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.
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Bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis)
Common Name:
Bloodroot
Scientific Name:
Sanguinaria Canadensis
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
5-7
Flower Color:
White or pink tinged
Special Characteristics:
Cut flowers
Hardiness Zone(s):
3 to 8
Height At Maturity:
6-9"
Sun:
Full Shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria Canadensis)
Common Name:
Bloodroot
Scientific Name:
Sanguinaria Canadensis
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
5 to 7
Flower Color:
White or pink tinged
Special Characteristics:
Showy flowers
Hardiness Zone(s):
3 to 8
Height At Maturity:
6-9"
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)
Common Name:
Bunchberry
Scientific Name:
Cornus canadensis
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
6.5-7
Flower Color:
White
Special Characteristics:
Attracts birds and butterflies, Deer resistant, Tolerates rabbit, Edible
Hardiness Zone(s):
2 to 6
Height At Maturity:
3-9"
Sun:
Full Shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)
Common Name:
Bunchberry
Scientific Name:
Cornus canadensis
Type:
Shrub
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
Neutral, Acidic
Flower Color:
White
Special Characteristics:
Attracts birds and butterflies Attracts birds and butterflies, Tolerates rabbit,
Hardiness Zone(s):
2 to 6
Height At Maturity:
3" to 9"
Sun:
Full sun to part shade
Buzzy lizzy (Impatiens walleriana)
Common Name:
Buzzy Lizzy
Scientific Name:
Impatiens walleriana
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Moderate Moisture
Soil PH:
Neutral
Flower Color:
Pink, rose, red, lilac, purple, orange, white & bicolors
Special Characteristics:
Container
Hardiness Zone(s):
10 to 11
Height At Maturity:
6" to 24"
Sun:
Partial Shade to Full Shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover, Houseplant
Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis var. pumila)
Common Name:
Chinese astilbe
Scientific Name:
Astilbe chinensis var. pumila
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
6-8
Flower Color:
Mauve pink
Special Characteristics:
Tolerates rabbit, deer-resistant, showy flowers, cut flowers
Hardiness Zone(s):
4 to 8
Height At Maturity:
9-12”
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis var. taquetii ”Superba”)
Common Name:
Chinese astilbe
Scientific Name:
Astilbe chinensis var. taquetii ''Superba''
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Dry to medium
Soil PH:
6-8
Flower Color:
Deep lilac
Special Characteristics:
Tolerates rabbit, deer-resistant, showy flowers, cut flowers
Hardiness Zone(s):
4 to 8
Height At Maturity:
24-48'
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Christmas rose (Helleborus “Walhelivor” IVORY PRINCE)
Common Name:
Christmas rose
Scientific Name:
Helleborus "Walhelivor" IVORY PRINCE
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
7-8
Flower Color:
Creamy white
Special Characteristics:
Deer-resistant
Hardiness Zone(s):
3 to 8
Height At Maturity:
12-15”
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Common Foxglove (Digitalis Purpurea)
Common Name:
Common Foxglove
Scientific Name:
Digitalis purpurea
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Moderate
Soil PH:
6.1 to 7.8
Flower Color:
Purple, Pale pink, White
Special Characteristics:
Attracts birds and butterflies, Self Sowing, Easy to grow
Hardiness Zone(s):
4 to 8
Height At Maturity:
2' to 5'
Sun:
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Sub Type:
Herb
Common lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)
Common Name:
Common lungwort
Scientific Name:
Pulmonaria officinalis
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
4.5-6.8
Flower Color:
Pink aging to rose-violet maturing to blue
Special Characteristics:
Deer-resistant
Hardiness Zone(s):
3 to 8
Height At Maturity:
6-12'
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Common lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis)
Common Name:
Common lungwort
Scientific Name:
Pulmonaria officinalis
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
4.5-6.8
Flower Color:
Pink aging to rose-violet maturing to blue
Special Characteristics:
Deer-resistant, showy flowers, easy-to-grow
Hardiness Zone(s):
3 to 8
Height At Maturity:
6-12'
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Corsican hellebore (Helleborus argutifolius)
Common Name:
Corsican hellebore
Scientific Name:
Helleborus argutifolius
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
5.90–6.04
Flower Color:
Pale green
Special Characteristics:
Deer-resistant
Hardiness Zone(s):
6 to 8
Height At Maturity:
18-24”
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Corsican hellebore (Helleborus argutifolius)
Common Name:
Corsican hellebore
Scientific Name:
Helleborus argutifolius
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
6.1 to 6.5
Flower Color:
Pale green
Special Characteristics:
Deer-resistant, showy flowers, easy-to-grow
Hardiness Zone(s):
6 to 8
Height At Maturity:
18-24”
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Corydalis (Corydalis lutea)
Common Name:
Corydalis
Scientific Name:
Corydalis lutea
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
6.5-7
Flower Color:
Yellow
Special Characteristics:
Showy flowers
Hardiness Zone(s):
5 to 7
Height At Maturity:
12-18'
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Corydalis (Corydalis ophiocarpa)
Common Name:
Corydalis
Scientific Name:
Corydalis ophiocarpa
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
6-7
Flower Color:
Ivory
Special Characteristics:
Showy flowers
Hardiness Zone(s):
5 to 8
Height At Maturity:
12-30'
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Dutchmans breeches (Dicentra cucullaria)
Common Name:
Dutchmans breeches
Scientific Name:
Dicentra cucullaria
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
6.8-7.2
Flower Color:
White to pink
Special Characteristics:
Tolerates rabbit, showy flowers
Hardiness Zone(s):
3 to 7
Height At Maturity:
6-12'
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Dwarf lilyturf (Ophiopogon japonicus)
Common Name:
Dwarf lilyturf
Scientific Name:
Ophiopogon japonicus
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
5.6-6
Flower Color:
White to lilac
Special Characteristics:
Easy-to-grow
Hardiness Zone(s):
7 to 10
Height At Maturity:
8-12”
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Eastern Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)
Common Name:
Eastern Purple Coneflower
Scientific Name:
Echinacea
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Drought resistant
Soil PH:
5.8
Flower Color:
Purplish pink
Special Characteristics:
Attracts birds and butterflies, container, deer resistant
Hardiness Zone(s):
3 to 9
Height At Maturity:
4' to 5'
Sun:
Full, Partial
Sub Type:
Herb, Groundcover
Eastern round-leaved violet (Viola rotundifolia)
Common Name:
Eastern round-leaved violet
Scientific Name:
Viola rotundifolia
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium to wet
Soil PH:
5.6-7.5
Flower Color:
Yellow
Special Characteristics:
Deer-resistant, showy flowers
Hardiness Zone(s):
3 to 7
Height At Maturity:
3-6'
Sun:
Full Shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
European wild ginger (Asarum europaeum)
Common Name:
European wild ginger
Scientific Name:
Asarum europaeum
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium to wet
Soil PH:
4-6
Flower Color:
Greenish-yellow to brown
Special Characteristics:
Deer-resistant, easy-to-grow
Hardiness Zone(s):
4 to 7
Height At Maturity:
3-6'
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Firecracker Flower (Justicia Rizzinii)
Common Name:
Firecracker Flower
Scientific Name:
Justicia Rizzinii
Type:
Shrub
Water:
Moderate
Soil PH:
6.1 to 7.5
Flower Color:
Red
Special Characteristics:
Tolerates Drought, Attracts birds and butterflies, Cut flower
Hardiness Zone(s):
9
Height At Maturity:
24" to 36"
Sun:
Part Shade to Full Shade
Sub Type:
Evergreen
Fumewort (Corydalis solida)
Common Name:
Fumewort
Scientific Name:
Corydalis solida
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium to wet
Soil PH:
6.5-7.5
Flower Color:
Purplish red
Special Characteristics:
Container
Hardiness Zone(s):
4 to 8
Height At Maturity:
6-12"
Sun:
Full Shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Fumewort (Corydalis solida)
Common Name:
Fumewort
Scientific Name:
Corydalis solida
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium to wet
Soil PH:
6.1-6.5
Flower Color:
Purplish red
Special Characteristics:
Showy flowers
Hardiness Zone(s):
4 to 8
Height At Maturity:
6-12'
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Globe flower (Trollius europaeus)
Common Name:
Globe flower
Scientific Name:
Trollius europaeus
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium to wet
Soil PH:
5 to 7
Flower Color:
Yellow
Special Characteristics:
Tolerates rabbit, showy flowers
Hardiness Zone(s):
3 to 6
Height At Maturity:
18-24”
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Globe flower (Trollius ledebourii)
Common Name:
Globe flower
Scientific Name:
Trollius ledebourii
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium to wet
Soil PH:
5.8 - 6.8
Flower Color:
Orange
Special Characteristics:
Tolerates rabbit, showy flower
Hardiness Zone(s):
3 to 7
Height At Maturity:
24-36'
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Golden corydalis (Corydalis aurea)
Common Name:
Golden corydalis
Scientific Name:
Corydalis aure
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
6.1-7.8
Flower Color:
Yellow
Special Characteristics:
Poisonous
Hardiness Zone(s):
5-9
Height At Maturity:
6-12"
Sun:
Full Shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Golden knee (Chrysogonum virginianum)
Common Name:
Golden knee
Scientific Name:
Chrysogonum virginianum
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium to wet
Soil PH:
6-7.5
Flower Color:
Yellow
Special Characteristics:
Showy flowers
Hardiness Zone(s):
5 to 9
Height At Maturity:
3-4”
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Great white trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)
Common Name:
Great white trillium
Scientific Name:
Trillium grandiflorum
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Medium
Soil PH:
5.6 to 6.0
Flower Color:
White
Special Characteristics:
Showy flowers
Hardiness Zone(s):
4 to 8
Height At Maturity:
8-18"
Sun:
Part shade to full shade
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Gumamela (Hibiscus)
Common Name:
Gumamela
Scientific Name:
Hibiscus
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Moderate
Soil PH:
7.0
Flower Color:
Red to dark red
Special Characteristics:
Attracts birds and butterflies, container, Deer resistant
Hardiness Zone(s):
9 to 11
Height At Maturity:
8' to 10'
Sun:
Full, partial sun
Sub Type:
Groundcover
Hardy impatiens (Impatiens Omeiana)
Common Name:
Hardy Impatiens
Scientific Name:
Impatiens Omeiana
Type:
Perennial
Water:
Needs Moderate Moisture
Soil PH:
6.0 to 7.5
Flower Color:
Orange, Apricot, Yellow
Special Characteristics:
Container
Hardiness Zone(s):
6 to 9
Height At Maturity:
9" to 18"
Sun:
Partial 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.