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.
184118 plants found
Featured plants
24
Shrub
European Gooseberry
Ribes uva-crispa subsp. reclinatum
Grossulariaceae
Full Shade
Medium
Zone 5–8
1–2m
Blooms: Apr, May
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
Tree
Mazzard cherry
Prunus avium
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
10–15m
Blooms: Apr, May
Perennial
Evergreen
Spinulose chain fern
Woodwardia spinulosa
Aspleniaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 5–8
0.5–1.5m
Perennial
Packera
Packera anonyma
Asteraceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
0.3–1m
Blooms: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Shrub
European Gooseberry
Ribes uva-crispa var. sativum
Grossulariaceae
Full Shade
Medium
Zone 3–8
1–1.5m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Evergreen
Caucasian boxwood
Buxus sempervirens
Buxaceae
Partial Shade
Low
Zone 5–8
1–2m
Blooms: Mar, Apr
Perennial
Evergreen
Sage
Salvia officinalis
Lamiaceae
Partial Shade
Low
Zone 5–9
0.4–0.8m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Perennial
Basil
Ocimum basilicum
Lamiaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 5–10
0.3–0.6m
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sep
Perennial
Fennel
Foeniculum vulgare
Apiaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–9
1–2m
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Perennial
Balm
Melissa officinalis
Lamiaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–9
0.4–1m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Tree
Wild plum
Prunus domestica
Rosaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
4–8m
Blooms: Mar, Apr
Tree
Pedunculate oak
Quercus robur
Fagaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
12–25m
Blooms: Apr, May
Perennial
Garden parsley
Petroselinum crispum
Apiaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 3–10
0.2–1m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug
Perennial
Wild marjoram
Origanum vulgare
Lamiaceae
Partial Shade
Low
Zone 4–10
0.3–0.9m
Blooms: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Tree
Beech
Fagus sylvatica
Fagaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 4–8
15–30m
Blooms: Apr, May
Shrub
Evergreen
Laurustinus
Viburnum tinus
Viburnaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 7–10
1.5–3m
Blooms: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr
Climber
Evergreen
Chinese ivy
Hedera sinensis
Araliaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 5–9
5–10m
Blooms: Jul, Aug, Sep
Grass
Evergreen
Blue moor grass
Sesleria caerulea
Poaceae
Partial Shade
Medium
Zone 5–8
0.4–0.7m
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
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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