Plant Encyclopedia

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10 plants

Pink feathery plumes of astilbe in a shaded borderPerennials

Astilbe × arendsii

False Spirea

False Spirea is an elegant shade plant with feathery plumes in pink, red, or white above deeply cut foliage. It blooms from June to August, and the plumes retain their ornamental value even when dried. Astilbe thrives in moist, shady spots where many other plants struggle.

Partial shadeHigh50100 cm
Pink flower clusters of Elephant's Ears above large leathery leavesPerennials

Bergenia cordifolia

Elephant's Ears

Elephant's Ears is a tough ground cover with large, leathery leaves that turn a stunning red in autumn and winter. From March to May, clusters of pink flowers appear on sturdy stems. The plant is evergreen, extremely hardy, and thrives in almost any position.

Partial shadeMedium3045 cm
Sky-blue flowers of Siberian bugloss above silver-toned foliagePerennials

Brunnera macrophylla

Siberian Bugloss

Siberian Bugloss is an elegant shade plant with clouds of small sky-blue flowers above large, heart-shaped foliage. Blooming occurs in April and May, reminiscent of common forget-me-nots. The silver-toned leaves of popular cultivars remain decorative throughout the season.

Partial shadeMedium3045 cm
Pink heart-shaped flowers of bleeding heart on arching stemsPerennials

Dicentra spectabilis

Bleeding Heart

Bleeding Heart is a charming perennial with gracefully arching flower sprays full of heart-shaped pink and white blooms. Flowering appears from April to June above refined blue-green foliage. After blooming, the plant retreats and the foliage disappears entirely.

Partial shadeMedium6090 cm
Pink-purple coneflower with orange-brown cone in a sunny borderPerennials

Echinacea purpurea

Purple Coneflower

Purple Coneflower is a sturdy perennial with distinctive pink-purple petals surrounding an orange-brown cone. The flowers appear from July to September and are a magnet for butterflies and bees. In autumn and winter, the seed heads attract goldfinches and other seed-eating birds.

Full sunLow60120 cm
Blue-violet Geranium Rozanne flowers in a summer borderPerennials

Geranium 'Rozanne'

Geranium 'Rozanne'

Geranium 'Rozanne' is one of the longest-flowering perennials, producing bright blue-violet blooms from June until the first frost. It grows as a wide, low mound and makes an outstanding ground cover. Rozanne is tough, disease-free, and fits nearly any garden style.

Partial shadeLow3050 cm
Purple-bronze foliage of coral bells in a partial shade borderPerennials

Heuchera micrantha

Coral Bells

Coral Bells is an elegant perennial prized primarily for its striking foliage in shades of purple, bronze and green. The delicate flower stems carry airy clusters of white or pink bells in summer. The plant is evergreen and provides year-round colour.

Partial shadeMedium3050 cm
Large blue-green hosta leaves in a shaded gardenPerennials

Hosta sieboldiana

Hosta

Hosta is the quintessential shade plant, valued for its large, blue-green, ribbed leaves. Light purple or white bell-shaped flowers appear on tall stems in July and August. Over the years the plant forms substantial clumps that give a shaded border a lush character.

Full shadeMedium5090 cm
Golden-yellow Black-eyed Susan with dark brown center in a sunny borderPerennials

Rudbeckia fulgida

Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan blooms from July through October with radiant golden-yellow petals surrounding a dark brown center. The plant is virtually indestructible, spreads gradually, and suits large borders and prairie-style gardens. After flowering, the seed heads provide food for birds.

Full sunLow6090 cm
Purple-blue flower spikes of woodland sage in a sunny borderPerennials

Salvia nemorosa

Woodland Sage

Woodland Sage is a compact perennial with striking purple-blue flower spikes blooming from June to August. It attracts plenty of bees and butterflies and works well in sunny borders. Cutting back spent flower stems often triggers a second flush of blooms.

Full sunLow3060 cm