Brighten up shady areas of your yard with these reliable perennials

 Perennials for Shade

Although shady garden areas have a reputation for being limited in the types of plants you can grow, there is actually a wide range of choices. Some shade-loving perennials are grown primarily for their ornamental foliage, while others are valued for their attractive flowers. There are different types of shade, including morning shade, afternoon shade, filtered shade, or deep shade. The type of shade you have will help you determine the best plants to grow. Create a changing landscape with seasonal interest by adding some of these shade-loving perennials to your yard.

1. ASTILBE

Also known as false spirea, attractive flower spikes come in shades of red, pink, purple, and white above lacy leaves. Astilbe prefers moist soil and blooms best in partial sun. Use as a ground cover, in a woodland mixed border, or in containers.

2. BARRENWORT

Bright four-petaled flowers emerge in early spring in shades of orange, yellow, white, purple or lavender. The evergreen leaves, heart- or lance-shaped, are heart-shaped in temperate areas, with bronze or red highlights. Barrenwort does best in dry shade areas where nothing else will grow. Use in a woodland border, rock garden, under trees or in clumps in the landscape.

3. BERGENIA

The thick, cabbage-like leaves, which are evergreen in mild climates, turn bronze in colder weather, adding winter interest to the landscape. Upright clusters of bell-shaped pink, red or white flowers occur on strong stems in spring. Use as a mass in a woodland garden or as edging along paths or borders.

4. BLEEDING HEART

Beautiful heart-shaped flowers in pink, red or white appear on graceful arching stems. Ferny green or golden leaves die back in the heat of summer. Grow this long-lived perennial in a woodland border, cottage garden or container.

5. COLUMBINE

This beautiful spring-flowering plant is distinguished by its single or double open-faced flowers with backward-facing thorns and deeply divided leaflets. The flowers come in shades of blue, red, yellow, pink, purple, white, black or chocolate. Plant this self-seeding perennial in a woodland border, rockery or cottage garden.

6. CORAL BEADS

Grown primarily for their foliage, coral bells come in a nearly endless array of colors, shapes and forms. This hardy perennial will tolerate a wide range of light and soil conditions. Use in mixed borders, mass plantings and containers.

7. CORYDALIS

Related to poppies, this small shade lover thrives in cool, moist conditions. Corydalis is characterized by clusters of small funnel-shaped flowers in shades of cream, yellow, pink or blue. The soft fern green, blue-green or golden leaves are attractive on their own. Plant the plant in a shady border, rock garden or as a ground cover.