Plants to Put in My Shaded Planter

Plants for Height

• For a wild touch, plant coleus (Coleus spp.) as your tall central plant. This peacock of a plant drifts in and out of fashion, but recently has come into its own as a multicolored workhorse. The scalloped, arrow-shaped leaves come in mixes of burgundy, lime green, yellow, reds, pinks or all of the above. Coral bells (Heuchera hybrids) have delicate flower spikes all summer, but the heavily textured foliage is the main attraction--varieties have green, pink, gold, purple or pink leaves.

Plants for Depth

• To add fullness, color and charm, plant impatiens (I. walleriana). Nurseries produce this shade lover in nearly every flower color--other than golden yellow or true blue--and it fills in quickly to a height of 8 to 12 inches. Hostas (Hosta spp.) have bold, heart-shaped leaves and form neat mounds. Their deep green leaves may have white or soft yellow centers or edges, depending on the variety, and may even have a gentle twist that catches the eye. Plant a single large hosta variety in a circular planter for no-fuss elegance.

Cascading Plants

• Take advantage of the planter's design with a trailing or cascading plant. Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) is a full, trailing frost-tender perennial with large, heart-shaped leaves. Bright green and deep purple varieties add contrast and a lush texture, and it enjoys some sun. The popular variegated periwinkle (Vinca minor) catches the light with ivory and green oval leaves. In spring, periwinkle also produces trumpet-shaped flowers in lavender or white. Golden creeping jenny (Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea') cheers up shady sites with yellow-green leaves and sunny flowers in summer.

Concerns

• In winter, cold seeps into most planters and freezes the roots, killing the dormant plant. Perennials usually do not overwinter well in uninsulated planters. Instead of worrying about the state of your planter throughout the winter, plant annuals. Annuals give your planter inexpensive color and texture throughout the warmer months without the hassle of overwintering. To keep your planters ornamental in winter, wind a garland of holly or lay cut pine boughs on the planter, tucked with berries or pine cones.