In any garden plot there are places that are poorly lit by the sun. For example, near tall trees, buildings or north side Houses. Many fruit and vegetable crops love sunlight and warmth, so planting them in shaded corners is not advisable. The question arises - what to plant in the shade so that every part of the garden looks beautiful and blooming? In this article we will answer this question and talk about shade-loving shrubs, flowers and vegetable crops.
In the shade of the garden you can plant both shrubs and many vegetables and flowers.
Not all shady areas are the same - some receive sunlight for several hours a day, others receive scattered light through the foliage, and others do not receive sunlight at all during the day. Therefore, the first step is to determine which plants will be most suitable for which corners of the garden.
Then you need to prepare the soil at the dacha. Shade-tolerant plants although unpretentious, they are able to survive only in good soil. It is better to leave the foliage in the fall so that it turns into nutritious fertilizer over the winter. Another option is to add humus or compost to the soil while digging. You also need to determine whether the soil is alkaline or acidic in order to choose the right type of plants to plant. And if the shade is created by trees and shrubs growing nearby, you should study which crops they can peacefully coexist with.
What shrubs should I plant in the shade?
There are many types of shrubs that thrive in minimal sunlight, grow well and even bloom. Many of them are found naturally in forests, which explains their endurance. Let's take a closer look at some of them.
Snowberry
A garden shrub with original snow-white berries that decorate the branches not only in autumn, but also in winter. Not picky about soil, can grow in calcareous soil of average fertility.
Snowberry with original white berries.
The only representative that is grown in the shade of gardens is the snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus). A tall deciduous plant with a rounded crown and long shoots. The color of the leaves is unusual - bright green on top and bluish below. The flowers are small, pink. Against the background of flowering, large white false berries appear, which firmly adhere to the branches even after the leaves have fallen. The plant also differs in its growth rate - in a couple of seasons it can reach maximum height and decorativeness.
Mahonia
Evergreen shrub Mahonia.
These are the best evergreens that decorate the garden all year round. Of the care features, you only need to cover young bushes for the winter. They feel great not only in partial shade, but also in the shade. The most shade-loving species:
- Mahonia aquifolium, according to modern classifications - Holly barberry. A low shrub with shiny large leathery serrated leaves, red in spring, golden bronze in autumn. The real decoration of the plant is the large yellow inflorescences at the ends of the branches and elongated blue fruits.
- Creeping Mahonia (Mahonia repens) or Creeping barberry. Low shrub, no more than 50 cm in height. Externally similar to the previous type, differs only in height, used as a border design or as a ground cover.
Euonymus
Euonymus pauciflora.
Plastic and unpretentious shrub with beautiful foliage and attractive fruits. Can grow well along a fence or next to tall trees. Popular representatives of the plant:
- Euonymus verrucosus. The shrub, reaching a height of 2 m, can stretch and take the form of a slender tree. The foliage is mosaic, transparent. The shoots are bright, green, covered with black growths. The flowers are brown, discreet. The fruits are bright red and look interesting against the background of the foliage. In autumn the bush takes on an amazing bright red hue.
- Dwarf euonymus (Euonymus nanus). A low (up to 1 m) creeping shrub that produces long green lashes. In the second year, the branches covered with warts change color and become gray. The leaves are oblong, green. The flowers are also greenish in color, very rarely giving way to bright pink fruits.
- Winged euonymus (Euonymus alatus). Tall, densely branching shrub. The shoots are tetrahedral, spreading, covered with red bark. The leaves are dark green, leathery. The inflorescences have a greenish tint, the fruits are pink. In autumn it turns dazzling pink.
Elder
Lush and compact shrub - elderberry.
In the shade, the shrub acquires a compact size and lush shape, becoming more attractive from a decorative point of view. Shade-tolerant representatives of the species:
- Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra). A large deciduous shrub, in the shade it grows to a maximum of 3 m. The leaves are light, complex-pinnate, giving the plant massiveness. The flowers are very fragrant, large, yellow-white in color.
- Siberian elderberry (Sambucus sibirica). An elegant, very shade-tolerant shrub with bright red fruits and equally bright green leaves.
- Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). The shoots of the bush branch, the leaves are light green and large. The flowers are also large, light-colored, and give way to bright berries. The plant loves moist, fertile soil.
Deren
An unusual combination of derain - bright shoots, white inflorescences and black fruits.
Decorative deciduous shrubs with bright shoots, red or blue fruits, will become a real decoration of the garden all year round. Along with shade tolerance, derain is distinguished by drought resistance and ease of care. Popular representatives:
- Red dogwood (Cornus sanguinea). Tall (up to 4 m) deciduous shrub with drooping branched shoots different shades- from green to purple-red. The leaves are bright, round, and turn red in autumn. The inflorescences are white; black fruits appear in autumn.
- White dogwood (Cornus alba). It has shoots of a coral hue, bright variegated leaves, which turn purple in autumn. The flowers are small and white. The fruits are spherical, white and blue.
Wintergreen
Small evergreen wintergreen.
Small evergreen shrub, which is able to survive in any conditions, including partial shade and shade. The soil for growing should be rich in peat. The plant acquires its greatest beauty in the fall, when the branches are strewn with multi-colored round inedible berries. The following grow best in the shade:
- Wintergreen (Gaultheria trichophylla). A low-growing shrub (no more than 10 cm in height), gray-green leaves, blue or blue fruits. Can only grow in the southern regions.
- Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens). The height of the bush is 15 cm, the leaves are round, the flowers resemble water lilies, and the fruits are bright. It tolerates frosts, only partially freezing.
- Wintergreen shallon (Gaultheria shallon). The largest representative, reaches a height of 50 cm. The shoots stretch upward, the fruits are purple-black.
Rhododendron
Luxurious blooming rhododendron.
Luxurious shrub with abundant flowering can decorate any shady corner of the garden in the country. The most shade-tolerant are:
- Caucasian rhododendron (Rhododendron caucasicum). Evergreen low-growing shrub, no more than 1 m in height. The shoots are creeping, the leaves are oval, pointed, leathery. The flowers are funnel-shaped, the corolla is white with greenish spots. It grows slowly.
- Rhododendron catawbiense. The shrub reaches 2 m, in nature it grows in the form of a tree. The leaves are long, dark, the flowers are bell-shaped, purple, about 15 cm in diameter.
Kalina
Deciduous berry bush - viburnum.
These are deciduous berry bushes Recently they have become more and more popular, thanks to their unpretentiousness and decorativeness. The plants are very shade-tolerant and moisture-loving, so they can be planted in areas with excess moisture. The inflorescences are pink or white, from which red or black fruits and berries are formed by autumn; in most representatives they are edible. Although it is believed that for correct height Viburnum needs sunlight; many species grow well in the shade. Among them:
- Canadian viburnum (Viburnum lentago). A tall shrub, the leaves are oval and shiny, turning red in autumn. The flowers are large cream, the fruits are blue-black.
- Forked viburnum (Viburnum furcatum). A powerful bush with strong branching and shoots looking up. The leaves are large, the flowers are white, the fruits are red. In autumn it becomes especially attractive due to the red tint of the leaves with bright veins.
Other berry shade-loving shrubs include:
- Raspberries. The ideal place for growing it will be shaded areas along the fence. This way the berries will not lose their juiciness and will grow large.
- Currant. Loves moist soil and lack of bright sunlight. In full shade, the berries will ripen a little later.
- Rose hip. It blooms and bears fruit beautifully even in the complete absence of sunlight.
Shade-tolerant vegetable crops
Many vegetable crops grow well in the shade.
Shrubs growing in the shade will become an element of garden decor, filling free space or bearing fruit. But there are also shade-tolerant vegetable crops, which at the same time give a good harvest. Let's find out what vegetables can be planted in the shade.
- Salad. This includes all types of leaf and head lettuce, sorrel, watercress, spinach, arugula, lettuce and others. All crops grow well in the shade, remain soft and tender for a long time, do not taste bitter and bloom later than in the sun.
- Rhubarb. A vegetable from which you can make either soup or dessert. It needs abundant watering, grows quickly and forms succulent stems.
- Cheremsha. Another name is bear bow. Is medicinal plant, tastes like onion or garlic. The plant is rich in vitamins. In nature it grows in the forest, in shady corners.
- Garlic. The crop can be grown in the shade if you do not need large heads of garlic and only use it as a seasoning for some dishes.
- Greenery. Shade-tolerant spices– mint, lemon balm, parsley, cilantro, oregano, tarragon, thyme. Plants grow well in the shade without losing their taste and aroma.
- Beans and beans. There are only a few shade-loving varieties of legumes that are recommended to be planted under apple trees. In the fall, it is advisable to leave the tops on the ground to serve as fertilizer.
- Beet. Grow this one vegetable crop in the shade you can if you need medium-sized fruits that are more tender and convenient for cooking.
- Horseradish. The most shade-loving crop that will grow well in any darkest corner of the garden.
What flowers can be grown in the shade?
Some flowers can also transform a garden and fill shaded areas. Among them the following plants can be distinguished.
Perennials
This group includes:
- Daylily grows and blooms better in the shade than in the sun.
- Lily of the valley.
- Hosta - only in shaded conditions can reveal all the beauty of the shades.
- Brunera - grows well, unpretentious.
- Peonies.
- Irises.
Biennials
The most popular representatives are:
- Forget-me-nots.
- Pansies.
Annuals
Shade lovers among annual plants a little, because Almost all of them need sunlight. However, they feel good in the shade:
- Calendula - can be content with a couple of hours of sunlight per day.
- Fragrant tobacco grows well in diffused light.
If you know exactly which vegetables, berries and ornamental shrubs, herbs and flowers can be planted in the shade, you can easily improve the most distant and unclaimed corners of your site.
First you need to decide on the “quality of the shadow”, because it can be very different.
- Stable, for example, along the northern wall of the house, where the direct sun never looks.
- Partial shade, for example, near a wall facing east, where there is sun in the morning, and stable shadow in the late afternoon.
- Scattered, for example, under the canopy of trees or bushes.
It’s worth noting right away that there are not so many abundantly flowering shade crops that produce bright flowers all summer, or at least they cannot be found in the lists of usual summer crops. Most truly shade-tolerant plants have dainty, delicate, and quickly fading flowers. And most of them are perennials that rarely produce flowers all summer - it makes sense to think about several crops that will replace each other.
Therefore, we will consider all shade crops that will provide a bright decorative effect, not necessarily thanks to flowers, but, for example, beautiful leaves, throughout the warm season, and also consider the flowering times of all possible crops for different types shadows.
The most spectacular and long-flowering crops that can tolerate partial shade
Below are flowers that really bloom brightly, for partial shade, partial shade or diffuse shade:
- – many spectacular hybrid varieties require good lighting for abundant flowering, but in nature this plant grows on the edges of forests, that is, in partial shade, so it is quite possible to create a beautiful flowering bed of daylilies in the shade if you choose the right varieties – it is especially beautiful in partial shade (in the morning - sun, in the afternoon - light shade) varieties of dark shades (red-black, violet-black, violet) look good; in the sun they fade and quickly wither. There are different groups according to flowering time, flowering duration is about a month, but you can combine different varieties and get a long-flowering flower bed.
- – for abundant flowering it needs good lighting in the first half of the day and shade starting at noon. Blooms from the beginning of June to the end of July, after correct pruning by the end of August it blooms again.
- — blooms all summer, feels great in partial shade, flowers are like foxgloves, only brighter and larger, a rather rare plant, although undeservedly so.
- Pansies- this charming annual grows in both sun and partial shade. In the sun, the flowers are larger and brighter, but in partial shade the flowering will last longer. The timing of flowering can be varied at your discretion (by sowing seeds at different times).
- Balsam- the plant does not tolerate direct contact sun rays, needs only diffused light. Blooms from July until frost.
- Everblooming begonia- requires bright but diffused light, can fade in direct sun, blooms all the time, in open ground grown by seedlings as an annual.
- Fragrant tobacco-blooms from June until frost. Loves well-lit places, but light partial shade is acceptable.
- Astilbe- blooms in June-July, for about a month, loves sparse soft shade. Panicle flowers are very spectacular, there are many varieties. The appearance of the plant is elegant, feminine, bright.
- Astrantia— the flowering period depends on the variety, but this is one of the longest-lasting plants, some varieties bloom from June to the end of September, feels good in the sun, in partial shade, and even in full shade (only in heavily shaded places the flowering will not be so bright), grows well under trees.
- Mimulus- Can burn in direct sun, the best place is well lit, but with partial shading. It blooms with original flowers, reminiscent of orchids, in two waves - in spring and autumn.
Astilbe and Hosta ‘Sun Power’
Medicinal, spicy, aromatic herbs feel good in partial shade:
- peppermint,
- radiola pink,
- tarragon,
- borage,
- perennial onions,
- lemon balm.
Partial shade or diffuse shade is well tolerated species peonies: Maryin root, Caucasian, Wittmann - bloom from the beginning of May to the end of June Since August, the bushes have been decorated with quite spectacular fruits. Many herbs and grains also grow well in partial shade (, cortaderia, gray fescue).
Bulbous plants tolerate lack of light well:
- Daffodils.
- Kandyk.
- Merendera.
- Grouse.
- Whiteflower.
- Scylla (scilla).
- Korolkovia.
- Iridodictums.
- Pushkinia.
- Muscari.
- Crocuses.
- Hyacinthoides.
Tulips, primroses, pansies.
Plants that love light but can do well in partial shade
That is, these plants can produce abundant flowering in a flowerbed, for example, on the western or eastern side of the house, where light only reaches part of the day. If they are planted in such an area, then you should treat them as capricious and provide very good other conditions ( correct soil, watering, fertilizing). All these plants bloom brightly and for a long time:
- Snapdragon.
- Ageratum.
- Levka.
- Balsam.
- Lobelia.
- Poppy self-seeding.
- Petunia.
- Pansies.
- Sweet pea.
- Kobeya.
- Clove grenadine.
- Daisies.
- Heliotrope.
- The bell is medium and large-flowered.
The bell is medium.
Flowering plants for deep shade
These are shade plants that never get direct sun. They will feel good in the shade of buildings, even on the north side, under a dense canopy of trees, near a fence:
- Aquilegia (catchment) – blooms in June-July. Flowering time can be extended by picking off wilted flowers without allowing them to set seed pods.
- . Almost all species grow well in partial shade; climbing aconite thrives in the shade. Flowering times vary - from 20 to 60 days depending on the type. Extremely poisonous!
- Brunner- blooms in the spring, at good care Possible re-blooming in autumn.
- Cyanosis.
- Fragrant violet.
- Swimsuit.
- Common primrose.
- Chistous.
- Forget-me-nots.
- Digitalis.
- Anemone.
- Black cohosh.
- May lily of the valley.
- Fragrant violet.
- Tiara cordifolia.
- Bought.
- Elecampane is magnificent.
- Spring umbilicalus.
- Lungwort.
- Woodruff fragrant.
- Turkish cloves.
- Cuff.
- Mountain cornflower.
- Dicentra.
- Doronicum eastern.
- Gentian.
- Garden geranium.
- Avens.
- Hellebore.
- Siberian irises.
Ferns (shield and ostrich) look great in the shade, although they do not bloom.
Variegated lily of the valley and astilbe.
Shadow under the trees
Some tree species create a light openwork shade, but at the same time they dry out the soil greatly and this factor must be taken into account, because most shade-tolerant crops prefer moisture. Grow well in shade and dryness:
- broadleaf purchase,
- periwinkle,
- horny weed,
- wood anemone.
- spring primrose,
- bergenia,
- comfrey,
- garden geranium red-brown or Balkan.
- cereals.
Under a pine tree, where the soil is sandy or sandy loam:
- lilies of the valley,
- periwinkles,
- survivors
- violets.
Trees and shrubs for shady areas
Songs may require shade-tolerant trees and shrubs:
- Korean fir,
- black elderberry,
Creepers for shade
The most popular for shady areas:
- round-leaved tree plier is universal, grows both in good light and in shade and partial shade. However, it does not bear fruit in dense shade;
- actinidia kolomikta - beautiful decorative leaves variegated changeable color;
- ivy - grows well even in heavy shade.
It is worth noting that most vines, being plants that depend on support, which in nature is usually a tall tree that creates shade, are accustomed to a lack of lighting.
This applies even to such a spectacular culture as. Many large-flowered hybrids like coolness, no higher than 25 degrees, and light or shade is secondary for them and shade may even be preferable - if it gives coolness.
Wintergreen (with red berries), skimmia, hellebores and ivy.
Decorative foliage
Spectacular large plants for shade with expressive foliage:
- – blooms for a month from mid-July to mid-August. It has exotic leaves, decorative all season and especially beautiful in the fall.
- – blooms for about a month, in August. Powerful, succulent, sculptural plant.
- – flowering depends on the variety, some varieties are incredibly persistent flowering – up to 2 months. Textured appearance, fleshy round leaves. Ideal conditions for culture - partial shade.
- – blooms for about a month in mid-summer with spectacular panicles. Openwork foliage. The plant is graceful, refined, elegant, lush.
- – Recommendations for planting vary greatly. In any case, varieties with dark leaf colors do well in strong shade, while lighter ones need light partial shade. The appearance of the plant is exotic, bright, vibrating.
- - classic shaded areas. Decorative throughout the growing season. It goes well with any other plants, has a lot of shapes and colors that are good both in single plantings and in compositions.
- Chistets Byzantine- loves good light, but also grows well in partial shade. Attracts attention with its pubescent, woolly leaves of a bluish-gray hue.
Ground cover:
- Pachysandra- a frost-resistant subshrub up to 25-35 cm high. The flowering is inexpressive, but is valued for its dense decorative foliage that does not change its appearance throughout the year.
- Wintergreen- an evergreen ground cover shrub 10-15 cm high, blooms with elegant white flowers in June-August, then the plant is decorated with spectacular bright edible fruits that last until late spring. Feels great under trees.
- White-edged warbler- beautiful white-green foliage, the plant is very unpretentious.
- Mother of thousands— the leaves are similar to ivy leaves, beautiful “lipped” flowers appear on the plant from June until frost.
- European hoofweed- has juicy, fleshy, large and thick leaves in the shape of a hoof, creating a dense covering.
- Yasnotka- very beautiful silvery leaves, bright spongy flowers. Loves good lighting, but sparse, optimal places- those where the western or eastern sun hits.
Hosta, geranium, jasmine.
Container garden in the shade
Shade-tolerant plants that do not overwinter in open ground in the middle zone, but you can plant them in pots and create a container flower bed. If desired, you can bury them so that the pot is not visible. If you have the opportunity to tinker with digging for the winter, you can plant them in open ground for the summer, although this is rare for the middle zone. All the plants listed below are decorative all summer and do not tolerate direct sunlight. The best place for them is partial shade or eastern windows:
- Skimmia– subshrub, leathery glossy foliage, bright inflorescences all year round.
- Coleus– does not like direct scorching rays of the sun. Highly decorative all summer.
- Begonias– both tuberous and evergreens need bright, diffused light, but not scorching sun.
- Caladiums– in the West they are actively grown in open ground, in the conditions of the middle zone only in pots. The leaves are incredibly beautiful.
- Fuchsia– needs no introduction. Charming in standard form. Blooms from spring to late autumn, feels good in partial shade.
- Torenia- blooms all summer. Requires good lighting, but does not like direct midday sun.
Composition example
To create a flowerbed in the shade that blooms all summer, you can intelligently “mix” plants with different, albeit short, flowering periods.
For example, a composition for very humid partial shade:
- Marigold - low bushes, 30-40 cm, blooms in early spring, from late April to May, for 2-3 weeks. There are terry varieties.
- Lungwort.
- Forget-me-not.
- Astilbe.
- Hosts.
- Garden geranium. Best views for shade: Himalayan, marsh, meadow.
In the photo, Terry marigold - Caltha palustris ‘Flore Pleno’
Top 10 shade-tolerant flowers on video
Review ornamental plants for shadow from the HitSadTV channel. The presentation of the material is original - in the form of a rating with winners and losers. Of course, the locations are determined by the opinion of the channel’s editors. It is all the more interesting to create your own rating of the most beautiful shade-tolerant crops.
Unpretentious shade-loving perennials
In the video below is a selection of the most energy-efficient shade-loving flowers: these are perennials, which means you don’t need to plant them every year, they are generally unpretentious, which means they won’t require “dancing with tambourines.”
Gardeners encounter two opposing problem areas: bright sun and deep shade. Both of these extremes significantly reduce the ability to grow many plants, both flowers and vegetables.
It often happens that large plot located in the shade behind a house, garage or other buildings. But there are areas where the sun is at least partially present, and there are those where it does not reach at all.
In this article we will tell you what can be planted behind the house, in the shade.
Vegetables for a shady area
There are much fewer vegetables for a shady area than ornamental plants. The fact is that light is needed for the fruit to ripen. And here deciduous plants They can also live in dimly lit areas. You cannot plant any vegetables in deep shade, but in partial shade you can grow:
- spinach;
- watercress, arugula and lettuce;
- chard;
- onions for greens;
- peas;
- beans;
- cucumbers;
- radish;
- broccoli and cauliflower.
Among others, cucumber can thrive in the shade of trees, hanging on fences. In addition to vegetables, in such conditions it is quite possible to grow greens, such as parsley and dill. This is a small list of vegetables that can be planted in the shade behind the house.
Shade-loving or shade-tolerant?
These concepts often tend to be confused, but meanwhile it tolerates partial shade well, while shade-loving plants prefer to grow in deep shade. Before you go buy plants, find out through observation what kind of area you have, how many hours the sun is present there. One question is what to plant in the shade of trees, and another question is what to plant in the deep shadow of a house. This will help avoid mistakes.
Top plants growing in the shade
Among the shady options there are a lot of magnificently beautiful flowering decorative deciduous and coniferous trees. You just need to know them. Then, instead of the question of what to plant in the shade behind the house, you will have another: what to choose from the many shady plants? There are actually quite a lot of options.
So, the most popular shade plants:
- Decorative deciduous perennials: hosta, fern, brunnera, hoofweed.
- Ground cover perennials: periwinkle, ivy.
- Flowering perennials: daylily, aquilegia, tradescantia, clematis.
- Conifers: spruce canadian horsetail(conica).
- Shrubs: euonymus, derain, cotoneaster.
- Tuberous: cannas.
Some of them deserve special attention due to their decorative nature and love for shady places. Still undecided on what to plant in the shade behind the house? With the photographs included in the article, the choice becomes easier. Next we will talk about other options.
Hosta - Queen of Shadow
Hosta is the most popular plant for low-light areas. What's remarkable is the fact that denser shade makes hosta leaves appear larger and more impressive. Therefore, the answer to the question of which plants to plant in the shade is the hosta. It is very shade-loving and, on the contrary, loses all its decorative effect in the sun.
In addition, it is also valued for its frost resistance: it tolerates extreme cold well without shelter. There are many types of hosta, they differ in the size and color of the leaves. This plant is valued for its variety of soft green, variegated with white and silver leaves, collected in a basal rosette.
Hosta has cute white or purple flowers in the form of a small bell, which are located on a long stem.
Planting a hosta is very simple: dig up part of the rhizome with leaves and plant it in a new place, preferably in spring or autumn, outside the hot season.
Canadian spruce conica - coniferous charm in the shade
The name of this spruce gives us an understanding of its cone-shaped shape. Indeed, this evergreen and extremely slow-growing tree has the shape of a cone. Konica has a dense structure, so that the trunk is not visible, and what’s interesting is that it forms this shape itself, creating the image of a trimmed tree.
This spruce is an ideal shade dweller; it loves moist soil, but drainage will not interfere with it. Keeping in mind its slow growth, do not place anything tall nearby, otherwise it will clog the conic.
It will look great in a single planting if you lay agrofibre around it and sprinkle with small decorative stones. Can also go well with low junipers.
Fern - forest guest
Some people dream of growing ferns on their property. However, it does not take root anywhere except in dimly lit areas. If you are thinking about what plants to plant in the shade, feel free to choose this forest beauty.
Among the ferns, they are the champion of survival in conditions of lack of light. But it not only survives there, but also creates wonderful lush thickets. It is valued for its unwinding leaves (wais), which have a beautiful carved structure.
It can take a long time to choose what to plant in the deep shade behind the house, but if you choose ferns, you can’t go wrong.
Ivy - evergreen lace
Ivy is an evergreen plant from the Araliaceae family, with many varieties. For our territories, only frost-resistant species that can survive in winter are of interest.
Ivy is prized for its evergreens waxy leaves various colors: from dark green to variegated options.
If you have an empty, low-light place near the fence or you don’t know what to plant in the shade behind the house, then purchase this plant as soon as possible. Ivy is used to decorate hedges and as a ground cover. They will also be a salvation for the shady segments of alpine slides: ivy falling from the stones gives a wild, mysterious look.
Daylily - a flower for the lazy
If we talk about daylilies, then, like all flowering ones, it prefers sunny places, but can easily withstand shade. This is a plant with thin, long leaves that gather at the root and a flower on a long stem. The flowers are quite decorative and bloom even in strong shade, but the stalks will be very long. Daylily grows at a colossal speed, so that in a short time you can get a dense clearing.
Daylily is called a flower for the lazy: the usual orange and yellow varieties really do not require any care at all. More demanding species have greater decorative value. Light varieties are not suitable for planting in deep shade. You need to choose darker types.
Cotoneaster - wild prince
Cotoneasters - very unpretentious plants, which, in addition to dense, small shiny foliage, charm with small bright red berries. The berries stay on the branch for so long that it gives the impression of an ever-bearing bush.
There are many types of cotoneasters: from tall bushes to ground cover. Creeping cotoneaster, which occupies large areas in a very short time, deserves special attention for shade. For the slopes of alpine hills and rockeries, this is the best option.
Suitable for compositions with stones shadow side Houses. What to plant in the shade among stones is no longer a problem. Of course, cotoneaster, forming wild untamed thickets hanging from stones or winding between them. The effect is amazing, considering that the stones, like cotoneaster, do not need bright sun.
Unexpected shadow area bonuses
IN shady areas There is also a plus - they are often very wet. Even in scorching conditions, they retain life-giving moisture, almost never drying out. In such places there may be plants that will die in other areas. But that's not all the benefits of the shadow.
Plants can only be replanted in spring and autumn, since they do not take root if there is a lack of moisture. But in deep shade you have the opportunity to transplant throughout the summer!
So, we told you about what to plant in the shade behind the house. Flowers, shrubs or ground covers - the choice is yours. But there are very few annuals for shade; it is better to choose perennials: plant and forget.
Now you will not have problems choosing what to plant in the shade behind the house.
On any summer cottage there are places that are constantly in the shade - behind the house, garage or under fruit trees. Gardeners often wonder how to make sure that these territories do not gape with black holes of black soil, but please the eye with colorful colors. And then a problem arises, since most flowers and ornamental plants still prefer to grow under the sun's rays. However, there are a number of shade-loving plants for the garden, by planting which you can create beautiful flower arrangements. In this article we get acquainted with decorative perennials that prefer to grow in the shade.
Important! Before you start planting plants in your dacha, it is advisable to research country cottage area for the presence of shadow at one time or another during the day and identify the following categories: 1) areas with constant shading throughout the day; 2) areas with partial shade (only during a certain period of the day); 3) areas with scattered (sparse) shadow (from other taller plants).
If you are just looking for information about what garden flowers Suitable for partial shade, we recommend taking a closer look at Astilbe. This herbaceous plant of the saxifrage family unites 40 species and over 400 varieties. Grows from 15 cm to 2 meters. Blooms in June-August with paniculate inflorescences of red, white, pink, purple flowers. It has large leaves that form a lush openwork bush. Lives on average five years. 
Growing conditions. Prefers diffused shade. Grows well in any soil, however long flowering can be achieved by planting astilbe in soil with a close location groundwater. Easy to care for. Loves good watering. It tolerates winter well; only sudden changes in temperature can be fatal to it.
Reproduction methods. Propagated by seeds, dividing the bush and shoots.
Application. Goes well with bergenia, irises, lily of the valley, podophyllum, hellebore. It is used in mixed flower beds, on rocky hills, and in ridges.
Wolfsbane (wrestler)
In a review of plants for partial shade, we cannot do without aconite (Acónítum). It is a perennial herbaceous flowering plant family buttercup with a stem height of 50-150 cm. Includes several dozen varieties. Blooms from July to the end of October with racemose inflorescences of blue, white, purple, yellow color. The plant is considered poisonous because it contains alkaloids. 
Did you know? The poisonous properties of aconite have been known for a long time. Different nations they used it to poison predators and enemies, poison for arrows and spears.
Growing conditions. Grows in damp places in soils rich in humus. However, it can also be tolerated different soils, except sand and stone. It does not like stagnant moisture; severe waterlogging can destroy the flower. Feels good in both shade and partial shade. Does not require special care measures. Frost-resistant.
Reproduction methods. Propagated in several ways: by seed, dividing the bush, tubers, cuttings.
Application. Looks spectacular next to peonies, astilbe, irises, and rudbeckia. It is used both for mixed flower beds, flower beds, and for wall decoration; it can serve as a screen to cover any unattractive building or outbuilding.
One cannot ignore another flower for shady places – Brunnera. This perennial plant of the borage family with beautiful large leaves and forget-me-not-shaped flowers in inflorescences rightfully bears the title of long-liver, since it can live up to 10-15 years. It grows as a spreading bush, reaching a height of 40 cm. It blooms in May. Beautiful from late April until the first frost. Two types are used in culture. 
Growing conditions. Grows on clay, moist soils. This plant should not be planted in complete shade - in this case it will lose its decorative effect: the stems will stretch out. When planting it in the sun, you should provide plenty of regular watering. Brunnera is easy to care for. The plant is very frost-resistant - can withstand temperatures down to -29 ºС.
Reproduction methods. Propagated by dividing rhizomes, root shoots, and seeds.
Application. Her mixborder partners can be hellebore, primrose, and female fern. Brunnera is also planted in borders.
The list of shade-tolerant perennials also includes Dicentra, a herbaceous plant that attracts attention with its heart-shaped flowers. Another name for dicentra is “ broken heart“- came from the legend about the unhappy love of the French girl Jeanette. The perennial has about 20 varieties. The height of the flower varies from 30 cm to 1.5 m. The flowering period is May-June, the flowering duration is about a month. Flowers are bright pink or white collected in drooping arched inflorescences. The leaves are green with a bluish tint and add beauty to the plant even before flowering. “Broken Heart” has high immunity to pests and diseases. The flower is frost-resistant, but requires shelter for the winter. 
Growing conditions.
Grows well in moist soils with drainage and sufficient humus. It can be planted both in a sunny area and in the shade of trees, but it blooms earlier in the sun. Requires good watering, regular loosening of the soil to provide oxygen to the roots and weeding. It is also necessary to remove faded flowers in a timely manner.
Reproduction methods. Propagated by dividing the bush, root cuttings, less often by seed.
Application. Forms interesting flower arrangements with daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, brunnera, and saxifrage. Used in mixborders, on alpine slides.
Doronicum (Doronicum), a perennial from the Aster family, loves light shading. The genus includes 36 species. It blooms with large yellow flowers, shaped like a daisy. Flowering begins in May and lasts about a month. It grows quickly, forming lush, bright bushes. It is characterized by high frost resistance. The recommended duration of growth in one place is three to four years. 
Growing conditions. When planting doronicum, it should be taken into account that it only tolerates partial shade, and in absolute shade it completely loses its decorative effect. Becomes unattractive after flowering.
Important! When planting plants, you need to clearly understand the meaning of agrotechnical requirements for illumination: what is full sun, partial shade, shade and sparse shade for plants. "Full sun" means the plant has been exposed for more than three hoursin a dayunder direct rays; “partial shade” - about three hours in direct rays in the morning or evening, with shade in the middle of the day, or good illumination without direct rays throughout the day; “shade, shady areas, full shade” - three hours of direct daylight in the middle of the day and limited illumination throughout the rest of the time; “sparse shadow” – partial penetration of sunlight during the day (for example, through the crowns of trees).
Doronicum loves well-drained soils and abundant moisture. Blooms longer on light, loose, slightly acidic, fertile soil. Feels good with moderate and even watering.
Reproduction methods. Propagated by dividing the bush and by seeds.
Application. Doronicum belongs to the secondary plants. It should be planted in company with plants that have a long period of maintaining decorative properties, for example, with aquilegia, hosta, and Rogers. Also combined with daffodils, tulips, irises. IN landscape design it is planted in mixborders, rockeries, and rock gardens.
Volzhanka (Aruncus) always attracts attention - first of all, with the size of its spreading bushes, abundant flowering with white panicle inflorescences and delicate aroma. Arunkus stems can reach a height of up to 2 m. Flowering duration is two months: June-July. It can grow in one place for 15-20 years. 
Growing conditions. Volzhanka can equally grow both open areas, and in the shade. However, in direct sunlight the bushes do not grow well. To plant aruncus, select light, moist soil with good drainage. The plant is very unpretentious and requires minimal care: regular watering and pruning of faded inflorescences. Resistant to cold (requires shelter for the winter), diseases and weeds.
Reproduction methods. By dividing the bush, green cuttings, seeds.
Application. The flower looks beautiful both alone and in groups. Usually Volzhanka is planted next to low-growing plants. It looks good with astilbe, hosta, spirea, barberry, and shieldweed. It's very good to hide behind lush bushes aruncus unsightly buildings.
An excellent plant for a garden in the shade is the lipweed (Mimulus). In the homeland of mimulus - in America - another name for this flower is common: monkey flowers, due to some similarity of the flowers of the plant to the face of a monkey. The genus of sponges includes 150 species. The stems of the plant grow up to 60 cm. Depending on the species, they can be different in shape. The color of the flowers is plain or leopard print. It has two flowering periods - spring and autumn. 
Growing conditions. Mimulus must be planted in slightly shaded areas in fertile, loose and moist soil, rich in peat and humus. Pinching is recommended.
Reproduction methods. Propagated by cuttings and seeds.
Application. Used in framing borders, rocky slides, mixborders with lobelias, phloxes. Some species are suitable for planting in window and balcony boxes.
If you want to cover shady areas with a carpet of flowers, then saxifrage (Saxifraga) is a good choice. This is a ground cover plant from the Saxifraga family, which has 250 varieties. The stems of saxifrage reach a height of 5 to 70 cm. They are annual, shoots are perennial. The flowers are small: 1.5-2 cm in diameter. They are varied in color: white, pink, red, etc. The flowering period begins in May and lasts about a month.
Did you know? The Latin name for saxifrage comes from the words "saxym" and "frango", which translate as "rock" and "to break". This is explained by the fact that in nature this plant is most often found in rock crevices.
Growing conditions. Planting, growing and caring for saxifrage will not cause difficulties. The very name of the plant suggests that it is not picky about soil and watering, can grow on poor soils (necessarily with good drainage) and does not like waterlogging. Does not tolerate direct sunlight and does not like full shade (may affect the decorative appearance of the leaves). Characterized by high winter hardiness. Young plants require shelter in winter. Reproduction methods. Propagated by seeds, dividing the bush, rosettes.
Application. In decorative culture, saxifrage is planted between stones, on slopes, artificial rocks, and in rock gardens.
One of the most unpretentious perennials for partial shade is the swimsuit (Trollius). In addition to its unpretentiousness, it attracts the attention of gardeners with its large bright yellow and orange flowers. The genus of swimsuits has 20 varieties. The stems of the plant grow up to 90 cm. It blooms for about 20 days, starting in May. In one place, a bathing suit can decorate the garden for 10 years. 
Growing conditions.“Troll flower” (as the swimsuit is also called) can grow both in the sun and in partial shade, although in the latter case it somewhat loses its decorative effect and loses its growth. Fertile, moist soil is suitable for planting the plant. Although it can grow in poor soil. The only thing that the swimsuit does not like is stagnation of groundwater. Can winter without shelter.
Reproduction methods. You can propagate the swimsuit by dividing the queen cell and sowing seeds.
Application. A beautiful juxtaposition is obtained with the swimsuit and columbine, muscari, delphinium, scilla, magnolia, and bluebells.
The well-known lily of the valley (Lilium convallium) is also suitable for planting in the shade. This low plant (20-25 cm in height) with dazzling white small bell-shaped flowers and a delicate aroma delights its owners in May-June. The leaves remain green until July.
Did you know? Wild lily of the valley is listed in the Red Book.
Growing conditions.
The flower loves moist, organic-rich soil. Grows well in the shade of neighboring trees or bushes. In full shade it stops flowering. Does not require any maintenance correct landing can grow on its own for several years. 
Important! When working with lilies of the valley, you must protect your hands with gloves, since all organs of the plant are poisonous.
Reproduction methods. Propagated by dividing rhizomes and very rarely by seeds.
Application. Plant lily of the valley next to aquilegia, fern, lungwort and you will get a beautiful, delicate flower bed. This flower is also used as a ground cover plant and for forcing.
At the beginning of summer, in the garden you can admire the blooming of the bright candle-shaped brushes of the perennial lupine (Lupinus). This plant belongs to the legume family. It is popularly called “wolf bean” because its name comes from the word lupus - wolf. The inflorescences of some types of lupine can reach sizes of 1 m, and the plant itself grows from 50 to 150 cm. Flowers come in different colors: red, white, yellow, purple, pink, blue; There are three colors. Life period is five to six years. 
Growing conditions. The flower is very drought-resistant - its wild counterparts grow even in deserts. It can grow in the sun, in partial shade or under diffused lighting. The soil for planting it should be loamy or sandy loam with low or neutral acidity. Does not cause any particular difficulties in care. It is advisable to periodically loosen the soil and remove weeds. For the winter, the bushes should be hilled up and covered.
Reproduction methods. Lupine is propagated vegetatively - by cuttings or seeds.
Application. It can grow either alone or in a group planting in a flowerbed in the background next to irises, lilies, delphiniums, hostas, and astilbes.
The rows of flowers growing in partial shade and shade are also supplemented by the spectacular perennials Rogersia. These decorative deciduous plants of the Saxifraga family are memorable at first glance for their very large and beautiful palmate or pinnate leaves, which acquire a red or bronze hue in autumn. Rogersia blooms with a tall (1.2-1.5 m) panicle of pink-white or cream color. Flowering period - July. 
Growing conditions. Rogersia is unpretentious in terms of care. The most best place for its planting there will be an area located in partial shade. The plant is undemanding in terms of soil composition and can grow in any garden soil. Loves frequent watering.
Reproduction methods. Rogersia can be propagated by dividing rhizomes, leaf cuttings and seeds (rarely).
Application. Rogersia will become an exotic decoration in a mixborder, garden, or rock garden. It will add unusualness to your pond. Looks very beautiful in combination with fern, bergenia, hosta, and bells.
Even novice gardeners can grow another unpretentious, but very beautiful and fragrant shade-tolerant perennial - blueberry (Polemonium caeruleum). This plant reaches a height of 40-120 cm. Its inflorescence is quite tall, collected in a panicle of blue and white bells. Flowering occurs for a long time in June-July. Cyanosis has medicinal properties. 
Growing conditions. It is better to select light, moderately moist, slightly acidic soil for this plant. Although, in principle, the perennial is not particularly demanding on soil. It is resistant to frost, diseases and pests. Loves moisture.
Reproduction methods. The flower is propagated by dividing rhizomes, green cuttings and seed.
Application. Since cyanosis loses its attractiveness after flowering, when planting it, care must be taken that it is located next to plants that have a longer decorative period. It goes well with hosta, iris, bergenia, and primrose. It is successfully planted in flower beds and mixborders.
The genus (Symphyandra) includes 10 species. In nature they are perennials; in culture they are grown as biennial plants. This flower is interesting primarily for its inflorescences - drooping paniculate or spherical with bell-shaped flowers of purple or white color. They bloom in June-August. Reaches a height of 15-30 cm.
Growing conditions. Basically, symphiandras prefer sunny areas, and only two of its varieties - pendulous and Asian - are able to tolerate partial shade. Prefers loose soil with good drainage. All it takes to care for is watering during drought and removing faded inflorescences.
Reproduction methods. It propagates in two ways: by sowing seeds and cuttings from root shoots.
Application. It is planted on alpine hills, for border plantings, in rockeries and mixborders.
Another unpretentious shade-tolerant plant is the host (Hosta) or funkia. This decorative foliage plant can decorate any summer cottage and garden. Its main attraction is the leaves: large, often two-colored, with edges, of various shapes. Hosta cluster flowers are also beautiful - simple and double, white, blue, pink, purple. The height of the stem is generally 60-80 cm, but there are dwarf (15 cm) and giant (1.2 m) species. Hosta flowers are usually inconspicuous, and the more beautiful its leaves, the more faded the flowers. This perennial is a long-liver - it can grow without replanting for up to 20 years. To date, about 400 hosta hybrids have been bred. 
Growing conditions. The choice of site for this plant depends on the variety you prefer. Among the hybrids there are both sun-loving flowers and flowers for planting in partial shade and full shade - it all depends on the color of the leaves: the darker the leaves, the more shade-loving the plant. The composition of the soil for planting this perennial is desirable: rich in humus, slightly acidic or neutral, well-drained. The hosta will not survive on sand or loam. Loves moisture.
Reproduction methods. The hosta is propagated in three ways: by cuttings, dividing the bush and by seed.
Application. Hosta is an excellent background for flowering crops. Suitable for borders and flower beds.
When planting plants that prefer shade, consider the fact that often their beauty lies not in flowering (for most of them it is modest, unlike their light-loving relatives), but in foliage. In addition to the fact that properly selected perennials can decorate your garden, they are also an excellent way to control weeds.
Was this article helpful?
Thank you for your opinion!
Write in the comments what questions you have not received an answer to, we will definitely respond!
You can recommend this article to your friends!
You can recommend this article to your friends!
250
once already
helped
Each gardener, when planting plants on his plot, must have a good understanding of which place on the territory is suitable for his new “favorites”. Otherwise, he will be disappointed: the flowers do not bloom, the plants do not grow, the leaves get sunburn.
This happened to me when I planted hydrangea in the sunniest place, and planted lavender, the seedlings of which were obtained with great difficulty, as a border along the house. As a result, I almost destroyed the hydrangea (I managed to replant it in partial shade), and the lavender in the shade of the house never bloomed and died a year later.
Only by knowing the biological characteristics of each plant in relation to light, we will choose the right place for it in the site and will not destroy them with our unprofessional illiteracy.
Today all my flowers and ornamental shrubs are planted correctly, delighting me with abundant flowering and a healthy appearance.
In the article I will tell you what is better to plant in shady places, since it is the areas in the shade that are problematic, and we make the most mistakes there.
All plants need the sun, it is the basis for their development, but the need for it is for different cultures different.
There are 3 groups of plants that differ in the degree of lighting requirements: light-loving, shade-tolerant and shade-loving crops.
As a rule, not the entire garden area is completely illuminated by the sun; there are places that are in shade or partial shade, so they are divided into sunny, semi-shaded and shady areas.
Partial shade areas suitable for shade-tolerant crops can be:
- with diffused light;
- with reflected lighting;
- with lighting at certain times of the day, 3-6 hours, most often in the morning or evening.
It is necessary to distinguish between shade-tolerant and shade-loving plants. Shade-loving plants(hostas, ferns) prefer shade and do not tolerate even short exposure to sunlight. Shade-tolerant plants can grow in the sun, but tolerate partial shade without harm.
Shade-tolerant shrubs
Shrubs are the most numerous group among shade-tolerant plants. A slight shadow during the day does not affect their development and decorativeness.
Lilac
Lilac is a shrub with white, purple, lilac, purple flowers, collected in a brush. Hybrid varieties There are about 2500 lilacs; lilacs with simple and double flowers are distinguished. Has a delicate aroma. Tolerates light shade well.
The flower has 4 petals, but folk beliefs If you find a flower with 5 petals and eat it, your deepest wish will come true.
Rhododendron
Rhododendron is otherwise called the rose tree because of the magnificent flowers that adorn the bush starting in May. The ideal place for planting shrubs is partial shade, without bright sunlight and drafts.
There are more than 1000 varieties of rhododendrons with different colors and shapes of flowers, bush height, and flowering times. In Russia, it is better to plant frost-resistant varieties and be sure to use shrub cover for the winter.
Dogwood
Dogwood is most often found as a shrub, but can also form as a tree. Translated from Turkic it means “red”; people call it “shaitan - berry”. It is valued for the excellent taste of the fruits, from which jams, jams, and compotes are made. It blooms in early spring, when the leaves have not yet blossomed; the fruits ripen by the end of summer.
Feels great in a little shade. It begins to bear fruit at the age of 10; the lifespan of dogwood can reach 250 years.
Jasmine (mock orange)
Jasmine is often used in single plantings and as a decorative hedge. In any case, it is a decoration for the site, especially during the flowering period of the bush. Jasmine flowers can be white, yellow, cream, and have a pleasant aroma.
The bush can reduce the abundance of flowering while in partial shade. In villages in Rus', they brewed tea from jasmine flowers if the husband for some reason was losing interest in his wife, and gave it to the spouses to drink 2 hours before bedtime.
Barberry
The difference between barberry and other shrubs is the color of the foliage, which can be green, purple, yellow, which makes barberry beautiful at any time of the year. In autumn, the bush is sprinkled with red berries, which are used in preparing pilaf due to its specific sourness.
Unripe berries are poisonous. The caramel of the same name is named after the bush. Barberry grows well both in the sun and in shaded areas.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea can only be grown in partial shade; in the sun, the growth of the bush slows down, and the flower caps quickly lose their brightness of color.
The color of the inflorescences, which can be in the shape of a ball or a panicle, can be varied: snow-white, blue, pink, bright red. Gardeners often experiment with the color of hydrangeas by adding aluminum sulfate to the soil when watering to obtain blue or of blue color or potassium permanganate solution for pink shades.
Shade-tolerant fruit trees
Among fruit trees There are not many species that can tolerate shady areas. This is due to the fact that the sun is necessary for the ripening of fruits and the accumulation of sugar content. A little shading will not harm only cherries, cherry plums, and plums.
Cherry
Cherry is one of the few fruit trees, which tolerates partial shade well and does not reduce yield. Cherries are not found in the wild; about 20 species grow in Russia.
Cherries are valued for their juicy, sweet and sour berries, which are used in cooking and for medicinal purposes. Tree wood is a valuable material for furniture production.
Cherry plum
Cherry plum is an unpretentious tree that can grow well and bear fruit with slight shading. Grown in the southern regions of the country. Valued for its fertility (up to 300 kg of fruit can be collected from an adult tree). Contains many vitamins and is used in folk medicine.
In the Caucasus, sauces and seasonings are prepared from it, and it is included as a component in Tkemali sauce. The shells of the seeds are used to make activated carbon.
Shade-tolerant flowers - perennials
Perennials are very important for creating flower arrangements in flower beds, especially if they tolerate light shade during the day.
Dicentra
One of the most beautiful shade-tolerant perennials is dicentra, which, due to the shape of the flower, has another name - “broken heart”. There are about 20 varieties of this flower. Grows well in the shade of trees. It blooms for almost a month with pink or white flowers, which are located on stems inclined to the ground.
Lilies
Perennial bulbous plant, has many bright and varied flower colors. The lily is often called the “princess of flowers.” The lily has been known since ancient times; among believers it is considered the flower of the Virgin Mary.
As a shade-tolerant plant, it can bloom in flower beds near gazebos and terraces that limit access to the sun. There are flowers different shapes, many varieties have an unpleasant aroma.
Mimulus
Mimulus or Lipstick is a rather rare flower in gardeners' gardens, although the fact that it tolerates shade well makes it necessary in the flowerbed. The flower comes from America, where it is called “monkey flowers”. In our climate they are grown as annuals, although they are a perennial flower.
The coloring of the flower is very original, with bright spots and strokes different color, and it does not fade or lose the richness of its colors in the shade.
Swimsuit
One of the easiest perennials to grow is the swimsuit, the lifespan of the flower is almost 10 years. Feels great in shady conditions and in the sun. It blooms with large, yellow flowers in the form of balls, otherwise it is called “troll flower”.
There are about 20 varieties of the flower, one of the most interesting is the variety with blue flowers; in Russia, this variety can be found in Altai. The flower is listed in the Red Book.
Shade-tolerant flowers - annuals and biennials
There are not many shade-tolerant flowers among annuals and biennials; most of them require sunny areas, but in the presence of diffused light, good flowering can be achieved with them too.
Tobacco
One of the simple and famous flowers is winged tobacco. The flowers open in the evening, filling the air with a wonderful aroma. The color range is varied, blooms well in shaded areas. It grows up to 1 meter in height, looks very beautiful in flower beds, and is excellent for cutting.
Marigold
A fairly well-known shade-tolerant flower in gardeners' flower beds. Many people underestimate marigolds for their modest appearance and grow it as a medicinal raw material. Dried flower baskets are used in the form of infusions to treat stomatitis, colds, and diabetes.
To relieve symptoms of depression and neuroses, flowers are added to baths. In the Caucasus, ground dried flowers are used as a seasoning (Imereti saffron).
Nasturtium (Capucin)
A bright plant blooming with orange and yellow flowers, it is most often used in landscape design as a border decoration for a site. Loves sunny places with light shade, as in the open sun the leaves quickly turn yellow and the flowers fall off.
Nasturtium leaves have the shape of a flat bowl, the flowers look like gramophones. All this makes nasturtium very decorative. Used in folk medicine.
When using conifers for landscaping, there are no problems with their planting location, since most conifers prefer shady places, especially in the first years of growth.