Gardeners who lack sunlight in certain areas of their gardens, balconies or patios due to the presence of overhanging trees or shadows cast by buildings can take heart. Many annual flowers and foliage plants thrive in shade or low light.
Table of Contents
One of the most popular annual shade flowers is impatiens. Just about any soil will do as long as it is well-drained. Don’t over water, but keep an eye out for wilting in very hot weather. Flowers will droop noticeably if they need water. Occasional fertilizer is all that is needed to keep impatiens happy and blooming like crazy from spring until frost. Colors are unbelievably gorgeous; soft pastel pinks and lavenders, fluorescent oranges and fuchsias, and a white so white it glows in the deep shade of a late afternoon. Impatiens is seasonally hardy in zones 1 to 11 and grows from 9-21 inches tall depending on variety. This garden all-star does well in pots, beds or hanging baskets.
There are several types of begonias, but the most common is the standard wax begonia seen in garden centers every spring. They are easy to grow and require little more than routine watering and standard fertilizer. They do like to be groomed, however, so plan on removing spent flowers and dead leaves and cutting off any leggy stems. This bit of attention will keep plants looking neat and blooming steadily from spring until fall. Begonias are easy to propagate from cuttings, so each plant can produce others. Excellent choices for containers or hanging baskets, begonias also thrive in beds where they make colorful borders and edgings. Begonias are hardy in all zones from spring until frost and will grow to be 7-10 inches tall on average. Flower colors range from pure white through shades of pink to brilliant red. Some new varieties are variegated. Leaves may be standard green or bronze.
Coleus comes in several varieties that grow well in sun, but the older varieties prefer a shady spot. Leaves are the stars of the show on coleus plants. There are flowers, but they are insignificant spikes best cut or pinched off when they appear. Coleus leaves are heavily veined and may be beautifully patterned in two or even three colors. Coleus does well in the ground, in pots and in hanging baskets. It is attractive with other foliage plants or with flowers. If using flowers, be sure they can hold their own with the strong hues and patterns of coleus leaves. Coleus is hardy in zones 1 to 11 and will grow to be about 14-18 inches tall.
If dry shade is a problem, as it often is beneath the canopies of large, spreading trees, seek out those plant and flower varieties that will tolerate the lack of sunlight and also don’t require a lot of water. Plants are available to meet every gardening challenge.
Ferns for Shady Gardens
Use Caladiums for Color in Shade
Foliage Plants for a Shady Garden
Most homeowners have probably spent hours looking at the different types of garden seeders. You may have even come across…
When it comes to vehicle lovers, cleaning their cars on a regular basis is essential to maintaining the paint job's…
Gas chainsaws are the perfect tool for a variety of outdoor tasks, including chopping up logs for firewood, clearing brush…
A home can be a daunting project, one that takes some time and energy to maintain. With hard work, determination,…
Today ginger is grown all over tropical and subtropical regions in Asia, in parts of Africa and South America, and…
Onions are one of the most popular vegetables in the world, and growing onions is a snap in the home…