Whether due to being in an area with little rainfall, or because the area has large trees whose roots will compete for moisture it can be difficult to find attractive garden plants that will thrive and add beauty to shady areas with little moisture. These seven perennials are all suited to dry shade situations.
Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla mollis) – Zones 3-7. Needs well-drained soil and part to deep shade. Lady’s mantle is prized for its large leaves, pleasant rounded growth habit and airy yellow flower clusters that appear late spring through early summer. This perennial will grow about 18” tall and wide. Deadhead to prevent self-sown seedlings or allow these volunteers to gently naturalize.
Lily-of-the-Valley (Convallaria spp.) – Zones 2 or 3-9. Lily-of-the-valley plants are charming and often grown as an attractive ground cover where they will naturalize well when conditions suite them. Fragrant, white, bell-shaped flowers on 6” stalks appear mid-spring and were popular as cut flowers in wedding bouquets. Prefers part shade and well-drained soil and will tolerate dry conditions well, especially after flowering. Lily-of-the-Valley spreads through rhizomes underground and will naturalize readily so provide plenty of room and a natural boundary.
Bishop’s Cap (Epimedium grandiflora) – Zones 4-9. A wide range of plants are available in this species from low-growing ground covers only 6” tall to much larger plants up to 2’ in height. Also known as Barrenwort, this perennial plant is perfect for the dry shade beneath trees. Foliage can turn red or orange in the fall and remain over winter providing winter interest and the flowers in spring and summer are also attractive.
Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp) – Zones 3-8. The common name refers to the plants medicinal uses throughout history, but it is also called “Cowslip” or “Bethleham Sage” as well. A spring flowering perennial, Pulmonaria grows about 12” tall and 18” wide and has long, lance-shaped leaves that are often speckled, splotched, variegated or frosted looking. Highly attractive foliage and vivid flowers make lungwort a favorite understory plant. Part shade and well-draining soil are preferred.
Comfrey (Symphytum grandiflora) – Zones 4-8. An herb, long used medicinally, this perennial will tolerate dry shade once established. Growing about 12” with handsome, semi-evergreen foliage, comfrey does well under shrubs or small trees. Use comfrey in the shade garden and ways to use this early spring-flowering perennial plant.
Yellow Archangel Deadnettle (Lamium galeobdolen) – Zones 4-8. Yellow archangel is a perennial plant that grows 1-2’ tall and wide. It spread through creeping stems and can be somewhat invasive if not kept in check. Archangel would make an excellent, low-maintenance ground cover for a woodland area but is probably not the best choice for small mixed borders. Yellow summer flowers, variegated foliage and drought tolerance after the plant is established make Yellow Archangel Deadnettle useful in some garden situations.
Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) – Zones 3-9. Native to Eastern North America the Christmas Fern is a non-flowering perennial. The Christmas Fern is evergreen, providing winter interest, and does best in average to rich, dry or moderately dry soil. The fern will reach a height of 2 feet tall and the rhizomatous clumps will slowly grow to over 2’. Low maintenance and highly attractive with upright, evergreen foliage frond.
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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