15 Full Shade Plants Outdoor Garden: A Complete Guide [2024]

As a gardening enthusiast living in a heavily wooded area, I’ve discovered that shaded spots don’t have to be barren or boring. Full shade areas can transform into lush, vibrant gardens with the right plant selection. Whether you’re dealing with dense tree canopies or north-facing walls, there’s a surprising variety of plants that thrive in these low-light conditions.

I’ll share my firsthand experience with stunning shade-loving plants that have turned my darker outdoor spaces into thriving gardens. From elegant hostas to delicate ferns and colorful bleeding hearts, these plants don’t just survive in full shade – they flourish. Even better, many of these shade-tolerant varieties require minimal maintenance while providing year-round interest to those challenging spots where sun-loving plants won’t grow.

Key Takeaways

• Full shade plants can thrive in areas receiving less than 2 hours of direct sunlight, making them perfect for spaces under dense tree canopies or north-facing walls
• Popular flowering options for full shade include Astilbe, Bleeding Heart, Hellebore, and Japanese Forest Grass, offering colorful blooms throughout different seasons
• Reliable foliage plants like Hostas, Japanese Painted Fern, and Wild Ginger provide year-round interest with varied textures and colors in shaded gardens
• Ground covers such as Pachysandra, Sweet Woodruff, and Dead Nettle effectively prevent soil erosion while adding visual appeal to dark garden spaces
• Successful shade gardening requires proper soil preparation, regular maintenance, and attention to pH levels (5.5-6.5) for optimal plant growth

Full Shade Plants Outdoor

Flowering Plants

I’ve successfully grown these shade-tolerant flowering plants in my garden:

• Astilbe produces feathery plumes in pink red or white blooms from June to July
• Bleeding Heart features distinctive heart-shaped flowers on arching stems from April to June
• Japanese Forest Grass displays cascading yellow-striped foliage with delicate flowers
• Lily of the Valley creates fragrant white bell-shaped blooms in early spring
• Hellebore offers winter blooms in purple pink or white from December to March

Foliage Plants

These leafy plants thrive in my full shade garden:

• Hostas showcase large textured leaves in blue green or variegated patterns
• Japanese Painted Fern displays silver-frosted fronds with burgundy highlights
• Wild Ginger spreads deep green heart-shaped leaves as ground cover
• Coral Bells feature colorful leaves in purple bronze or lime green
• Golden Japanese Forest Grass maintains bright yellow-green foliage year-round

Ground Covers

• Sweet Woodruff creates mat-forming white flowers in spring
• Pachysandra forms evergreen carpets with glossy leaves
• Dead Nettle spreads quickly with silver-spotted foliage
• Irish Moss develops dense carpet-like growth in moist soil
• Ajuga produces blue flower spikes above bronze-tinted leaves

Understanding Full Shade Growing Conditions

Full shade conditions create unique growing environments that shape plant selection opportunities. I’ll explore the specific characteristics of full shade areas to help optimize plant choices for these challenging spaces.

What Defines Full Shade

Full shade areas receive less than 2 hours of direct sunlight or filtered light throughout the day. These conditions typically occur:

• Under dense tree canopies blocking 90-95% of sunlight
• On north-facing walls receiving only ambient light
• Between buildings creating permanent shadows
• Under covered porches or deep eaves
• In woodland settings with multiple layers of canopy

Light Requirements and Duration

Light exposure in full shade locations follows distinct patterns throughout the day:

• Morning Light: 0-1 hours of indirect eastern light
• Midday Sun: Only dappled or filtered light penetrates
• Afternoon Light: 0-1 hours of indirect western light
• Seasonal Changes: Light levels vary by 20-30% between summer and winter

Popular Flowering Shade Plants

I’ve discovered numerous flowering plants that thrive in full shade conditions, creating stunning displays of color even in the darkest corners of my garden. These shade-tolerant bloomers add visual interest through varied heights, textures, and flowering periods.

Shade-Loving Perennials

My experience with shade-loving perennials reveals these reliable bloomers:

• Astilbe displays feathery plumes in pink, white or red from June through July
• Bleeding Heart produces dangling heart-shaped blooms in spring with 24-36 inch height
• Hellebores offer winter-to-spring flowers in purple, white, pink varieties
• Japanese Anemone blooms late summer through fall reaching 24-48 inches tall
• Toadflax presents delicate purple-blue spikes from May through September

• Impatiens provide continuous blooms in white, pink, red, orange from spring until frost
• Begonias offer varied flower colors with heights of 6-12 inches
• Torenia shows snapdragon-like blooms in purple, pink, yellow combinations
• Coleus features colorful foliage plus small flower spikes in purple or blue
• Fuchsia produces pendant-shaped blooms in red, purple, pink pairings

Shade-Tolerant Ground Covers

Ground covers create a living carpet in shaded areas where grass won’t grow. I’ve found these plants excel at preventing soil erosion while adding texture to dark corners of the garden.

Spreading Plants for Coverage

These spreading ground covers efficiently fill large shaded spaces:

• Pachysandra terminalis grows 6-8 inches tall with glossy evergreen leaves
• Vinca minor spreads 12-18 inches annually with purple-blue flowers
• English Ivy maintains year-round coverage with 4-6 inch climbing vines
• Wild Ginger forms dense 4-6 inch mats with heart-shaped foliage
• Sweet Woodruff produces white flowers in spring with fragrant foliage

• Creeping Jenny forms bright green mats with yellow flowers
• Irish Moss creates dense carpets of emerald green foliage
• Dead Nettle offers variegated leaves with pink or white blooms
• Ajuga features deep purple leaves with blue flower spikes
• Mondo Grass grows in tidy clumps with grass-like leaves

Foliage Plants That Thrive in Full Shade

Foliage plants create stunning visual interest in shaded gardens through their diverse leaf shapes textures colors. I’ve found these plants provide year-round appeal while requiring minimal maintenance in full shade conditions.

Hostas and Ferns

My experience with hostas and ferns shows they’re unmatched for reliability in deep shade areas. Here’s what makes them essential shade garden staples:

Hostas:

• ‘Sum and Substance’ grows 36 inches tall with chartreuse leaves
• ‘Blue Angel’ features 16-inch powder-blue leaves
• ‘Patriot’ displays white-edged variegated foliage
• ‘Fire Island’ produces golden leaves with red stems
• ‘Frances Williams’ offers blue-green leaves with yellow margins

Ferns:

• Japanese Painted Fern reaches 18 inches with silver-gray fronds
• Autumn Fern changes from copper to green throughout seasons
• Lady Fern grows 30 inches tall with lacy fronds
• Hart’s Tongue Fern displays glossy strap-like leaves
• Northern Maidenhair Fern features delicate black stems

Colorful Shade Foliage Options

These shade-tolerant plants add vibrant colors to dark corners:

• Burgundy leaves from Heuchera varieties
• Silver-spotted foliage from Pulmonaria
• Golden Japanese Forest Grass for bright accents
• Purple-tinted Ligularia leaves
• Variegated Solomon’s Seal with white-edged leaves

Tips for Growing Plants in Deep Shade

Growing plants in deep shade requires specific attention to soil health drainage. I’ve developed effective strategies for maintaining thriving shade gardens through years of experience.

Soil Preparation and Maintenance

Deep shade soil preparation starts with adding organic matter to improve drainage fertility. I mix 3-4 inches of compost leaf mold into the top 8-10 inches of soil before planting. My soil testing reveals shade gardens need:

• Annual pH testing to maintain 5.5-6.5 levels optimal for shade plants
• 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture prevent weed growth
• Removal of surface tree roots that compete for nutrients water
• Regular soil aeration to prevent compaction in dense shade areas
• Addition of lime if pH drops below 5.5 in acidic conditions

• Morning watering to allow foliage to dry before evening
• Deep watering 1-2 times weekly delivering 1-1.5 inches of water
• Monthly applications of balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer from spring through mid-summer
• Reduced fertilizing in late summer fall to prevent tender growth
• Soil moisture monitoring using a moisture meter probe

Blooms of Bleeding Hearts

Creating a thriving garden in full shade isn’t just possible – it’s an exciting opportunity to explore a whole new world of fascinating plants. I’ve discovered that these shade-loving varieties can transform even the darkest corners into lush green sanctuaries.

From the dramatic foliage of hostas to the delicate blooms of bleeding hearts my shaded garden has become a testament to nature’s adaptability. I’m continually amazed by how these plants not only survive but flourish in low-light conditions.

Whether you’re dealing with dense tree cover or north-facing spaces I encourage you to embrace your shaded areas. With the right plant selection and proper care you’ll soon have a beautiful garden that proves sunshine isn’t everything in creating an outdoor paradise.