Flowering Perennials for shade?

[ShawnInfirmity]

So, my backyard gets a lot of shade.. it gets maybe 2-3 hours of afternoon/evening sunlight so I guess that would be mostly shade if not technically "full shade"? We recently moved some Hostas to the back from the side of the house (in front of the fence) because they were getting too much sun and we're waiting to see how many of them recover and start growing. We also have some Lantana on the side of the house (but behind the fence in the back yard) so they get a decent amount of sun (just not as much as the plants in front of the fence) and seem to be doing okay so far, but I doubt it would do well in the far back. I think I'm going to try some Turk's Cap if I can find some, but was wondering if anyone else had some suggestions on plants that they've successfully used in the shade? Thanks in advance and I have added pictures below that might help clear up any confusion. @Lisak1 or @JBtheExplorer or any other avid gardeners that might have some sage wisdom..

This is the side of the house behind the fence where the Lantana is doing pretty well, BUT the Coneflowers withered up rather quickly, not enough sun OR too much water from recent storms??

This is the spot where my wife tried to have a small garden which didn't do well at all, most likely because it doesn't get enough sun... So we pulled up all the stuff that wasn't growing well and moved some of the Hostas here and added some Aztec grass.

This is one of the corners where it gets A LOT of shade and we were hoping to add something that flowers/blooms like Turk's Cap or some other Perennial?? The Liriope was a gift from wife's grandmother and is most likely going to be divided up and moved around as needed.

The Hostas were moved from the side of the house in front of the fence where it now gets A LOT of sun ever since the tree trimmers cut my tree back from the houses and turned it into a weird mohawk tree.

This is the very back of the yard where we moved most of the Hostas to see which ones recover from being scorched by the hot sun and we will move them around as needed to add some other plants and give the area more interest and variety.

 

[Mmathis]

I am currently experimenting with astilbe — it’s a perennial, sort of fern-looking plant (but not a fern). I planted them last year and this year they produced flowers for the first time. So far mine are still kinda leggy, but otherwise are growing well. They like a lot of moisture and SHADE! I think the flowers come in whites, pinks, reds, lavenders, purples. If I recall, hostas are a good companion plant for them.

This is not my picture, but is a Google image. Mine aren’t anywhere close to looking like this yet.

 

[ShawnInfirmity]

Thanks @Mmathis I'll have to show this to the boss (wife) and see what she says. It seems like most of my suggestions based on research I've done about "shade tolerant Perennials for North Texas", etc. seem to fall short for one reason or another. She's not a fan of the leggy or twiggy plants for the most part which is why I was a little surprised she seemed on board when it came to the Turk's Cap.

 

[mrsclem]

The astilbe comes in several colors. Also, bleeding hearts and lily of the valley. I know you are looking for blooms but consider japanese painted fern. Very colorful and multiplies well.

 

[j.w]

Heuchera does well in shade and my preference so far is the shiny dark maroon leaved ones as their stems that you have to cut off each Winter are not as tall and gangling as some other colors. This plant does well in shade and can take some sun also.

 

[JBtheExplorer]

but was wondering if anyone else had some suggestions on plants that they've successfully used in the shade?

I don't grow a ton of full-shade flowering plants. I mostly grow various ferns. The plants I do grow are not native to your area, so they may not grow well, or may not be appropriate options.

I'm a big fan of Wild Geranium. It grows in sun or shade.

I really like Wild Ginger. While it technically gets flowers, they're small and lay on the ground. You won't notice them. This plant is grown for the nice foliage. It's a ground cover, but seems to spread very slowly, at least for me.

Columbine species are always good choices. I grow Eastern Red Columbine. It's another plant that can grow in shade or sun.

 

[Lisak1]

You've gotten some good suggestions already, but I'll add one thing - shade perennials that flower won't give you season long color, generally speaking. My husband always wants to plant things that flower all season long - those are called "annuals" dear!

That's why I love to go for foliage for interest. Different types of hostas - from the very darkest greens to the light, almost yellows to the big blues - as well as those that are streaked with white or yellow will all add lots of color to a shady spot. @Mmathis named one of my favs for shade - astilbe are beautiful with their feathery flowers and ferny structure. And of course ferns themselves come in many different shades and sizes. And heuchera - everything from deep, deep maroon to light green... so pretty!

I think the very prettiest shade gardens are mainly shades of green and white - very cool and refreshing.

 

[ShawnInfirmity]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations! I think we have a good list of potential candidates going including: Astilbe, Cardinal Flower, Obedient Plant, and Turk's Cap. We already have quite a few Hostas that we are hoping will bounce back after being beat down by the sun so now we're just going to keep researching plant options and try to find sources to purchase them locally. I'm a big fan of the Columbine species as well, but the boss thinks they are too twiggy.

 

[Lisak1]

but the boss thinks they are too twiggy

That's so funny! She'll find over time that you can intermingle those "twiggy" plants with bushier ones to get a good mix of high and low in your gardenscape!

 

[Gemma]

There are several Begonias that do well in shade, also not a flowering plant but some Caladium are very colorful

 

[Lisak1]

Both are beautiful @Gemma ! I didn't mention either because he said he was looking for flowering perennials - although in his zone, these may well be perennials!

 

[ShawnInfirmity]

That's so funny! She'll find over time that you can intermingle those "twiggy" plants with bushier ones to get a good mix of high and low in your gardenscape!

That's what I was thinking. Maybe I can sneak some seeds (or whatever they grow from?) in there and when they grow up behind another plant she'll be pleasantly surprised!?

 

[Panzer13]

I have recently started growing Helloborus. Their foliage looks like a fern and they bloom during the winter. They are very hardy but do not like allot of sun or heat. I love them as they add color to an otherwise dreary winter garden their foliage is a very nice emerald green and the blooms stay on the plant all year round, but only have color in the winter.

 

[qclabrat]

I am currently experimenting with astilbe — it’s a perennial, sort of fern-looking plant (but not a fern). I planted them last year and this year they produced flowers for the first time. So far mine are still kinda leggy, but otherwise are growing well. They like a lot of moisture and SHADE! I think the flowers come in whites, pinks, reds, lavenders, purples. If I recall, hostas are a good companion plant for them.

This is not my picture, but is a Google image. Mine aren’t anywhere close to looking like this yet.

View attachment 111880

Astilbes are great, most deer resistant very drought tolerant. He have at least 30-40 plants and divided them every few years.

 

[qclabrat]

There are several Begonias that do well in shade, also not a flowering plant but some Caladium are very colorful

I love caladiums and planted them for year along with cannas, but in my climate they never come back. I tried one year digging them up, But the following year not many took.