Shade Tolerant Perennials
Shade perennials thrive when they receive less than three hours of direct sun each day. Shade loving perennials typically faint if exposed to direct sun throughout the day.
Lady's Mantle
Alchemilla mollis (Lady’s Mantle). Lady's mantles are easy to grow in soil where summers are cool and moist, preferring some protection from hot sun in midsummer. As the summer progresses, the plants become larger and do not look as neat. Divide or thin if plants become too crowded.
Astilbe
Astilbe are easily grown in partial shade. The soil should be moist with plenty of organic matter mixed in. The larger varieties work well in the garden border as specimen plants. Colors include white, pink, red, rose, and lilac. Heights vary from 12 to 40 inches. They also make an effective ground cover
Bleeding Heart
Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) Bleeding hearts need open or partial shade with an evenly moist, slightly acidic soil. Plenty of peat moss must be used when planting. Pine needles or pine bark are good for mulching. This plant is a lovely sight when planted in a shady bed or woodland border.
Hostas
Hostas are a great choice for shaded woodland settings—in fact they are our most popular shade perennial. There are numerous varieties, some flowering, some not, with differing leaf size and color.
Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata (Woodland Phlox) also known as Moss Pink. Moss pink is a ground-hugging plant up to 6 inches in height with evergreen, needlelike leaves on creeping woody stems. The star-shaped flowers are 3/4 inch across and come in shades of white, pink, deep pink, red, purple, or blue. They appear from midspring to early summer, depending on the local climate. Grow in full sun to partial shade in a well-drained, even sandy, soil. Do not over-fertilize. After blooming has ceased, prune harshly (to 1 to 2 inches) to stimulate new growth. It's the perfect ground cover plant for the rock garden; it is spectacular in bloom and makes an attractive green carpet otherwise.
Primrose
Primula (Primrose) Most primroses prefer moist but well-drained soil, cool but not freezing temperatures, and average fertility.
Leadwort
Pulmonaria (Leadwort) This perennial is a deciduous or semi-evergreen ground cover that grows 6 to 10 inches tall. It has glossy green leaves on long, trailing stems and bears gentian-blue flowers. The 3/4-inch diameter flowers begin in early August and continue until frost. The foliage turns a lovely reddish bronze after the first frost and persists well into winter. Plant in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Leadwort likes full sun or part shade.