Shady conditions are defined as 4 or less hours of direct sun. This usually means that the area only receives sun in the morning or the very late afternoon. The shadiest places along a house tend to be on the north or east side. Trees can also cause shady conditions outside the shadow of the house. Observe the area that you wish to plant in to determine whether it has full sun, part-sun, or full shade conditions. This will help you pick the best plants to thrive in that area.
Please note that shade tolerant plants that are planted beneath a shallow-rooted tree, such as a birch or maple, may struggle to thrive due to competition for water, not light conditions.

The following plants are considered shade-tolerant, meaning that they can at least grow in part-shade conditions. Plants that are given not enough light will grow leggy and produce less flowers. Plants that prefer shade and are given too much sun will show leaf discoloration and may burn in the heat of summer. Please check plant tags and ask our staff so that we can best advise you on the best plants for your area.

All plants on this list are well-adapted to southeastern Pennsylvania. We are located in Phoenixville, PA, growing zone 7A.

Perennials and Grasses

Perennials and grasses typically return year after year, but do not produce woody stems. They may remain evergreen or die back to the ground over winter.

Hosta
Ivy
Lamium (Dead Nettle)
Lily Turf (Ophiopogon)
Liriope (Lily Turf)
Lungwort (Pulmonaria)
Mazus
Meadow-Rue (Thalictrum)
Pachysandra
Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum)
Sweet Woodruff (Galium)
Toad Lily (Tricyrtis)
Tufted Hairgrass (Deschampsia)
Turtlehead (Chelone)
Trillium
Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia)
Wild Ginger (Asarum)
Windflower (Anemone)
Wolfsbane (Aconitum)

Shrubs

Shrubs return year after year and produce woody stems that persist through the winter and create new growth. Some shrubs are evergreen, while others are deciduous, which means that they drop their leaves in the winter.

Trees

Trees are larger plants with woody stems. Some of these trees may be considered shrubs depending on the variety.

Parrotia
Redbud
Serviceberry
Silverbell
Stewartia
Sweetbay Magnolia
Witchhazel
Golden Full Moon Maple

Annuals

Annuals are plants that only last one growing season before dying off in the cold. They are best used for providing long-lasting color and growing in containers or beds.

Impatiens
Lobelia
Oxalis
Polka Dot Plant
Sweet Potato Vine
Torenia