There are some tall plants for shade that have been left in the dark for far too long, literally – it’s time to fix it! We’re all guilty of leaning toward full sun-loving flowers like dahlias and roses. After all, they are right?
But we’re here to say that shade-loving plants can be just as beautiful (and probably deserve a little more attention). When you think of plants for a shady garden, you probably think of low-growing perennials like hostas and ferns. However, there are a whole range of larger plants that are suitable for shade and can rival any full sunbed in terms of impact.
Luckily, we have a professional gardener on hand to reveal her five favorite tall plants for a shady garden. They’re so pretty, even your dahlias will be jealous!
1. Bear Pants
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Don’t be fooled by the unusual name, Bear’s Breeches (Acanthus mollis) is a real showstopper for shady flower beds and a personal favorite of horticultural expert Leslie Halleck.
She says ‘Acanthus mollis, or “Bear’s Breeches,” offers large, glossy, tropical-looking foliage punctuated by tall (5 to 6 feet) inflorescences with showy white and purple flowers. They always remind me of snapdragon flowers.’
If you want a variety that gets the expert’s approval, Leslie particularly likes white flowering types. ‘Rue Ledan’ is a refined, white-flowering cultivar, and ‘Whitewater’ is a stunning white-variegated cultivar,” says expert Leslie.
Gardeners who work with heavier soil types don’t have to worry either: Bear’s Breeches thrives best in heavy, moist soil types such as clay.
A warning. Bear’s Breeches has incredibly deep roots that are notoriously difficult to remove once established. So if you choose this plant for your shady bed, make sure it is in a spot that you are permanently happy with and is large enough for its mature size.
Winter hardiness zone: 7-10
Dichondra Berenbroek Acanthus Mollis Plant Seeds
Price: $14.99
Quantity: 60 seeds
Leslie Halleck
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Professional horticulturist
Leslie F. Halleck is a certified professional horticulturist and UCLA Extension Horticulture Instructor. Halleck is the author of several books, including Gardening Under Lights: The Complete Guide for Indoor Growers and Plant Caregivers: Easy Ways to Grow More Houseplants, Vegetables, and Flowers.
2. Culver’s root
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Are you a fan of tall, purple flowers like salvias or lupines, but don’t have enough sun in your yard? Then look for Culver’s Root the next time you visit a nursery for floral landscaping.
As Leslie explains, this plant is one of her favorites for adding height to shady gardens. ‘Veronicastrum virginicumor “Culver’s Root,” produces white to pink spikes of small flowers, creating a sort of floating candelabra look in a shady garden. Plants can grow up to 6 feet tall and have a feathery natural appearance.”
The airy nature of these flowers makes them a great choice for Prairie-style gardens, or even a cottage-core atmosphere. If you really want to double down on that cottage woodland feeling, supplement Culver’s Root with some foxgloves – another shade-loving flower. Remember that foxglove is biennial, so you will need to plant foxglove two years in a row to get flowers each year.
Winter hardiness zone: 3-8
3. Green dream
When it comes to plants that start a conversation, Green Dream proves that it’s better to stand out than to be noticed. With its delicate bell-shaped flowers that echo the dainty blooms of the winter hellebore, this plant is the perfect companion for the adventurous gardener.
‘Mathiasella bupleuroides is a special member of the carrot family with beautiful green flowers – or rather clusters of small pink to black flowers encased in jade green sheaths, that remain on the plant all autumn,” says expert Leslie. “Plants commonly called ‘Green Dream’ can grow to between 3 and 1.5 metres tall.”
But it is the colors of this plant that make it truly magical. Not only is the jade green foliage undeniably attractive, but in the fall, when temperatures begin to cool, the delicate bell-shaped flowers will turn a dreamy pink hue.
Be sure to plant this flower in a shady spot that is also well-drained, as these are some of the best plants for a dry garden. Green Dreams are native to Mexico and while they don’t like baking in the sun, they also won’t tolerate sitting in soggy soil.
Winter hardiness zone: 7-10
4. Flowering maple
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We love unusual flower finds, and Flowering Maple is definitely one of them! Often called “Chinese lanterns,” these shrubby plants have incredible teardrop-shaped flowers that make great container garden plants, especially in hanging baskets where the flowers cascade gently over the edges.
Flower expert Leslie says ‘Abutilon spp., or “Flowering Maple”, is one of my favorite flowers for light shade with dappled or morning sun. There is a wide selection of species and cultivars, with growth habits of over 3 meters. I have a preference for peach and orange flowering cultivars such as “Marilyn’s Choice”, “Orange Hot Lava” or “Bartley Schwarz”.’
However, flowering maples are delicate plants. If you live in an area where it freezes often, it is best to plant them in pots that you can bring indoors before the first frost.
To maintain dense foliage and increase flower production, it is a good practice to also pinch out long stems during the growing season. Simply take the tops of the stems up to the third set of true leaves and pinch with your nails until they break off. This will encourage more side shoots, and more side shoots = more flowers!
Winter hardiness zone: 8-10
Mixed Color Flowering Maple Seeds
Price: $3
Quantity: 30 seeds
5. Ligularia ‘The Rocket’
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With 6-foot-tall bright yellow flowers, it’s hard to miss a flower as striking as Ligularia!
According to expert Leslie, it doesn’t get more dramatic than this special plant. ‘Ligularia ‘The Rocket’ is an impressive bloomer, even in the shade. The bright spikes of lemon yellow flowers reach up to 6 feet tall, creating quite a dramatic display. The serrated blade is pretty cool in itself!’
Unlike other shade plants, Ligularia likes moist water. So much so that it will even do well in swampy conditions next to water! The only downside to these striking plants is that slugs and snails find them equally attractive. Investing in snail preventatives such as sheep’s wool or copper tape to combat snails is essential to keep this plant off the lunch menu.
Winter hardiness zone: 4-9
Small Rocket Leopard Plant
How do you create height in a shade garden?
Although many shade plants are located at ground level, these tall shade plants are one of the best ways to ensure that your shade garden is at ground level.
Alternatively, you can use one of the great shade climbing plants to take advantage of the height by growing it up a trellis or fence.
Finally, there are plenty of good shade trees that you can add to your garden design. These grow even taller than these tall plants and can be used to create a focal point in your garden.
