When purchasing plants for your shade garden, keep in mind that plants tend to grow slowly in shade conditions and so you should purchase larger plants. Different species often respond differently when placed under shade conditions and so some experimentation with size and blooming times might be beneficial. Below are a selection of deep shade-loving species which grow well.
While most Bleeding Heart varieties prefer some shade, the Fern Leaf Bleeding Heart (Dicentra formosa) thrives best in full shade conditions. While you can purchase red or white blossom varieties of this perennial plant, its most hardy variety features pink blooms. This perennial typically grows between 8-15 in (23-38 cm). it blooms throughout summer.
Fern Leaf Bleeding Heart should be propagated through root division as its growth from seed is relatively slow.
Snake Root (Cimicifuga ramosa) makes for an eye-catching back of border plant. Depending on how much light they receive, its height may range between 3-4 feet (90-180 cm) with an equivalent spread. White blooms appear above its foliage for an interesting bottle brush effect.
Black Snakeroot, with its exotic darker purplish leaves, may be harder to come by but is well worth the hunt. Propagation should take place through division.
Cranesbill (Geranium) plants vary significantly from annual geraniums; their height ranges between 1 to 3 ft (30-90 cm). New varieties sold at garden centers feature smaller purple-pink flowers that spread by rhizomes; older varieties tend to feature blue, white or combinations thereof and spread via seed; hybrids typically bloom for about one month in July while the older varieties bloom two weeks later in August.
Central Alberta is home to an abundance of primroses. Most thrive in partial shade to full shade conditions and flower early each season, but you’ll find all sorts of hues, sizes and shapes here – to see them all, visit Devonian Botanical Gardens just south of Edmonton for the full experience.
Staff have spent many years studying primroses to discover the hardiest varieties for Alberta. “The Primrose Del” highlights these discoveries, although some species appear to only last two or three years before needing replacing with something else.
Lungwort (Pulminaria), commonly referred to by Joseph and Mary or Soldiers and Sailors, is an ideal shade plant but will thrive in full sun as well. Growing around 8 in (20 cm), it features spotted leaves. Most varieties feature dark green with silver or white spots whereas hybrid varieties may offer different coloring. Lungwort blooms early spring with pink buds turning blue as time goes on; occasionally needs split up for deadheading to prevent self seeding of seeds that form.
Rayflowers (Ligularia) are large plants growing to 3-4 feet (90-120 cm). They prefer light to deep shade conditions and feature tall spikes covered in tiny yellow daisies as their flowers.
Huge heart-shaped leaves provide year-round interest. For an even more stunning display, hybrid varieties with striking red stems may make an eye-catching statement. Propagating such hybrids must be done through division as their seed does not produce true results.
Solomon’s Seal (polgonatum multiflorum) is larger than its native variety and grows up to two feet (61 cm), blooming white flowers in June before producing round seed pods that become red by mid July and eventually black in September.
Roots of Solomon’s Seal are slow spreading rhizomes that spread easily by division.
Ostrich Ferns (Matteuccia struthiopteris) are long-lived shade plants with minimal care requirements. Reaching 4 feet (1 meter), their spread can extend as far as 4 feet 1.6 meters once established and are spread by underground rhizomes that multiply rapidly once established.
Fall is an excellent time for planting, so begin searching now for shade plants to add variety and colour to your garden.
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