Whether you want to create a porch or patio container accent piece, or increase curb appeal with colorful plants in an entry way garden, these shade-tolerant plants can help gardeners working in full shade.
Coralbells for Foliage and Flowers in Shaded Containers
Coralbells (Heuchera) do well in shade container combinations because they need well-drained soil and will tolerate even deep shade. Heuchera plants grow 1-3' tall and wide, making them versatile to use in a variety of container combinations. In large shade containers, they act as filler plants, giving lots of body and filling in the gaps around larger accent pieces.
In small shade containers, heuchera becomes a taller focal point by using one of the larger cultivars and more eye-catching foliage color choices. And coralbells are available in a very wide variety of foliage options from dark maroon, to bright green chartreuse colors.
Lily-of-the-Valley for Fragrance and Spring Shade Flowers
These delicate looking flowers are some of the hardiest bulbs to grow in containers and tolerate full-shade. Like many shade flowers, lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis) blooms in the spring and prefers moist, rich soil. The bell-shaped flowers are usually white, but there is a cultivar that produces pink blooms as well. Hardy to zone 3, lily of the valley plants are a great addition to many garden landscapes. I love adding lily of the valley plants into the shade gardens and containers for their sweet fragrance.
Caladiums for Bright Foliage and Long Lasting Shade Color
One of the absolute favorite shade plants of all time, caladiums do very well in deep shade and are one of the easiest bulbs to grow in containers. That's because caladiums should also be planted in well-draining soil, so they tend to do well in container combinations. Gardeners who are wondering how to grow caladium bulbs are sometimes just told - put them in the ground and let them do their thing.
Grown for their attractive foliage, caladiums are usually variegated in two or three of the following colors; green, white, red, pink, rose or salmon. The leaves grow in rounded, heart-shaped leaves or thinner lance-shaped leaves with a variety of edgings as well. Hundreds, if not thousands, of cultivars are available but most caladiums grow around 1-2' tall and wide.
Begonia for Colorful Shade Foliage
Begonias have not only beautiful flowers, but some cultivars have highly attractive foliage. One cultivar seen at a garden center recently was called 'Benitochiba' and was a stunning purple color. Purple or maroon foliage of many begonia cultivars would make it a great contrasting choice to the green, white or silver caladiums in a container combination.
Begonias make excellent container plants for shade containers because they need well-drained soil that isn't too soggy. Begonias also have long-lasting growing seasons which means that gardeners won't have to switch out the container plants very often. Plant begonia tubers in the spring and enjoy the wide variety of flower colors. Begonias are also available in rounded form, or weeping and trailing forms that can add a lot of interest in a container combination or shade garden.
Angela England - Angela England is a problogger, mother of four (yes I know what causes that), speaker, teacher, labor doula, gardener and so much more.
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