Clusters of small, yellowish flowers and bright green leaves on a tree branch, seen from below with sunlight filtering through the foliage.

As temperatures continue to rise, my outside exposure gradually begins to decrease. I am not a fan of heat, especially humidity. My routine becomes a mad dash to the house, to the car, to the office, to the car, and back home to the safety and comfort of air conditioning. Now, of course, this isn’t always possible. Life dictates that I must spend some time outdoors. It’s inevitable, but when I do, I tend to seek out the cool, reassuring comfort of shade. It, at least, makes the outdoors tolerable.

Bright green hosta leaves in a garden bed, with darker foliage and a birdbath in the background, surrounded by mulch and a wooden bench off to the left.

Much like myself, there are certain plants that not only prefer shade but thrive in its cool, dark bliss. I know what you’re probably thinking – Hosta, Hosta, Fern, Hosta. Alas, no! There are so many viable, interesting options that offer not only color, but texture, contrast, scent, and all around interest and intrigue. Let’s explore some of these options that will brighten and liven any shady area of your landscape.

Close-up of pink and reddish Heuchera plant leaves with ruffled edges and visible veins, overlapping each other.

Carnival Watermelon Alumroot
Artfully textured, peachy-pink foliage matures to a bronzy-green with silver markings. Dainty, white bell-shaped flowers bloom atop long stems in mid-Spring. Prefers shade to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 8-12” wide and 12-18” wide. Attracts pollinators. Salt tolerant.

Close-up of small pink and red flowers with green spotted leaves in the background, growing outdoors in natural light.

Raspberry Splash Pulmonaria
Lovely, mounded plant that produces clusters of bright, raspberry-colored blooms in early to mid-Spring amongst white speckled foliage.  Prefers shade to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 8-12″ tall and 12-18″ wide.  Attracts hummingbirds and bees.  Deer resistant

Bright yellow flowers with narrow petals bloom above large, dark green leaves. Behind them, feathery, light green foliage adds a delicate texture. In front, pale green, fuzzy leaves complete the layered garden scene.

Black Leaved Ligularia
A truly unique, bold and brazen plant, Ligularia offers large, rounded maroon-black leathery leaves with raspberry colored undersides and golden-orange daisy-like flower clusters from July – September that are great for cutting and creating stunning bouquets. Prefers shade to partial shade, and moist soil. Grows 3-4′ tall and 2-3′ wide.  Attracts pollinators.  Deer resistant.

Bright purple-pink Astilbe flowers with feathery, spiky blooms stand above dark green, jagged-edged leaves. The flowers are densely clustered, creating a fluffy appearance. Sunlight highlights the vibrant color.

Visions Astible
Fluffy lavender-mauve plumes bloom atop sturdy stems and dark green foliage July – August. Prefers shade to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 12-18” tall and 12-18” wide. Deer and rabbit resistant. Drought tolerant.

Tall spikes of pale purple flowers rise above dark foliage in a garden, with a bush of white flowers and green plants in the background.

Black Bugbane
Fragrant, foot-long white bottlebrush flowers tinged with pink bloom in early Fall on upright, arching stems, flanked by deep purple foliage. Truly a stunner!  Prefers shade to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 4-6′ tall and 3-4′ wide, giving visual, vertical appeal.  Attracts butterflies and other pollinators.

Close-up of fern leaves with silvery-green fronds and dark purple stems and veins, creating a striking contrast in color and texture.

Japanese Painted Fern
Finely textured, bluish-gray fronds with hints of silver, white and burgundy grow in a lovely mound. Prefers shade to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 12-18” tall and 12-18” wide.

Close-up of yellow and green variegated plants in a garden, with darker green leafy plants and soil in the background. The image shows diverse foliage textures and colors.

Bring some life, color, texture and contrast into the shade with these unique and stunning plants.  Reach out to Sweeney’s today, and be afraid of the dark no more!

Plant of the Week

Bright green ferns grow in a garden bed, surrounded by small flowering plants with pink blooms in the foreground and background, set against dark soil.

Ostrich Fern

Large, upright fronds, similar to Ostrich plumes, grows in dense stands.  Prefers shade, and moist, well-drained soil.  Grows 4-6′ tall and 24-36″ wide.  Deer resistant.

“To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon verdure is the most perfect refreshment.”

-Jane Austen

Well wishes,

Kim Sweeney