Plant Encyclopedia
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37 plants
PerennialsActaea simplex
Bugbane
Bugbane is a stately shade plant that blooms late in the season with elegant, fragrant white flower spires above dark purple foliage. The slender flower spikes appear in September and October when most plants have finished blooming. The combination of dark foliage and white flowers is breathtaking.
Ground coverAjuga reptans
Bugleweed
Bugleweed is a robust ground cover that spreads rapidly through runners. From April to June, dense spikes of blue-purple flowers rise above the dark green, glossy foliage. The plant is evergreen and forms a continuous carpet within a single growing season.
PerennialsAlchemilla mollis
Lady's Mantle
Lady's Mantle is a reliable perennial treasured for its beautiful, scalloped leaves that catch dewdrops like tiny pearls. From June to July, clouds of delicate yellow-green flowers appear, making excellent cut flowers. The plant forms attractive, rounded clumps and works beautifully as edging.
PerennialsAnemone hupehensis
Japanese Anemone
The Japanese anemone is an elegant perennial that graces the garden from August to October with graceful, saucer-shaped flowers in pink or white. On tall, wiry stems the blooms dance above the dark green, three-lobed foliage. The plant truly comes into its own in the second or third year, forming lush colonies.
PerennialsAruncus dioicus
Goat's Beard
Goat's beard is a stately, woodland perennial with large, compound leaves and spectacular creamy-white flower plumes that rise above the foliage in June and July. This native plant can reach 180 cm tall and is perfect for partial shade beneath trees or along waterways.
PerennialsAstilbe × 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.
FernsAthyrium filix-femina
Lady Fern
The lady fern is a graceful, native fern with finely divided, light green fronds that have an airier and more elegant appearance than most other ferns. The plant forms attractive, funnel-shaped clumps that unfurl with charming, coiled fiddleheads in spring. A perfect companion for hostas and other shade-loving plants.
PerennialsBrunnera 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.
ShrubsCamellia japonica
Japanese Camellia
Japanese camellia is a stunning evergreen shrub with glossy dark green foliage and spectacular, rosette-shaped flowers in red, pink or white appearing from January to April — a welcome splash of colour in early spring. The elegant blooms resemble roses and can be double or single-petalled.
Ornamental grassesCarex morrowii
Japanese Sedge
Japanese Sedge is an elegant, evergreen ornamental grass with finely arching leaves often edged in white or cream. The plant forms neat, dome-shaped clumps that remain decorative year-round. Ideal for shady spots where few other ornamental grasses thrive.
PerennialsChelone obliqua
Turtlehead
Turtlehead gets its name from its unusual flower shape that resembles a turtle's head. The pink, lip-shaped flowers appear in dense spikes from August to September. This sturdy plant thrives in moist, shady spots and is perfect for waterside planting.
PerennialsConvallaria majalis
Lily of the Valley
Lily of the Valley is an enchanting shade plant with delightfully fragrant, small white bell-shaped flowers on arching stems. The plant blooms in April and May, spreading an unforgettable sweet scent through the garden. Note: all parts of the plant are poisonous.
PerennialsDicentra 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.
PerennialsDigitalis purpurea
Foxglove
Foxglove is an imposing plant with tall flower spikes packed with thimble-shaped blooms in purple, pink, or white. The flowers appear from June to July on one-sided spires reaching up to one and a half metres. The plant is biennial but self-sows reliably, returning each summer. Note: all parts are poisonous.
FernsDryopteris filix-mas
Male Fern
The male fern is a robust, native fern that forms a stately funnel of bipinnate fronds. The foliage is bright green and elegantly arching, creating a lush atmosphere in shaded garden areas. The plant is semi-evergreen to evergreen and tolerates more drought than most ferns. A reliable choice for shade borders and woodland gardens.
ShrubsEuonymus fortunei
Wintercreeper
Wintercreeper is a versatile evergreen shrub that can function as both ground cover and climbing plant. The variegated foliage with green and white or golden margins provides year-round colour. The plant is particularly suited to filling shady spots in the garden.
ShrubsFatsia japonica
Japanese Aralia
Japanese aralia is a tough evergreen shrub with spectacularly large, glossy dark green, palmate leaves that create an exotic, tropical feel. In October and November rounded clusters of creamy-white flowers appear, followed by black berries that attract birds. Excellent as a structural plant in shady gardens.
Ornamental grassesHakonechloa macra
Japanese Forest Grass
Japanese Forest Grass is an exceptionally graceful grass with elegantly cascading foliage in warm golden-green tones. The leaves ripple like a waterfall over the edges of pots and borders. In autumn, the foliage turns deep red to orange for a spectacular final display.
PerennialsHelleborus orientalis
Lenten Rose
The Lenten Rose is one of the first bloomers of the garden year, with saucer-shaped flowers in purple, pink or white appearing as early as February. The evergreen, palmate foliage forms attractive clumps that remain decorative year-round. The plant is a valuable early nectar source for bees.
PerennialsHeuchera 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.
PerennialsHosta 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.
ShrubsHydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangea
Hydrangea is a popular garden shrub with large, globe-shaped flower heads blooming from June through September. The flowers turn blue in acidic soil and pink in alkaline soil. A sturdy plant that thrives in sheltered spots with partial shade.
PerennialsKirengeshoma palmata
Yellow Wax Bells
Yellow wax bells is an elegant shade plant with palmate, maple-like leaves and pendulous, waxy yellow bell-shaped flowers appearing in August and September. The graceful, arching stems give this rare plant a particularly refined appearance.
Ground coverLamium maculatum
Spotted Dead-nettle
Spotted Dead-nettle is an attractive ground cover with silver-green leaves marked by a distinctive pattern. From April to June, lipped flowers appear in pink, purple, or white. The plant is semi-evergreen and quickly forms an ornamental carpet beneath trees and shrubs.
Ground coverLiriope muscari
Lily Turf
Lily Turf is a robust evergreen ground cover with grass-like dark green foliage and striking purple flower spikes in late summer. The plant forms dense clumps that suppress weeds effectively. After flowering, decorative black berries appear and persist through winter.
PerennialsPersicaria amplexicaulis
Mountain Fleece
Mountain Fleece is a vigorous, reliable perennial with slender, upright flower spikes in red or pink. It blooms tirelessly from July to October and forms dense clumps of fresh green foliage. Excellent for partial shade and moist conditions.
ShrubsPieris japonica
Japanese Andromeda
Japanese andromeda is an elegant evergreen shrub that captivates three times a year: in spring with graceful, drooping clusters of white bell-shaped flowers; then with spectacular red or bronze new foliage that gradually turns green; and year-round with its compact, glossy canopy. A jewel in the shade border.
PerennialsPolemonium caeruleum
Jacob's Ladder
Jacob's ladder is a graceful perennial with elegantly pinnate foliage and clusters of sky-blue, bell-shaped flowers appearing in May and June. The name refers to the ladder-like arrangement of leaflets along the leaf stem. A valuable spring bloomer for partial shade.
FernsPolystichum setiferum
Soft Shield Fern
The soft shield fern is an elegant, evergreen fern with finely divided, soft green fronds that arch gracefully outwards. The plant forms a beautiful rosette and fits perfectly in shady borders and woodland gardens. Mature specimens can reach up to 120 centimetres across.
PerennialsPrimula vulgaris
Common Primrose
The Common Primrose is one of the most beloved spring flowers, with soft, pale yellow blooms emerging from a compact leaf rosette. Flowering lasts from March to May and heralds the arrival of spring. The plant thrives best in a natural, partially shaded garden.
PerennialsPulmonaria officinalis
Lungwort
Lungwort is an early-flowering shade plant with strikingly spotted foliage and charming flowers that change from pink to blue. The plant blooms as early as March, providing vital early nectar for bees. The decorative leaves remain attractive throughout the season.
ShrubsRhododendron catawbiense
Rhododendron
The Rhododendron is an evergreen shrub that produces spectacular clusters of purple or pink flowers in May and June above glossy dark-green foliage. The shrub can grow quite large and makes an imposing presence in partial shade. Rhododendrons are iconic in woodland gardens and rural plantings.
PerennialsRodgersia pinnata
Featherleaf Rodgersia
Featherleaf rodgersia is an imposing foliage plant with large, pinnate, bronze-green leaves that emerge with a striking bronze tint in spring. The plume-shaped pink flowers appear in June and July, towering above the foliage. An architectural plant for moist, sheltered spots.
ShrubsSkimmia japonica
Japanese Skimmia
Japanese Skimmia is a compact, evergreen shrub with aromatic dark green foliage, fragrant white flowers in March-April, and bright red berries in winter (on female plants). Providing year-round structure and colour, it is one of the most popular shrubs for shade and containers.
PerennialsTiarella cordifolia
Foam Flower
Foam Flower is a delicate shade plant with clouds of small white to pink flowers that seem to float above the heart-shaped foliage. Blooming lasts from April to June, adding an airy accent to the shade border. The foliage is evergreen and often turns an attractive bronze-red in autumn.
PerennialsTricyrtis hirta
Toad Lily
The toad lily is a fascinating shade plant with exotic-looking, orchid-like flowers speckled with purple spots on a white background. The blooms appear in September and October on arching stems, creating a unique presence in the autumn garden.
Ground coverVinca minor
Lesser Periwinkle
Lesser Periwinkle is an evergreen ground cover with glossy dark-green foliage and abundant blue-purple flowers from March to June. The plant forms a dense carpet that effectively suppresses weeds and is ideal under trees and shrubs. Periwinkle is extremely hardy and tolerates deep shade.