Is your garden mostly shady? Fear not! Even areas that don't get full sunlight can be just as beautiful and colorful as any bright, sunny yard. Many flowers actually love the shade! And when you plant both annuals flowers, which provide color all season long, and perennials plants, which return for many years, you'll have a garden that's full of blooms from spring to fall.
Before shopping for shade flowers, watch your garden at various times of day. Full shade is considered 3 or fewer hours of direct sunlight per day. Part shade is about 3 to 6 hours of shade. Then read the plant tags or descriptions so you choose the right flowers for your garden's conditions. And when planting perennials, make sure to choose those that can survive winters in your USDA Hardiness Zone (find yours here).
Don't forget that even shade plants need to be watered when first planted and during any hot, dry spells. Check pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets daily during hot weather because they tend to dry out more quickly than beds. Also, make sure to fertilize regularly (with any general purpose fertilizer) to prevent nutrients from leaching out and to keep flowers blooming all season. Thanks to these shade flowers, and a few helpful tips, even dark spots in your garden will be blooming with beauty!
Add a pop of color to even the shadiest garden!
Astilbe are hardy perennials with the most beautiful, feathery flowers in spring. Butterflies loves these flowers, but deer and rodents don't!
SHOP ASTILBE