Full Shade Perennials

If you have a north-facing garden or trees that block the sun, you can still achieve a lush, beautiful oasis. All you need are shade-loving plants! These tough perennials love low-light conditions, providing strong, reliable performance year after year.

At Garden Crossings, you’ll find options with colorful blooms, bold foliage, and interesting textures that keep your shaded garden looking lush all season. Browse our perennial shade plants!

Shadowland hosta with varigated leaves and purple blooms
'All Gold' Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa) forms a lush mound of bright green, arching leaves, thriving in shade and offering a graceful, cascading look for your garden - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A clump of 'All Gold' Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa) with narrow, arching yellow-green leaves grows in a garden bed beside rocks and soil - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'All Gold' Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)

$18.99
$18.99

A large clump of 'Aureola' Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa), with long, arching green and yellow striped leaves, grows in a garden filled with pink flowers and vibrant green foliage - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.Long, narrow blades of 'Aureola' Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa) in green, yellow, and pinkish-red overlap to form a dense, textured pattern of delicate, arching leaves - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Aureola' Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)

$18.99
$18.99

The 'Black Scallop' Bugleweed (Ajuga) features deep purple-green foliage surrounding tall spikes of vibrant purple flowers - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of a 'Black Scallop' Bugleweed (Ajuga) spike standing above dark, glossy, textured leaves. The blurred yellow-green foliage in the background highlights this perennial's striking groundcover appeal - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Black Scallop' Bugleweed (Ajuga)

$17.99
$17.99

A cluster of lush green 'Blue Mouse Ears' Hosta with broad leaves and tall stems topped with pale purple flowers blooms in a mulched garden bed, surrounded by other greenery - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.Close-up of 'Blue Mouse Ears' Hosta displays green, white-edged leaves with water droplets, thriving among brown mulch or straw - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Blue Mouse Ears' Hosta

$17.99
$17.99
A large 'Blueberry Muffin' Hosta with striking blue-green leaves grows in a bed. Thick, textured leaves feature wavy edges and prominent veins - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.Top-down view of 'Blueberry Muffin' Hosta, with broad blue-green leaves in a shade garden - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Blueberry Muffin' Hosta

$19.99
$19.99
Close-up of four delicate, light purple 'Bowles Me Away' Wallflower (Erysimum) blooms with yellow centers and green foliage - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.A cluster of tall, lilac colorted blooms with slender stems and green leaves grows by a gravel path, showcasing the beauty of 'Bowles Me Away' Wallflower (Erysimum) - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.

'Bowles Me Away' Wallflower (Erysimum)

$17.99
$17.99

A group of 'Brilliance' Autumn Fern (Dryopteris) shows green and light brown fronds, with the brown tones indicating new growth or a seasonal shift, creating a striking contrast against the lush surrounding greenery - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of 'Brilliance' Autumn Fern (Dryopteris) fronds in orange, yellow, and green among larger leaves. The colorful gradient showcases new growth and changing foliage of the central garden ferns - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Brilliance' Autumn Fern (Dryopteris)

$18.99
$18.99

'Canary Feathers' Corydalis with bright yellow flower spikes and delicate, fern-like green leaves - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Canary Feathers' Corydalis

$19.99
$19.99

A cluster of 'Captain Kirk' Hosta with bold green leaves and striking variegation, grows in soil near the base of a tree - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.The 'Captain Kirk' Hosta features large, variegated green leaves with yellowish centers and is sun tolerant, making it a standout among perennial shade plants with diverse leaf patterns and colors - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Captain Kirk' Hosta

$18.99
$18.99

'Chantilly Lace' Goatsbeard (Aruncus) features delicate, feathery stems topped with tiny cream flowers, creating an airy texture - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.Close-up of 'Chantilly Lace' Goatsbeard (Aruncus) features feathery, creamy white plumes and deep green foliage - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

'Chantilly Lace' Goatsbeard (Aruncus)

$18.99
$18.99

A 'Crested Surf' Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium) with silvery-green, purple-veined fronds grows beside green leafy plants in a shade garden, bordered by brown wood mulch - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.A 'Crested Surf' Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium) with dark reddish stems and silvery-green fronds thrives in a shady garden bed, nestled among companion plants near a lattice fence - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

'Crested Surf' Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium)

$19.99
$19.99
A lush green 'Curly Fries' Hosta with long, wavy leaves grows in mulched soil, while larger broad-leaf hostas provide variety in the background of this shade garden display - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.The ‘Curly Fries’ Hosta features long, narrow, wavy green leaves and thrives in shade gardens. Planted in dark soil, its unique foliage stands out amidst surrounding plants - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Curly Fries' Hosta

$17.99
$17.99

‘Cutting Edge’ Foamflower (Tiarella) is a woodland perennial with jagged green leaves and tall stems bearing dense white flower spikes, thriving in garden beds mulched with pine needles - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Top down view of green, jagged-lobed leaves and purple veins, 'Cutting Edge' Foamflower (Tiarella) forms clusters in dark soil - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Cutting Edge' Foamflower (Tiarella)

$18.99
$18.99

Clusters of 'Dark Side of the Moon' Chinese Astilbe feature dark foliage and tall stems with vibrant pink and purple blooms, growing in a garden bed amidst green leafy plants and hostas in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A dense cluster of 'Dark Side of the Moon' Chinese Astilbe, with jagged greenish-brown and purple leaves, grows closely in a garden bed, while small yellow and pink flowers can be seen in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Dark Side of the Moon' Chinese Astilbe

$28.99
$28.99

The 'Delft Lace' Japanese Astilbe features salmon pink flowers on red stems with green, serrated leaves, bringing airy beauty to shaded gardens and thriving as a perennial among leafy plants - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Clusters of feathery salmon pink flowers rise on tall red stems among dark green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Delft Lace' Japanese Astilbe

$19.99
$19.99

A close-up of 'Etain' Perennial Violet (Viola) shows its fragrant yellow blooms edged in light purple, set among green leaves with a dark purple pansy in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of 'Etain' Perennial Violet (Viola) features pale yellow flowers with purple edges and soft green leaves, bringing lasting charm and beauty to any garden setting - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Etain' Perennial Violet (Viola)

$17.99
$17.99

A 'Fire and Ice' Hosta, a shade-loving perennial featuring striking dark green and creamy white foliage, grows in a garden bed. Pale purple flowers bloom on tall stalks above pine straw mulch and nearby plants - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Fire and Ice' Hosta

$17.99
$17.99
A lush clump of bright green 'Fire Island' Hosta grows low to the ground, set against larger blue-green hostas in a shade garden among pine needles and soil - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.Close-up of ‘Fire Island’ Hosta features bright yellow-green overlapping leaves with prominent veins and a smooth texture, set against darker green foliage - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'Fire Island' Hosta

$20.99
$20.99
A cluster of 'First Frost' Hosta, known for dark green leaves with yellow edges and prominent veins. Densely layered, overlapping - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.The 'First Frost' Hosta, a popular shade plant, thrives in the garden bed with its green leaves edged in yellow - Photo Courtesy of Walters Gardens, Inc.

'First Frost' Hosta

$17.99
$17.99
Close-up of 'Fronds Forever' Lady Fern (Athyrium) shows its delicate, feathery green fronds in focus. The blurred natural background highlights the plant's striking foliage - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.A close-up of the 'Fronds Forever' Lady Fern (Athyrium) displays its delicate, feathery green fronds against a blurred backdrop with a touch of purple - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

'Fronds Forever' Lady Fern (Athyrium)

$19.99
$19.99

‘Ghost’ Ghost Fern (Athyrium), with its silvery foliage, pairs beautifully with broad-leaved hostas, creating elegant contrast and texture in shade gardens - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A cluster of delicate, light green fern leaves of 'Ghost' Ghost Fern (Athyrium), is complemented by broad variegated hosta foliage in a tranquil, shaded garden setting, bringing elegance with its airy fronds - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Ghost' Ghost Fern (Athyrium)

$19.99
$19.99

A close-up of 'Gold Heart' Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) displays its pink flowers on a curved stem, surrounded by vibrant gold-green foliage, flourishing in the sunlight of a shade garden - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A shade garden highlights 'Gold Heart' Bleeding Heart (Dicentra) with vibrant yellow-green leaves and pink, heart-shaped flowers on arching stems. Wooden lattice fencing and plant labels appear among the foliage in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Gold Heart' Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)

$18.99
$18.99

Close up of dense clusters of green and yellow variegated foliage, 'Golden Feathers' Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium) adds vivid texture and striking color as an eye-catching perennial for shady garden spots - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.Close-up of a group of light purple flowers with yellow centers rise above the variegated foliage of 'Golden Feathers' Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium) - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

'Golden Feathers' Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium)

$20.99
$20.99

Top-down view of 'Halo Sky Blue' Perennial Violet (Viola) blooms, featuring fragrant blue-violet flowers with green leaves, thriving in bright sunlight - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc.A black, ribbed planter filled with fragrant 'Halo Sky Blue' Perennial Violet (Viola) blooms sits on a patio, surrounded by green foliage and a softly blurred outdoor background - Photo Courtesy of Ball Horticulture, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

'Halo Sky Blue' Perennial Violet (Viola)

$17.99
$17.99

Made for the Shade

Full-shade perennials form the backbone of gardens that get little to no direct sun. They thrive in spots that receive fewer than four hours of sunlight per day, including dappled shade under trees and areas with gentle morning light. Perennials come back every year, so your shady beds improve over time. Try planting perennials:

  • Under nearby tree canopies
  • Next to your property fence 
  • Beside your garden shrubs, especially full-shade shrubs
  • Beneath your deck or patio (they’re perfect for structural overhangs)

Brighten Even the Darkest of Garden Beds

Perennial full-shade plants grow naturally where sunlight is limited. This means they stay healthy and vibrant, even where other plants struggle. From shade-loving flowers and variegated foliage to drought-tolerant varieties, every perennial in our selection at Garden Crossings is chosen for quality and shipped with care to ensure performance for gardeners around the country. Shop online!

FAQs

To choose your best shade perennials, consider:

  • USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: Understand which plants are most likely to survive winter in your location.
  • Soil: Matching the right soil type to your plant ensures survival.
  • Moisture Levels: Tree roots dry soil out quickly. Low spots hold moisture.

Top shade-loving perennials include:

  • Hostas for bold foliage
  • Ferns for rich texture
  • Coral bells for colorful leaves

These plants all thrive in low-light and woodland areas.

These flowers are low-maintenance once established. Ensure they thrive by checking the soil for moisture, watering as needed, lightly fertilizing with a slow-release formula, and applying mulch.