Themed plant discovery
Shade Garden Plants
Discover plants that thrive in part shade and full shade, from lush foliage to reliable long-season blooms.
Use this guide to build layered shade borders, brighten north-facing corners, and find dependable plants for low-light beds.
184117 plants found
Featured plants
24
Perennial
Tulip
Tulipa agenensis
Liliaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–8
0.3–0.7m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–9
1.5–2m
Blooms: May, Jun, Jul
Perennial
Alpine strawberry
Fragaria vesca
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–8
0.1–0.2m
Blooms: Apr, May, Jun
Shrub
Elder
Sambucus nigra
Viburnaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–9
1.5–4m
Blooms: May, Jun
Shrub
Garden currant
Ribes rubrum
Grossulariaceae
Full Shade
Medium
Zone 3–7
1–2m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Black currant
Ribes nigrum
Grossulariaceae
Full Shade
Medium
Zone 3–8
1–2m
Blooms: Apr, May
Perennial
Hairless catmint
Nepeta nuda
Lamiaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
0.6–1.2m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Perennial
Beet
Beta vulgaris
Amaranthaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 2–11
0.15–0.2m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Tree
Mazzard cherry
Prunus avium
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
10–15m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Common lilac
Syringa vulgaris
Oleaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–9
1.5–3m
Blooms: May, Jun
Perennial
Evergreen
Sage
Salvia officinalis
Lamiaceae
Partial Shade
Low
Zone 5–9
0.4–0.8m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Shrub
Hortensia
Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangeaceae
Partial Shade
High
Zone 5–9
1–2m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Tree
Linden
Tilia cordata
Malvaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–7
15–20m
Blooms: Jul
Perennial
Coralbells
Heuchera sanguinea
Saxifragaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–9
0.3–0.6m
Blooms: May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Perennial
Garden lovage
Levisticum officinale
Apiaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–9
1–1.5m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Perennial
Lady's Mantle
Alchemilla pseudothmarii
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
0.4–0.7m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Perennial
Giant herb-robert
Geranium maderense
Geraniaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 5–8
0.4–0.6m
Blooms: Apr, May, Jun
Perennial
Common garden peony
Paeonia lactiflora
Paeoniaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–8
0.7–1m
Blooms: May, Jun, Jul
Shrub
Orange-eye
Buddleja davidii
Scrophulariaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 5–8
1–3m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Tree
Damson Plum
Prunus domestica subsp. insititia
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 5–8
3–5m
Blooms: Mar, Apr
Tree
Maple
Acer cordatum var. dimorphifolium
Sapindaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 6–9
5–10m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Evergreen
Cherry Laurel
Lauro-cerasus menghaiensis
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 6–9
2–4m
Blooms: Apr, May
Tree
Pear
Pyrus communis
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–9
8–15m
Blooms: Apr, May
Tree
European filbert
Corylus avellana
Betulaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
3–8m
Blooms: Jan, Feb, Mar
Why this theme works
Shade gardens succeed when foliage texture, flower timing, and hardiness are balanced around lower light. These plants help you build structure without fighting the site.
FAQ
What belongs in a shade garden?
Start with plants that match the core site conditions for a shade garden, then layer in foliage, structure, and bloom for a longer season.
How do I plan a shade garden?
Choose the right site conditions first, shortlist plants that fit them, and sketch the mix in Plantory before you buy anything.
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