Fall Plants & Flowers for Shaded Areas

Bugbane

• Bugbane (Cimicifuga ramosa) creates interest in the spring and summer garden with its rich purple, almost black foliage but come fall the foliage takes second place to fragrant creamy-white long racemes. Bugbane grows best in woodland conditions.

  Plant bugbane in dense or light shade in an area with moist, acidic soil that is rich in organic matter. The plant, depending on species, varies in height from 2 to 8 feet, with an average width of 2 to 4 feet. Bugbane is hardy in U.S. Department of Agricultural hardiness zones 3 through 7.

Japanese Anemone

• Japanese anemone (Anemone x hybrid) reach a mature height of 2 to 4 feet making them quite noticeable in the shade garden. The 2- to 3-inch single or double blooms in shades of pink, rose or white are a real standout. The key to success with these plants is a well-mulched root system is well mulched and consistently moist soil. They will do fine in intermittent shade.

  Mark the location where you are growing the plants. They are late to come up in the garden, so it is easy to assume they died and accidentaly dig their root system up. Japanese anemones are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8.

Monkshood

• Monkshood (Aconitum) is a great companion plant for Japanese anemone and it is deer-resistant. The blue or violet flowers the plant is so well-known for look good in combination with the pink, rose or white flowers of Japanese anemone. Some varieties of monkshood have yellow, ivory or pink flowers. The flowers appear from late summer through fall.

  Select a planting site in intermittent shade, in moist, well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. Monkshood is slow to establish and all parts of the plant are toxic. The mature height of this plant ranges from 3 to 5 feet, so plant it near the center or back of the shade garden border. Monkshood is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8, although some varieties do well in USDA hardiness zones 2 and 3.

Toad Lily

• Toad lily (Tricyrtis) is known for its small, polka-dotted, star or bell-shaped flowers that bloom from late summer to early fall. The flowers often persist for several weeks at a time. These plants are slow growers and take a while to establish in the shade garden. The mature height ranges from 1 to 3 feet tall. Plant toad lilies in dense shade, towards the front of the flower bed border.

  Incorporate leaf mold or other organic matter into the soil before planting. Toad lilies need moist soil, high in organic matter, to thrive. Mulch the root system well to help keep their roots cool and moist. Toad lilies are hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 9.