• The coleus is an annual plant that produces spikes of pale purple or white flowers. There are more than 600 varieties that can be propagated from cuttings, with 30 varieties that can be grown from seed. The leaves may be solid or variegated, and they come in a wide range of colors, including yellow, orange, green, red and burgundy. Seedlings can be planted in the yard after all danger of frost has passed, or they can be started from seed about two months before the last frost date in the area. There are varieties of coleus for both sun and shade, so check the requirements carefully before you buy.

Lily of the Valley

• Lily of the valley is a flower that is an excellent ground cover for shady areas. It produces dangling bell-shaped flowers that may be white or pink, though there are cultivars that produce lavender flowers. After the flowers drop, the plant produces orange or red berries that remain throughout the fall, adding visual interest to the plant. The leaves may be solid green, or they maybe variegated with white stripes. Lily of the valley prefers full shade, and it does well in a rich, well-drained soil.