Let's Throw Some Shade: what can I grow in a shade garden?

I often get asked: "What can I grow in shade"? The answer is: "Plenty"! Depending on where you are and what your conditions are, there are loads of beautiful plants that can survive without an abundance of sun. Here are my top 5 favourites!

1. Hostas

These shade loving beauties come in a number of shades of green and sport pretty purple, pink, blue or white flowers in the spring. Hostas are very low maintenance and are perennials (meaning they come up ever year). My favourite colour hosta is chartreuse (shown above). Zones 3-9.

2. Primrose

I just love these little flowers. They seem to pop up and survive almost anywhere and will come up year after year. They come in a rainbow of colours and are as pretty as a peach! These lovelies are some of the first to appear in early spring. Zones 4-7.

3. Lungwort

Brighten your shade garden with low maintenance ground covers like lungwort. This silver spotted shade lover sports pretty purple flowers in the spring and is resistant to deer and rabbits. Zone 4-8.

4. Astilbe

One of my favourite plants! Astilbe comes in a range of shades from white to deep crimson. Their fan-like appearance makes them just perfect in a bouquet (pictured above are light pink, bubble gum pink and crimson from my garden). These fragrant plants will bloom at various times throughout the spring/summer depending on the variety. They add a whimsical touch to any garden and are super low maintenance! They will come up year after year with minimal to no effort. Zone 4-8.

5. Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)

Bleeding heart plants love shade or partial shade and are very low maintenance. They like moisture and do not like to be too hot. They have lovely dangling hearts that appear in the spring. They are a perennial and so will also come up each year. Whenever I see them, I think of Alice in Wonderland and the Queen of Hearts! Zones 2-9.

Happy Gardening!