If you’re looking to brighten up the shaded north side of your house, you’ll want to plant a few flowers that thrive in low-light conditions. The good news: There are several beautiful options that can flourish in these cooler, darker areas, from colorful blooms to lush foliage varieties. These picks all adapt well to less sunlight and will not only add life to your north-facing garden but also bring a touch of natural beauty to your home’s exterior.
Hostas
Hostas are perennial plants that are more recognized for their lush, foliage-focused appearance than for their blooms, which usually arrive in the middle of summer. Their leaves are available in a variety of hues, including blue, green, and variegated patterns. They thrive in partial to full shade, making them suitable for garden areas with limited sunlight. For optimum growth, hostas typically need moderate irrigation, meaning the soil should be kept constantly moist but not soggy.
Astilbes
Perennial asters distinguished by its fluffy plumes, asters bloom for several weeks from late spring to early summer. They are available in a variety of hues, including as lavender, pink, red, and white. These plants are good for shaded garden locations since they grow well in partial to full shade. Astilbes need frequent watering, especially in dry seasons, and appreciate constantly moist soil. They require little trimming and division every few years to avoid overcrowding, making them quite low maintenance.
Bleeding Heart
The bleeding heart plant is a good choice for forest gardens because it blooms in the spring and likes to be in partial to full shade. Its preferred growing conditions are damp, well-drained soil and constant irrigation, particularly in dry spells. With the right care, this perennial that is hardy in zones 3 through 9 will come back every year. Although it doesn’t attract many pollinators, its unusual heart-shaped flowers provide something special to any shady landscape.
Ferns
Unlike many other flowering plants, ferns reproduce by spores rather than by blooming. These perennial plants are perfect for locations with little sunshine because they flourish in shaded settings. To keep their lush foliage, they need regular watering and appreciate soil that drains well. Because ferns typically withstand deer and rabbit damage, they are a dependable option for gardens that are plagued by these pests. They are usually unattractive to pollinators like bees and butterflies because they don’t have blooms.
Heucheras
Coral bells, also referred to as heucheras, are available in a wide range of colors, from vivid green to deep purple. These perennials are adaptable to a variety of climates because they grow well in hardiness zones 4 through 9. They do best in soil that drains well and in moderate to full shade. Heucheras are low-maintenance plants by nature. Once established, they only need occasional watering and are resistant to deer and rabbits, which makes them a sensible choice for many gardens.
Toad Lilies
Usually blooming from late summer to early fall, toad lilies give a distinctive appearance to gardens with shadows. They need regular watering, especially during dry seasons, and do best in moist, well-drained soil. Toad lilies are perennials in the wild, returning year after year in hardiness zones 4 through 8. Even though they might not have a strong scent, their blossoms draw pollinators like butterflies and bees, which benefits the ecosystem of gardens.
Lungwort
Lungwort typically blooms for a few weeks in the early spring. These perennials are good for shaded garden areas since they grow well in partial to full shade. They require regular watering, especially during dry spells, and like soil that is evenly moist and well-drained. Lungwort is a fantastic choice for gardens in places where deer and rabbits are present because it is noteworthy for its resistance to these animals.
Japanese Anemones
Perennial plants called Japanese anemones are well-known for their multi-week-long blooms that occur in late summer to early fall. They are available in a variety of colors, including as white, pink, and purple. These plants can withstand full sun, although they do best in moderate light. They simply require moderate watering and well-drained soil, making them very low care. Well-known for their hardiness, Japanese anemones are also somewhat resistant to deer and rabbits, which makes them a good option for gardens across a range of climates.