101 Perennials that Do Well in Shade (A to Z)

101 perennials that like the shade. A to Z database. Photos and charts for every entry.

Welcome to our database of perennials that thrive in shade. If you want to design a garden, check out these garden design software options.

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 To learn more about each item in the perennial gallery, click the toggle button below the images. All perennials ordered A to Z by default.

Photos and Charts

Arisaema (Arisaema engleri)

Common Name:

Arisaema

Scientific Name:

Arisaema engleri

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Medium to wet

Soil PH:

6-7

Flower Color:

Purple flower spike with brownish-purple white-lined bract

Special Characteristics:

Poisonous

Hardiness Zone(s):

6 to 9

Height At Maturity:

1.50 to 2.00 feet

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Arisaema (Arisaema ringens)

Common Name:

Arisaema

Scientific Name:

Arisaema ringens

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Medium to wet

Soil PH:

5.6-7.5

Flower Color:

Green and purple striped spathe with a yellow and white spadix

Special Characteristics:

Fragrant

Hardiness Zone(s):

6 to 9

Height At Maturity:

12-18"

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Arisaema (Arisaema serratum var. serratum)

Common Name:

Arisaema

Scientific Name:

Arisaema serratum var. serratum

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Medium to wet

Soil PH:

5.6 to 6.0

Flower Color:

green and purple spathe with white stripes

Special Characteristics:

Poisonous

Hardiness Zone(s):

5 to 9

Height At Maturity:

3-4'

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Arisaema (Arisaema serratum)

Common Name:

Arisaema

Scientific Name:

Arisaema serratum

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Medium to wet

Soil PH:

5.5-6.5

Flower Color:

Green and purple spathe with white stripes

Special Characteristics:

Poisonous

Hardiness Zone(s):

5 to 9

Height At Maturity:

3-4'

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Astilbe (Astilbe “Burgunderrot” BURGUNDY RED)

Common Name:

Astilbe

Scientific Name:

Astilbe "Burgunderrot" BURGUNDY RED

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Medium

Soil PH:

5.5-6.5

Flower Color:

Burgundy red

Special Characteristics:

Deer resistant, Tolerates rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

4 to 8

Height At Maturity:

12-18'

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Astilbe (Astilbe × arendsii Amethyst)

Common Name:

Astilbe

Scientific Name:

Astilbe × arendsii Amethyst

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Medium

Soil PH:

5.8 to 6.8

Flower Color:

Lilac-purple

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates rabbit and deer

Hardiness Zone(s):

4 to 8

Height At Maturity:

18-24'

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Astilbe (Astilbe × arendsii Fanal)

Common Name:

Astilbe

Scientific Name:

Astilbe × arendsii Fanal

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Medium

Soil PH:

5.8 to 6.8

Flower Color:

Deep red

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates deer and rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

3 to 8

Height At Maturity:

12-18'

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Astilbe (Astilbe × arendsii Rotlicht RED LIGHT)

Common Name:

Astilbe

Scientific Name:

Astilbe × arendsii Rotlicht RED LIGHT

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Medium

Soil PH:

6-7

Flower Color:

Red

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates deer and rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

4 to 8

Height At Maturity:

12-24'

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Astilbe (Astilbe Rheinland)

Common Name:

Astilbe

Scientific Name:

Astilbe Rheinland

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Medium

Soil PH:

5.8 to 6.8

Flower Color:

Clear pink

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates deer and rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

4 to 8

Height At Maturity:

12-18'

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bethlehem sage (Pulmonaria saccharata)

Common Name:

Bethlehem sage

Scientific Name:

Pulmonaria saccharata

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Medium

Soil PH:

7-7.5

Flower Color:

Blue

Special Characteristics:

Deer resistant

Hardiness Zone(s):

3 to 8

Height At Maturity:

8-12”

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium × rubrum)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium × rubrum

Type:

perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.1 to 6.5

Flower Color:

Crimson/yellow

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates rabbit and deer

Hardiness Zone(s):

5 to 9

Height At Maturity:

8-12"

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium × versicolor Sulphureum)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium × versicolor Sulphureum

Type:

perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.2-6.5

Flower Color:

Yellow

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates rabbit and deer

Hardiness Zone(s):

5 to 9

Height At Maturity:

8-12"

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium × warleyense)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium × warleyense

Type:

perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

5.1 to 5.5

Flower Color:

Coppery orange-red and yellow

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates rabbit and deer

Hardiness Zone(s):

4 to 8

Height At Maturity:

9-12'

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium × youngianum)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium × youngianum

Type:

perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.2-6.5

Flower Color:

Light pinkish white

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates deer and rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

4 to 8

Height At Maturity:

6-8"

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium acuminatum)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium acuminatum

Type:

perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.2-6.5

Flower Color:

Purplish and white

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates deer and rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

5 to 9

Height At Maturity:

12-24'

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium alpinum)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium alpinum

Type:

perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.2-6.5

Flower Color:

Red/yellow

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates deer and rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

4 to 8

Height At Maturity:

6-9"

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium brevicornu)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium brevicornu

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.2-6.5

Flower Color:

Purple and white

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates rabbit, deer-resistant, showy flowers, easy-to-grow

Hardiness Zone(s):

4 to 8

Height At Maturity:

12-24'

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium fargesii)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium fargesii

Type:

perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.2-6.5

Flower Color:

Purple and white with yellow stamens

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates deer and rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

5 to 9

Height At Maturity:

15-20"

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium grandiflorum “Lilafee”)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium grandiflorum "Lilafee"

Type:

perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.2-6.5

Flower Color:

Lavender, violet

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates deer and rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

5 to 8

Height At Maturity:

10-15”

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium grandiflorum)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium grandiflorum

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.2-6.5

Flower Color:

Pink, rose, violet, purple, white

Special Characteristics:

Deer resistant, Tolerates rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

5 to 8

Height At Maturity:

9-18"

Sun:

Full Shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium grandiflorum)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium grandiflorum

Type:

perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.2-6.5

Flower Color:

Pink, rose, violet, purple, white

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates deer and rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

5 to 8

Height At Maturity:

10-15”

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium leptorrhizum)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium leptorrhizum

Type:

perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.2-6.5

Flower Color:

White tinged with rose pink and lilac

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates deer and rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

5 to 8

Height At Maturity:

6-8"

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium lishihchenii)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium lishihchenii

Type:

perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.2-6.5

Flower Color:

Yellow

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates deer and rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

4 to 8

Height At Maturity:

12-18'

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium perralderianum)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium perralderianum

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.2-6.5

Flower Color:

Yellow

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates rabbit, deer-resistant, showy flowers, easy-to-grow

Hardiness Zone(s):

5 to 9

Height At Maturity:

6-10”

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium pubescens)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium pubescens

Type:

perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.2-6.5

Flower Color:

White sepals and yellow petals

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates deer and rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

5 to 9

Height At Maturity:

9-12"

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Bishop’s hat (Epimedium stellulatum)

Common Name:

Bishop's hat

Scientific Name:

Epimedium stellulatum

Type:

perennial

Water:

Dry to medium

Soil PH:

6.2-6.5

Flower Color:

White

Special Characteristics:

Tolerates deer and rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

4 to 8

Height At Maturity:

10-14”

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa)

Common Name:

Black cohosh

Scientific Name:

Actaea racemosa

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Medium

Soil PH:

5-6

Flower Color:

White

Special Characteristics:

Fragrant, Tolerates rabbit

Hardiness Zone(s):

3 to 8

Height At Maturity:

48-72"

Sun:

Full Shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa)

Common Name:

Black cohosh

Scientific Name:

Actaea racemosa

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Medium

Soil PH:

5-6

Flower Color:

White

Special Characteristics:

Fragrant, deer-resistant

Hardiness Zone(s):

3 to 8

Height At Maturity:

4-6’

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Black hellebore (Helleborus niger)

Common Name:

Black hellebore

Scientific Name:

Helleborus niger

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Medium

Soil PH:

7-8

Flower Color:

White fading to blush pink with yellow stamens

Special Characteristics:

Showy, cut flowers, tolerates deer

Hardiness Zone(s):

3 to 8

Height At Maturity:

8-15"

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

Black hellebore (Helleborus niger)

Common Name:

Black hellebore

Scientific Name:

Helleborus niger

Type:

Perennial

Water:

Medium

Soil PH:

7-8

Flower Color:

White fading to blush pink with yellow stamens

Special Characteristics:

Deer-resistant, showy flowers, cut flowers, easy-to-grow, poisonous

Hardiness Zone(s):

3 to 8

Height At Maturity:

8-15"

Sun:

Part shade to full shade

Sub Type:

Groundcover

More Perennials

Related: Our list of the 30 Prettiest Perennial Flowers

All plants need sunlight to grow but not all of them love sunlight as much as others. Some of them are known as perennials plants and flowers.

They are called perennials because they grow and blossom during spring and summer seasons but start to wilt and die on autumn and winter seasons. They sprout back again in springtime from their rootstock, the herbaceous perennials.

Known perennials are likely shady plants, as they would prefer to bloom hiding from direct sunlight.

This is perfect for those gardeners who are hesitant to grow flowers because of their shady locations.

Hence, they would rather prefer to plant green foliage, which is a bit plain looking without the colors and blooms but this thought is a mistake because there are several flowers and plants that are shade tolerant.

There are several flowers that grow well in shade like perennials that bloom in spring time and die after but do not worry, as they amazingly grow back when the searing season is up.

We have listed some of the perennial flowers and plants you can choose from and start growing in your own shady garden this spring or summer season. Check them out and get inspired.