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.
We continually update this database, so please bookmark it and check back weekly.
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
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.
