Shade Gardening
Shade gardening is a challenge around here. The choices are more limited, and getting enough color can be difficult. I hope this list of plants and ideas helps.
Plants for Shade
Agave lophantha*
Ajuga
Amaryllis
American Beauty Berry
Asian Jasmine
Asparagus Ferns
Aucuba
Autumn Fern
Black and Blue Sage
Boxwoods (fungal warning)
Caladium
Calla Lily
Cast Iron Plants
Cedar Sage
Coleus
Columbine
Confederate Jasmine
Coral Bells
Coralberry
Dwarf Pittosporum
Dwarf Yaupon Holly
Elephant Ears
English Ivy
Frogfruit
Garden Phlox
Giant Leopard Plant
Ginger
Heartleaf Skullcap
Hellebores
Holly Fern
Hosta
Impatiens
Inland Sea Oats
Japanese Aralea
Japanese Maple
Kalancho
Leadwort Plumbago
Leopard Plant
Liriope
Mahonia
Maiden Ferns
Mondo Grass
Nolina (Bear Grass)
Oak Leaf Hydrangeas
Oxalis
Pigeon Berry
Purple Heart
River Fern
Rock Rose
Ruellia Squarrosa (Blue Shade Ruellia)
Ruellia, Dwarf Katie
Shrimp Plants
Silver Ponyfoot
Society Garlic
Spanish Dagger*
Spiderlily
Split Leaf Philodendron
Squid Agave
Sweet Potato Vine
Texas Betony
Tropical Sage
Turk's Cap
Variegated Flax Lily
Viburnum
Vinca
Wood Fern
Yaupon Hollies
Yew
Shade tips and tricks
Try to add some brightly colored foliage like the bright, green potato vine or variegated plants to bring the eye in and brighten the darker areas.
Reds seem to go more unnoticed in a shady area.
Pots can spice up an otherwise boring look.
Remember, in the shade, the soil stays moist for longer and can lead to root rot on some plants.
You can plant plants that want more sun if you place them accordingly so that they lean towards the sun. This creates an interesting look. Care should be taken when making these selections, though.