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Plants mostly need sunlight to live. Darker areas in gardens and on balconies therefore often remain unplanted, drab and bare. It doesn't have to be, because there are numerous flowering plants that create color contrasts in dark, boring areas in shady or semi-shady places. But be careful, because not all shadows are created equal. Here you will find the differences and numerous ideas for flowering shade plants.
shade plants
When talking about shade plants, it doesn't automatically mean that they do well in a spot that doesn't get sunlight. The differences are far-reaching and must be considered when selecting plants.
light shadow
This is the lightest form of shadow. It is a location where sunlight arrives continuously but is occasionally interrupted. This is the case, for example, when the wind causes the foliage of a neighboring tree to swing back and forth between the light and the plants. Light shade is also used when the light hits the plants only weakly, for example through transparent pergolas or mildly through Plexiglas.
open shadow
Open shadow is also called sundry designated. This means a location where daylight shines on the plants for many hours without direct sunlight arriving. Such locations are mainly found in courtyards surrounded by light-colored walls, whereby the masonry reflects the sunlight and thus ensures sufficient daylight.
penumbra
Partial shade is when the sun moves around 4 hours a day and the plants are in the shade for the rest of the day. Places where shade is created by treetops, building facades or walls, for example, are ideal here. Shade plants are often sensitive to the hot midday sun and tolerate the sun's rays in the morning better than in the afternoon because it's cooler and semi-shade plants tend to burn. The best locations are those that face east. The sun rises there in the morning and has already moved on by noon.
full shade
There are only a few plants that can exist in full shade because there is a minimum of light available. There is full shade, especially under dense deciduous and coniferous trees and on walls and facades that face north.
Plants for the light shade
From
cyclamen
Cyclamen are mainly kept as a houseplant, but they do just as well in the garden bed and on the balcony. In particular, the Cyclamen coum, which blooms in spring, and the Cyclamen hederifolium with ivy-like leaves are ideal as eye-catchers in the perennial border.
- Flowering time of early spring cyclamen: between February and March to April.
- "Normal" varieties: between July and April
- Growth height: between ten and fifteen centimetres
- Various flower colors available
notice: Cyclamen are not frost hardy. For this reason, early varieties are not ideal for the garden bed or balcony box, unless they are sheltered from the wind and protected with plant fleece against temperatures below 10 °C.
leadwort
Leadwort (Plumbago auriculata) is a hardy, flowering giant perennial that takes up a lot of space. It can be used in many ways and delights hobby gardeners with great flowers and easy care. Plumbago auriculata is the most common, followed by the sky-blue flowering 'Caerulea'. The 'Alba' variety, on the other hand, has white flowers and is only rarely available.
- Flowering time: June to autumn
- Flower color: various shades of blue, more rarely white or pink-red
- Growth height: up to 2.5 meters depending on the variety
- Suited as a shrub, hanging plant and ground cover
- Conditionally hardy
notice: While the leadwort can actually hibernate in the garden bed in a wind-protected place with appropriate protection against the cold, the pink-red flowering Plumbago indica should be placed in a warmer location for hibernation.
From G - S
bluebell
Bell-shaped blossoms give the bellflower (campanula) a very special appearance. While their greenery spreads out in all directions like a carpet, the blossom splendor rises above them. As a rule, these are perennial plants that also tolerate open shade and partial shade.
- Perennial with fine, dense foliage
- Growth height: ten to 15 centimeters
- Flowering period: June to September - sometimes to October
- Flower Color: Lavender Blue
- Ideal for planting in perennial borders, in rockeries and tubs or in the living room
grove flower
For one season, this flowering plant enchants garden beds and balconies. However, a grove flower (Nemophila) is less suitable for the living room, because it needs a lot of space in width in order to be able to spread out on all sides like a carpet. But it is a real eye-catcher in raised beds, brings color under the branches of the trees and is also easy to care for. It is also important to ensure that it receives at least four hours of sunlight, as it will not flower in full shade.
- Low, carpet-like growing annual aquatic foliage plant
- Height of growth: up to 20 centimeters
- Flowering time: between May and September, depending on the variety
- Flower color: white, blue, white-blue mix
spotted grove flower, Nemophila maculata
coneflower
Both coneflower plants (Rudbeckia and Echinacea) do well in semi-shade, but the flowers may not be as lavish as in a sunnier location. The yellow specimens in particular resemble a little the sunflower blossom. They enrich every semi-shady place with strong colors.
- Flower color: shades of pink, yellow, lilac, red-orange
- Flowering time: depending on the variety June/July to September/October
- Growth height: between 40 centimeters and two meters
- Ideal for flower meadows and natural gardens
- Perennial perennials need protection from the cold in winter
Coneflower, Rudbeckia
Plants for open shade
rhododendron
Among the shade plants, the rhododendron is one of the most widespread representatives. It is a real flower miracle and changes its flower color with the respective pH value of the soil. It is suitable for the garden bed and for planting in containers on balconies and terraces. It does just as well in semi-shade.
- Evergreen shrub
- Growth height: mini specimens up to 40 centimeters - otherwise up to four meters (depending on the variety)
- Flowering time: early-flowering rhododendron varieties from March/April to May - spring-flowering May to June - summer-flowering in July - autumn-flowering August to October
- Flower color: pink-white, shades of pink, white, red, bright orange, shades of yellow, shades of violet
- hardy
silver candle
This silver candle (Cimicifuga ramosa) also gets along well with moderate to little light. The perennial forms flower spikes with a pleasantly intense scent.
- Clumpy, upright growing and flowering perennial
- Growth height: up to 180 centimeters
- Flower color: pure white
- Flowering time: September to October
- hardy
Silver Cohosh, Cimicifuga ramosa
Plants for partial shade
From A - E
Anemone/ Autumn Anemone
This perennial (Anemone hupehensis) is one of the autumn bloomers and inspires with its delicate flowers, which grow luxuriantly and set color contrasts in partially shaded locations.
- Flowering period: between August and the end of October
- Strong growth
- Growth height: up to 120 centimeters
- Flower color: from white to shades of pink to bright red
Autumn Anemone, Anemone hupehensis
arum
Actually, the aroid (Arum) is a decorative leaf plant. However, it does produce beautiful flowers followed by bright red berries, making it a must-have for a part-shade flowering plant.
- Growth height: up to 60 centimeters
- Flowering time: spring
- Fruits: red berries in autumn on erect stems
- Frost resistant
- Use: flowering perennial, cut flower
Christmas rose
The Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) is an easy-care plant that enchants beds with its white flowers even in winter.
- Evergreen perennial buttercup
- Flowering time: December to March
- Flower Color: White, sometimes white-pink
- Growth height: between ten and 30 centimeters
Ivy shrub 'Arborescens'
Unlike common ivy (Hedera helix), this genus grows as a shrub rather than a climbing or ground cover plant. In terms of light, it makes hardly any demands on the location, which is why it thrives just as well in the sun as as a shade plant in semi-shade.
- Growth height: between 80 and 180 centimeters
- Evergreen and hardy
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering time: September to October
- Ideal for hedge planting
aconite
The roots of monkshood (Aconitum napellus) are highly toxic, while all other parts of the plant are slightly less toxic. It grows splendidly in partial shade and fills its surroundings with strong colours.
- Upright growth
- Growth height between 50 and 150 centimeters
- Flowering period: June to August
- Flower color: shades of violet to intense blue (monkshood), yellow and red
- Hardy and easy to care for
- Also ideal as ground cover
Monkshood, Aconitum napellus
From F - H
thimble
The foxglove (digitalis) is mainly at home on farms, but is now also becoming increasingly popular as a garden and balcony plant. Large inflorescences fill the surroundings with magnificent colors, which form just as luxuriantly in partial shade as in the sun.
- Impressive biennial perennial with bell-shaped flowers
- Growth height: between 60 and 200 centimeters
- Flower color: depending on the variety, white, red to blue-red, violet or pink
- Flowering period: July to August
- hardy
- Caution: poisonous seeds
memorial
The commemorative plant (Omphalodes verna) brings color to partially shaded places. The borage plant, also known as campion or spring navel nut, resembles the classic forget-me-not with star-shaped flowers. It is ideal for places that should be an eye-catcher with colour.
- Herbaceous perennial
- Height of growth: up to 15 centimeters, rarely up to 25 centimeters
- Flower color: blue and white
- Flowering time: April to May or May to June, depending on the variety
- hardy
- Spreads out like a carpet
Commemoration, Omphalodes verna
Heartleaf Bergenia
In terms of light conditions, the heart-leaved Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia) is undemanding. She likes partial shade best, although she doesn't mind a few hours more sun.
- Evergreen, hardy perennial
- Flowers from April to March
- After the flowers have been cut back, a second flowering phase is possible in autumn
- Bell-shaped flowers of different colors
- Growth height: between 15 and 40 centimeters
- Ideal as an ornamental plant for rock gardens, borders, in groups of trees and on the banks of ponds or lakes
Autumn bloom, Bergenia cordifolia
From K - M
Caucasus forget-me-not
The Caucasus forget-me-not (Brunnera macrophylla 'Variegata') is actually one of the ornamental foliage plants because its yellow-white variegated leaves are heart-shaped and edged in white. Nevertheless, it brings intensive color to shady places in spring.
- Ground covering, bushy perennial
- Flowering time: April to May
- Flower color: strong blue
- Growth height: up to 45 centimeters
toad lily
The shade plants from Japan are late bloomers and provide color accents when the garden/balcony has lost its colour. Because of the "tiger pattern" of the flowers, it is also called tiger lily (Tricyrtis). There are around 23 different species, all of which prefer semi-shady to shady locations.
- Growth height: up to one meter
- Flowering time: September to October
- Flower colour: depending on the variety, white, lilac to crimson, orange and always mottled with different colours
- Conditionally hardy
Corydalis
The Corydalis (Corydalis) comes from the poppy family. There are between 300 and 400 different species. Most thrive in partial shade as well as full sun. But beware: many own poisonous plant parts, such as the Fingered Larkspur.
- Flowers on panicles
- Flowering period: May to September
- Flower Color: White, shades of yellow and purple
- Annual or perennial species available
- Height of growth: Dwarf Corydalis about ten centimeters - other species up to 20, more rarely 30 centimeters
Hollow Corydalis, Corydalis cava
Lunar Violet/ Enduring Silver Leaf
The moon violet (Lunaria rediviva) presents itself as a cruciferous plant, which enchants as a perennial perennial with a fine fragrance. It is particularly at home in dark mountain forests and is highly valued by hobby gardeners as a shade plant.
- Flower Color: Light to dark purple large cruciferous flowers
- Flowering period: May to July
- Growth height: up to 120 centimeters
- Forms silvery pods in autumn
- Smells intense at night
From N - S
clove root
Once responsible for lush carpets of flowers in Chile, the avens (Geum chiloense) has long since moved into central European gardens. There it thrives magnificently in semi-shady locations and inspires with a wealth of flowers in wonderful colors that last for weeks.
- Sturdy perennial plants
- Flowering time: between May and July, depending on the variety
- Flower color: golden yellow, yellow, orange-red, lilac
- Growth height: between 20 and 80 centimeters
splendor spars
The Astilbe is a colorful perennial that flowers from early summer to autumn. It is characterized above all by its resilience and its interesting appearance. The hardy saxifrage plant is not only decorative in the garden or on the balcony, but also brings nature into living spaces as a cut flower.
- Flowering period: June to September
- Flower colors: red, white, shades of purple
- Growth height: between 15 and 120 centimeters
- Frost resistant
- Can be ideally combined with other shade plants
Royal spars, Astilbe
Purplebells
Purple bells (Heuchera micrantha) are ideal for creating unique contrasts between the reddish-brown foliage and the flowers in partially shaded locations. The heart-shaped and slightly wavy leaves also have a decorative effect.
- Evergreen perennial
- Growth height: smallest varieties around 15 centimeters - tall varieties up to 70 centimeters
- Small flower bells on slender panicles
- Flowering time: July/ August
- Flower Color: White with shades of red and pink
- Hardy to -15 °C
- Attracts bees and butterflies
sage
Sage (Salvia) is mainly used as a kitchen herb, but depending on the variety it also decorates places in partial shade. The steppe sage (Salvia nemerosa) in particular fits perfectly into a perennial border, although it also feels at home in tubs and window boxes.
- Flower color: blue-purple
- Flowering period: May to July
- Growth height: between 40 and 60 centimeters
- Prefers dry and barren locations
Wood sage, steppe sage, Salvia nemorosa
Plants for full shade
Ruprechtskraut
The Ruprechtskraut (Geranium robertianum), also known as Stinking Cranesbill, reacts quickly to too much light with a sunburn, which in the worst case can even lead to the death of shade plants. The herb grows wild, especially in shady forests. In a shady location in the home garden or on the balcony, it will delight you with a month-long flowering period.
- Growth height: up to 50 centimeters
- Flowering period: May to October
- Flower color: pink
- Musty smell that repels mosquitoes
Forest goat's beard/ goat's beard
A real classic among the shade plants is the goat's beard (Aruncus dioicus). Magnificent panicles of flowers combined with long pinnate leaves characterize it. It likes it wet, which is why it can also be found wild on the banks of streams and lakes as well as on the edges of forests. In German gardens and on balconies, the easy-care wild perennial provides a decorative eye-catcher in partially shaded/full shade.
- tall perennial
- Growth height: between 80 and 200 centimeters
- Flowering period: May to June
- Flower Color: White to creamy white
- Perennial and frost-resistant
Forest goat's beard, Arunculus dioicus
forest lily
The forest lily (Trillium) is one of the most popular shade plants, which gives rise to the anticipation of summer. A location in the shade under deciduous plants is ideal when the leaves there rot and cover the relatively high nutrient requirements of the wood lily.
- Flower color: white
- Flowering time: April to May
- Growth height: up to about 40 centimeters
- trefoil flower
- hardy
- Ideal for underplanting trees and shrubs
tip: The water requirement of shade plants should not be underestimated, especially during the summer months. Because heat and wind also reach the area of penumbra. Regular monitoring of the moisture content is therefore essential.