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rocket
The common name for this plant is “rocket”, but it is also known as “rocket”. Ligularia. The nickname comes from its yellow flowers that emerge from large green leaves. These perennials thrive in moist, very shady environments, so they are ideal for those who live in dark, rainy areas.
Hardness zone: 4 to 8
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade and medium to moist soil.
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Bleeding heart
Filling the romantic mood with these colorful, heart-shaped perennials that can grow in shade. The Missouri Botanical Garden notes that these flowers bloom in late spring, grow 2 to 3 feet tall, and thrive in moist, shady soil. The drooping heart petals will make any shady yard look beautiful, and butterflies love these flowers.
Hardness zone: 3 to 9
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade and well-drained soil.
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Lily of the valley
These beautiful white flowers with pendulous bulbs can thrive in partial or full shade. They bloom in the spring, can tolerate a variety of soil conditions, and can even reproduce in the fall. They are not fans of hot summers, so they are the perfect flower for cooler climates and places that don’t get much sunlight.
Hardness zone: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.
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Columbine
This flower does best in partial shade and sun, so it’s not the best choice if your garden doesn’t get full sun. The red and yellow petals add a pop of color to your garden, and may attract hummingbirds. You don’t have to worry much about watering these plants as they have a wide range of soil and water tolerance.
Hardness zone: 3 to 9
Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade and average soil.
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daffodil
Add some bright yellow to a dark garden with a group of daffodils. These yellow and white flowers can grow in partial shade—they do well in full sun, too—and are easily grown in average soil conditions. Daffodils require little moisture but can tolerate drought if necessary. Enjoy the colorful flowers when they bloom each spring and cut the foliage when it starts to turn yellow for proper maintenance.
Hardness zone: 4 to 8
Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade and average soil.
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Colorful Japanese fern
This leafy plant can grow in full to partial shade and features soft green, silver and maroon colors. Water it well so the soil never dries out and it should grow 1 to 1 1/2 feet tall. You can enjoy this plant during the summer and fall, and it will come back in the spring when planted properly.
Hardness zone: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: Partial shade to full shade and well-drained soil.
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Pachisandra
Another leafy green plant that loves shade, pachysandra can grow in full shade, but thrives with a little sun in partial shade. This shrub-like plant blooms in April, requires moderate watering, and the Missouri Botanical Garden notes that it is fairly low maintenance.
Hardness zone: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: Partial shade to full shade and well-drained soil.
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Jack Frost Siberian Bugloss
The heart-shaped green leaves with small blue flowers of this plant will add some uniqueness and color to your garden. They can grow in partial shade, so just make sure you plant them in a place that gets a little light every now and then. The Jack Frost Siberian Bugloss can grow in USDA zones 3 through 8, but prefers cool summers, so it thrives in zones 7 through 8.
Hardness zone: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: Partial shade and average soil.
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Limelight hydrangea
This is a cone-shaped perennial flower that grows in the summer and can bloom later in the season, so you can enjoy these flowers in the fall as well. The cool green flowers turn to a deeper pink and can grow eight to 10 feet tall, according to space. Farmers Almanac. If you live in a city and want to liven up a small outdoor space or patio, the Missouri Botanical Garden says these perennials thrive in urban areas.
Hardness zone: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: Part shade to full sun and well-drained soil.
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Spanish bluebell
The Spanish bell is a plant that can thrive in partial shade with moderate watering in well-drained, sandy soil. The blue, white and lavender petals of this plant bloom in spring and hang into a bell shape that looks elegant and bright.
Hardness zone: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: FFull sun to partial shade and sandy soil.
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Raspberry Splash Longwort
These perennials are ideal for shady locations because they thrive in full shade and will go into dormancy if the weather is too hot and dry. It can tolerate a little morning sun when temperatures are cooler, but needs shade most of the day. These perennials have speckled leaves and bright berry-colored flowers (hence the name), and need constantly moist soil, so be sure to water them and make sure the soil never dries out.
Hardness zone: 4 to 9
Growing conditions: sArtial to full shade and moist, cool soil.
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Bugleweed Chocolate Chip
These small, blue-violet flowers add a little color to a shady garden. They flower from May to June, and although they prefer moist soil, they can tolerate dry soil and tolerate less watering. For brighter petals, you’ll need to plant them in a location that gets some sunlight, but Chocolate Chip Bugleweed plants can survive in full shade.
Hardness zone: 4 to 9
Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
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Prunera “Heart of the Sea”
These heart-shaped, silvery green leaves can thrive in partial shade. These perennials grow to a height of about 1/2 foot to 2 feet, and cannot tolerate dry soil – so you must be on top of watering them. The work will be worth it when you see the blue flowers that bloom in the spring.
Hardness zone: 3 to 9
Growing conditions: Partial shade and moist, well-drained soil.
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Brilliance Autumn Fern
Another fern, this perennial is perfect for fall to add some greenery and life to your garden. These plants thrive in partial or full shade, prefer consistently moist soil, and can grow when the weather is cooler.
Hardness zone: 5 to 8
Growing conditions: Partial to full shade and moist soil.
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Aralia cordata “Sun King”
Aralia Cordata “Sun King” is more commonly known as the Japanese spikenard. These perennials grow best in partial shade, but they can survive in full sun or full shade (they’re an unpretentious plant!). It has bright green leaves and beautiful white flowers that bloom from spring to early fall.
Hardness zone: 4 to 8
Growing conditions: Full sun to full shade and moist, well-drained soil.
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Coral bells
Amber Heucheras can tolerate sunlight, but love shade. Its red, orange, and yellow leaves grow to 1 foot high and thrive in partial shade with moderate watering. The Missouri Botanical Garden recommends removing faded petal stems to help new flowers bloom.
Hardness zone: 4 to 9
Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade and rich soil.
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Coleus
The Missouri Botanical Garden lists this plant as a tropical evergreen perennial that can grow in partial to full shade. It is hardy in winter in USDA zones 10 through 11 with bright red leaves. It thrives in partial shade, but can tolerate full shade.
Hardness zone: 10 to 11
Growing conditions: Partial shade to full shade and moist, loose soil.
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Sea hellebore
Brighten your garden with shades of pink, red and purple by planting these perennials. This flower, commonly known as lentil rose, can grow in dark places in your garden and needs moderate watering. They are perennials that flower in late winter, but it is suggested to be planted in areas protected from cold winds.
Hardness zone: 4 to 9
Growing conditions: Partial shade to full shade and rich, well-drained soil.
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Total and host material
Another cultivar of Hosta, this leafy plant can grow in partial shade and reach 2 to 3 feet tall. It blooms in August, so it’s perfect for a full fall garden. They are low-maintenance perennials that only require some watering at the root of the plant to get evenly moist soil.
Hardness zone: 3 to 8
Growing conditions: Full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
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Editorial assistant
Isabella Cavallo is a freelance editorial assistant at protection. She graduated from Binghamton University with a BA in English: Literature and Rhetoric. Isabella gained a passion for health journalism after being diagnosed and treated for a rare cancer. When she’s not writing, you can find her listening to music, playing Bananagrams, or running in Central Park.
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