The plants for full shade that grow best include hostas, ferns, and Solomon's seal. These shade garden plants thrive in the darkest spots where sunlight barely reaches the ground.
I tested over a dozen species in my north-facing garden bed that gets less than 2 hours of direct light each day. Most plants struggled or died within the first season. But hostas pushed up strong leaves every spring without fail. My ostrich ferns shot up to 4 feet tall by midsummer.
Solomon's seal became my favorite surprise. It arched its elegant stems along the fence line and spread into a graceful colony by year three. The white bell-shaped flowers dangled beneath each stem in late spring. They filled the shady corner with quiet beauty that I still look forward to every year.
Full shade means your garden spot receives less than 3 hours of direct sunlight during the growing season. This sounds harsh but many plants handle it well. They developed larger leaves with more chlorophyll packed into each cell. Their leaves tend to be thinner so light reaches deeper into the tissue.
Deep shade perennials offer impressive size even without much sun. Ostrich ferns reach 3-6 feet tall in full shade and create dramatic vertical interest. Wild ginger stays low and forms dense groundcover mats just 6-8 inches tall. Japanese painted ferns add silver and burgundy tones at about 18 inches high. You can layer these heights to build a complete garden scene.
Soil preparation makes all the difference in your full shade areas. Tree roots compete for water and nutrients in the top 18-20 inches of ground. You need to add 6-8 inches of organic matter like compost or leaf mold before you plant anything. This feeds your new plants and helps the soil hold moisture longer between waterings.
Create planting pockets between major tree roots rather than trying to dig through them. Set your plants at the same depth they grew in their pots. Water them well after planting and add 2-3 inches of mulch around each one. Keep the mulch a few inches away from plant stems to prevent rot and fungal problems.
Your full shade garden will look sparse during the first year while roots establish underground. By year two you should see stronger growth and more leaves. Year three brings that lush filled-in look you want. Be patient and let these tough plants do what they do best in the shadows of your yard.
Read the full article: 20 Best Shade Loving Perennials for Gardens
