Annuals for Shade

Brighten Up Shady Spaces with the Right Plants

Shady areas around your home can be difficult to landscape. Without enough sunlight, many plants struggle to grow, leaving these spaces looking dull. Choosing plants that naturally thrive in low light is the key to success.

One of the biggest challenges is determining how much sun an area actually receives. While some sun-loving plants may survive in partial shade, poor growth is often a sign that shade-tolerant plants are a better choice. Fortunately, many annuals grow and bloom beautifully with limited sunlight. Some, like coleus, are even grown for their colorful foliage rather than flowers, adding vibrant interest to shady gardens.

Shady areas can also have soil that stays too wet, which may cause root problems. Before planting, improve drainage by mixing organic matter such as compost, well-rotted manure, or sphagnum peat moss into the soil. Adding mulch and perlite can also help improve soil structure.

Since shade-loving plants tend to grow more slowly and spread less, planting them closer together can create a fuller appearance. Regular fertilizing also helps plants stay healthy. Use a balanced fertilizer about one week after planting and continue feeding monthly through late summer, following label directions and rinsing fertilizer off leaves if needed.

With proper plant selection and soil preparation, even the shadiest areas of your yard can become lush, colorful, and inviting.

 

For shady areas some of the following plants are suggested:

• BEGONIAS (Begonia semperflorens-cultorum) are a waxy looking plant with red, white or pink foliage. Leaves may be green or bronze. 

 

 

• COLEUS (Coleus hybridus) is noted for its striking foliage. Colors include both warm and cool colors in many variegations. Height also varies considerably.

 

 

• IMPATIENS (Impatiens, sultana) is a top seller. With its wide variety of colors (whites, pinks, purples, deep reds and even oranges), it can work well into many color schemes. *New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri)

 

 

 • NEW GUINEA IMPATIENS (Impatiens Hawkeri) can tolerate morning sun, but does better in afternoon shade.

 

 

 

 

 

These lesser known shade annuals are also worth a try:

• LOBELIA (Lobelia erinus) is a low-growing edging plant found in shades of blue, white and purple. It has a small, delicate bloom.

 

• TORENIA OR WISHBONE FLOWER (Torenia fournieri) is another annual that does well in semi-shade and moist soil. It makes an excellent ground-cover plant. Flowers come in many different colors.