00:01So you have a shady garden. This does not mean you are limited to just plain
00:05green foliage plants. Whether it's a spot under a tree or near the side of the
00:09house that sees little sun, there's quite a variety of flowering plants that will
00:13not only thrive under these dimly lit locations, but will provide dazzling
00:17vivid color. Let's take a look at our top 15 flowering plants that will thrive in
00:23shade. Let's start with perennial plants. These shade-tolerant flowers can be
00:28planted once and will return with lovely flowers year after year. Astilbe with
00:33their fern-like foliage and fluffy flower heads prefer a spot that is moist to
00:38wet. The flowers, which are available in an array of colors, start to bloom early in
00:42the summer months. They can tolerate part shade to heavy shade, but growth may be
00:46stunted in heavy shade. The bleeding heart is adored for its arching stems of heart
00:51shaped flowers on this delicate looking but tough perennial in the spring. These
00:56plants prefer a partially shaded spot in moist soil. Some species may go dormant
01:01once the hot weather of summer arrives, but will return again the next year.
01:05Hellebore are among the earliest plants to bloom beginning late in the winter
01:09season. The nodding flowers are often fragrant and long-lasting with deep green
01:13foliage that remains aesthetically pleasing for the remainder of the season. This
01:18plant thrives in dappled light or even shade, even flourishing among tree roots near the
01:23edge of a canopy of large trees. Plus, this perennial is often disliked by deer and
01:28other animal pests. Although one of the best features of Jacob's Ladder is its
01:33fern-like foliage, the plant does erupt in late spring with blue or white flowers
01:37similar to flocks. This low-maintenance perennial prefers a woodland setting in a
01:42shady to semi-shady spot. Too much sun could scorch the foliage. Plant Siberian Iris for its lush,
01:50long-lasting blooms and low-maintenance, narrow foliage, which remains attractive even
01:55after the blooms are spent. The almost butterfly-like flowers bloom late spring on sturdy, upright stems.
02:01This plant is also very tolerant of wet sites in partial shade.
02:06Toad lily flowers are attractive in the shady landscape, blooming in a range of uniquely spotted
02:11colors in the fall months. Flowers may be star or bell-shaped, depending on which variety
02:16of toad lily is growing. They thrive in either part shade to full shade, in soil that is moist,
02:21but not overly soggy. The most interesting award goes to lungwort. With their spotted leaves and
02:27blooms that open with varying colors, this plant is one of the first shade lovers to bloom in the
02:32spring. Plant at the front of the border where it will stay short and spread steadily, but not
02:36invasively. Lungwort performs best in part to full shade. The Sweet Violet, a member of the Viola family,
02:43is a great front of the border perennial preventing a long bloom time. The Sweet Pansy flowers bloom in
02:49abundance in spring with often sporadic re-bloom throughout the growing season. Partial shade is
02:54recommended along with an early summer trim to produce fresh new growth. Tiarella, also known as
02:59the foam flower, is one of my favorite flowering perennials to use at the front of the border or to
03:04edge a shady walkway. These low-growing leafy plants bloom for an extended period of time with either
03:10pink or white flowers that appear above the foliage. Even when not in bloom, the foliage is showy and
03:15often multicolored depending on the variety. Columbine blooms in a variety of colors for several weeks
03:21in the spring. Plus, the bell-shaped flowers are a favorite to hummingbirds and make a nice cut flower.
03:27This airy plant bears attractive dark green foliage when not in bloom and be sure to cite this one in
03:33part shade in soil that is well-drained but not dry. The next six plants on our list are annuals
03:39in most
03:40growing zones. They may not come back year after year, but you cannot beat them for sheer flower power.
03:46Begonias are one of the most popular annuals for shade and for good reason. They are very easy to grow,
03:51require little maintenance, and are not picky about soil or light. There are literally hundreds if not
03:56thousands of varieties of begonias to choose from, including the common low-growing wax types,
04:01to tuberous types with their large, multi-pedaled flowers, to the dragonwing types that form eye-catching
04:07masses of flowers on plants that typically weep downwards, making them excellent for containers
04:13or hanging baskets. Many begonias can be kept as low-light house plants as well. Fuchsias are prized
04:20for their bright, tube-shaped blooms that are adored by hummingbirds. Sight this plant out of the hot
04:25afternoon sun and shelter it from damaging high winds. This plant will bloom all summer long,
04:30in varying shades of pink, white, purple, and even bicolors. There are dozens of different types of
04:37impatiens, with the most common low-growing type being the most popular, but also be on the lookout
04:41for double impatiens, with their heavy petal count, and New Guinea impatiens with their darker, larger leaves
04:47and more intensely colored flowers. All will bloom to their fullest potential from spring until the first
04:53frost, in part shade to heavy shade. Lobelia is an easy-to-grow, carefree plant that enjoys cooler weather.
05:00This summertime bloomer will continue to produce flowers up through the first frost, in part shade.
05:05They prefer moist, rich soil, and will make a terrific addition to window boxes, along the border,
05:11or wherever a cheerful splash of color is needed. Torrenia, also known as the wishbone flower,
05:16is a shade-loving annual that produces adorable little trumpet-shaped flowers in an array of colors,
05:21depending on the variety. They will bloom all summer, until the first frost. The wishbone flowers are
05:27also deer-resistant and attract hummingbirds. So instead of seeing your dimly-lit, lifeless spot
05:33as a problem, it should be viewed as an opportunity to experiment with a wide range of plants that
05:37thrive under these conditions. Until next time, happy gardening!
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