Welcome to the companion piece to Flowers for Shade Gardens. The flowers suggested here thrive in partial shade, often preferring morning sun and protection from the hot afternoon sun, making them very versatile and right for most gardens.
What is Partial SHADE?
When choosing flowers, it’s important to know which type of light you are working with. Areas that receive some sun and some shade are often referred to as partial shade or partial sun (or part shade/part sun). Since the term can be a bit ambiguous (what is “some” shade?), here are the definitions we at Swansons use regularly for different shade levels.
Partial Shade (also called Partial Sun) is an area that receives about 4-6 hours of direct sun per day. Plants that prefer partial shade like the morning sun but should be protected from intense afternoon sun.
Dappled Shade - this can be a type of partial shade in which sunlight trickles down through the leaves of overhead trees most of the day. It can be considered full shade if the light trickles down for only 2-4 hours each day.
Full Shade is an area that receives less than 4 hours of direct sunlight per day but is not entirely without sunlight.
Deep Shade is an area that receives little or no direct sunlight. For example, it may be along a north wall and under a tree or deck, obscuring even ambient light from the sky. Most plants will not grow in deep shade.
Knowing these definitions is a good start to understanding plant tags and choosing the best flowers for your garden. If you’d like more in-depth information about shade, check out our blog post, “Fifty Shades of… Well, Shade.”
Which Flowers Prefer Partial Shade?
Below are some of my favorite flowers that thrive in partial shade and have bloomed well in my PNW garden. I’ve loosely arranged them by bloom time so you can plan to have flowers throughout the year. Some of these plants can handle full sun here in the PNW, and that is noted in their descriptions.
Primrose
In late winter, when Northwesterners are sun-starved and craving colorful flowers, primroses come to the rescue, a sure sign spring is on the way. The genus Primula includes more than 400 species, with a multitude of flower colors and forms. These low-growing plants thrive in partly-shady, moist garden areas and adore the cool weather of early spring in the PNW. Primroses bloom February-June, depending on the variety.
Light: Partial Shade, Dappled Shade.
Pansy & Viola
The cheerful faces of pansies and violas are a balm in the late winter months. Pansies look beautiful planted en masse in the ground or tucked into mixed containers and they bloom well in the cooler seasons of spring and fall. If protected from the hot afternoon sun and given plenty of water, they will sometimes bloom throughout summer as well. Remove fading flowers to encourage more blooms. If your plants get leggy, simply give them a good shearing and they will rebound with new foliage and buds.
Light: Partial Shade, Dappled Shade. Can handle Full Sun late fall-early spring.
Rhododendron
A staple of Pacific Northwest gardens, the rhododendron sometimes gets overlooked because it is so common here. That’s a shame because rhododendrons (and their close relatives, azaleas) thrive in the PNW climate and display an amazing range of diversity in size and color. Plant smaller rhodies and azaleas under deciduous trees, where they can appreciate the dappled sunlight. Most rhododendrons prefer partial shade, but some varieties can handle full sun; check specific varietal tags for light needs.
Light: Partial Shade, Dappled Shade. Some varieties can grow in Full Sun.
Columbine
Columbine is an easy-to-grow perennial that blooms in the cool of late spring and early summer. The delicate flowers are often bi-colored and a favorite of pollinators, including hummingbirds. Columbine prefers well-draining soil and is somewhat drought-tolerant as well as deer-resistant. The plants self-seed but the flowers freely cross-pollinate, so you can grow your collection with a multitude of surprising new varieties!
Light: Partial Shade
Hardy Geranium
An attractive groundcover, hardy geraniums bloom from late spring through summer and take well to being sheared after the first flush of blooms has finished. With multiple species and varieties within the genus Geranium, you are sure to find one that fits your garden perfectly. These perennials accept a wide range of light conditions and do not like to stay too wet, so plant them in well-draining soil. Check individual plant tags to learn the best conditions for each variety.
Light: Partial Shade, Dappled Shade, Full Shade, or Full Sun (depending on variety).
Astrantia
This tidy, compact plant shoots up masses of lovely, long-lasting flowers in shades of burgundy, white, and light pink from late spring through summer. Best examined up close, the flowers of Astrantia are intricate, delicate, and substantial all at once. In fact, the umbel blooms are composed of beautiful petal-like bracts surrounding a multitude of tiny flowers, giving the blooms the look of a pincushion. After flowering, plants can be cut back close to the ground for a new crop of leaves and flowers or left as is to enjoy the delicate foliage. A great cut flower as well. Prefers evenly-moist soil.
Light: Partial Shade, Dappled Shade, Full Sun.
Begonia
Begonias add a pop of color to shadier spots in the garden, with blooms from early summer to fall. Upright and trailing varieties are available, and they look beautiful in hanging baskets or paired with ferns in the garden. They prefer moist but well-draining soil and are prone to root rot in heavy, wet soil. Begonias are generally grown as annuals in the PNW but can be overwintered indoors, if desired.
Light: Partial Shade, Dappled Shade.
Nigella (Love-in-a-Mist)
A beautiful, free-flowering annual, Nigella is the epitome of casual cottage garden style but somehow also fits beautifully into more modern garden schemes. Perhaps this is because of the sharply defined flowers, lacy foliage, and architectural seed pods that remain after blooming. Use the flowers and seedpods to add interest to cut flower arrangements. Sow Nigella seeds in early spring for flowers from late spring to mid-summer. Reseed for late-summer and fall blooms or let the flowers seed themselves. Drought-tolerant and easy to care for.
Light: Partial Shade, Dappled Shade, Full Sun.
Lily
With over 100 species of lilies and thousands of varieties, you can definitely find the perfect plant for your garden style. Most lilies bloom from early summer to fall and can grow to heights of 3-6 feet. Oriental lilies often have a strong fragrance while Asiatic lilies do not. Calla Lilies (Zantedeschia) are not “true” lilies, but they also grow well in partial shade and form lovely vase-like white flowers over glossy, wide green leaves (first photo).
Light: Partial Shade, Dappled Shade, Full Sun if protected from hot afternoon sun.
Astilbe
Astilbe (also called false spirea) prefers partial or dappled shade and moist soils. In the summer, spires of flowers bloom in shades of pink, lavender, and white, and make great cut flowers for bouquets. Plant them with Hosta and Ligularia for a nice blend of complementary leaf and flower textures. Keep the plant well-watered as Astilbe does not appreciate drying out!
Light: Partial Shade, Dappled Shade, Full Sun if protected from hot afternoon sun.
Hydrangea
photo: Matthew Benson Foto
There’s nothing quite like the splendor of hydrangea in full bloom but the shrubs dazzle over multiple seasons with beautiful foliage, fall color, and exceptionally long-lasting blooms as well. Hydrangeas prefer rich, well-drained soil and do not tolerate drought. Even mature hydrangeas appreciate deep watering, especially in the summer. Different flower types include “mophead” (big, rounded balls of flowers), “lacecap” (rings of petals surrounding a center of small flowers), and “panicle” (a more cone-like flower). Most bloom from mid-summer to fall. Some can handle full sun but they prefer partial shade. Learn more about hydrangea care and pruning.
Light: Partial Shade, Dappled Shade. Some varieties can handle Full Sun.
Fuchsia
Fuchsias are one of the most popular shade plants because of their long blooming season (late spring through frost) and an amazing array of flower colors and shapes. They are very adaptable and can grow in shade, partial shade, and even full sun, depending on the variety. In the PNW, most hanging basket varieties are treated as annuals (unless overwintered in a greenhouse or garage) but we can also grow a wide range hardy enough to survive our winters. Hardy perennial varieties can range in size from groundcovers to shrubs that grow to 10 feet tall over time. Learn more about Hardy Fuchsias.
Light: Shade, Partial Shade, Dappled Shade, Full Sun.
Ligularia
The heart-shaped leaves and bright flowers of Ligularia stand out in the shade. Clusters of daisy-like flowers on long stalks begin blooming in mid-summer and are a favorite of pollinators. Both leaves and flowers make great additions to cut-flower bouquets. Also called leopard flower, this hardy perennial prefers partial shade and evenly moist soil.
Light: Partial Shade, Dappled Shade.
Japanese Anemone
The elegant flowers of Japanese Anemones are magical as they sway in the breeze on long, graceful stems. Perhaps this is why they have earned the nickname ‘Windflower’. Japanese anemones are easy to grow and relatively maintenance-free once they are established. They bloom June through fall, depending on the variety. They do best in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil. Look for the pure white flowers of ‘Honorine Jobert’ or play with other varieties tinged with pink and lavender.
Light: Partial Shade, Dappled Shade.
There are many other great plants for partial shade. Stop by Swansons Nursery and we can show you a multitude of options for your garden!