The 11 best perennials for partial shade

With some perennials, partially shaded areas in the garden can be made attractive and easy to care for. We present the best perennials for partial shade.

Perennials for partial shade are in great demand. There are partially shaded locations in almost every garden. A wall , a hedge or tall trees with a dense crown can cast their shadow on a bed depending on the time of day. These partially shaded areas differ from shady locations in that they are exposed to the sun for up to four hours. Perennials that do well here must therefore tolerate full sunlight and the associated dry soil at times. In addition, the perennials develop their full growth power and beauty even during the sunless part of the day. Below we present the most beautiful perennials for partial shade.

Astilbe

Astilbes , also known as astilbes, come in many hybrid forms, all of which are characterized by feathery flower panicles in white, pink, red or violet, which develop from June to September at the ends of upright flower stalks. But even outside of the flowering period, the perennials are very decorative for partial shade with their feathery, dark green foliage. As typical forest edge perennials, they prefer fresh, nutrient- and humus-rich, preferably slightly acidic soil. Important: The sunnier the location, the moister the soil should be.

Bergenia

Bergenias (Bergenia) are perennials that are attractive all year round, because after the first frost their leathery leaves turn red and remain standing over the winter. From March to May the white, pink or purple bell-shaped flowers form on leafless stems, which are arranged in dense umbels. Only then do the new leaves develop. Bergenias are extremely robust and good ground cover . The perennials feel most at home in fresh to moist, nutrient-rich soil.

thimble

With a height of 100 to 150 centimeters and bell-shaped purple flowers that grow together in tall racemose inflorescences, the foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) is a stately perennial. But be careful: all of its ingredients are poisonous! It blooms in the summer months and the short-lived perennial usually dies afterward. Before that, however, the foxglove spreads by self-seeding. The perennial does not like the blazing midday sun and prefers loose, nutrient-rich and fresh soil.

Monkshood

The deep blue, helmet-shaped flowers of the blue monkshood (Aconitum napellus) form from the beginning of June to August. They grow in clusters on upright stems that are 120 to 160 centimeters high. Monkshood is considered one of the most poisonous garden plants and you should always wear gloves when caring for it. The perennial plant appreciates nutrient-rich and moist soil in partial shade.

Lady’s mantle

If you are looking for an uncomplicated ground cover, a border plant or the ideal team player for partial shade, you will find the right representative in the soft lady’s mantle (Alchemilla mollis). Fragrant yellow flower clusters form from June to August above the perennial’s pretty lobed light green leaves. The perennial grows up to 50 centimeters tall and can cope with almost any garden soil.

Foam flower

The heart-leaved foam flower (Tiarella cordifolia) grows to around 20 centimetres high and spreads by means of above-ground runners. Its heart-shaped, slightly hairy leaves often take on a pretty autumn colour and remain on the plant over the winter. From April to May, the perennials bear their flower clusters on stems up to 30 centimetres high. These clusters consist of small, creamy white to pale pink individual flowers. They are a good source of food for bees . The soil in partial shade should be well-drained and moderately moist.

Silver candle

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) is an attractive perennial that produces pretty feathery leaves and flowering candles that can grow up to two meters high. Its flowering period lasts from June to August. This long-lived perennial does not like the blazing midday sun, but prefers to be in light shade under trees. The soil should be evenly fresh and nutrient-rich.

Masterwort

With its star-shaped flowers in white, green, pink or red, the Great Masterwort (Astrantia major) is a graceful eye-catcher in any flowerbed during its flowering period from June to August. The medium-sized wild perennial – 50 to 70 centimetres high – looks best in larger groups. Its soil should never dry out; moist, calcareous loam is ideal.

Daylily

The large, funnel-shaped flowers of the daylilies (Hemerocallis hybrids) only last for one day, but once the flowering period begins at the end of May, new flowers open again and again throughout the summer. With their strong yellow, orange, red and brown tones, they are striking focal points. The flowers are accompanied by elongated, ribbon-shaped leaves. The dense clumps grow up to 120 centimeters tall. The perennials for partial shade are quite easy to care for and can cope with any good garden soil.

Meadow Rue

There are several species of meadow rue (Thalictrum) that are suitable for the garden. They all have panicle-like, loose flower heads in pastel shades of pink and violet, as well as white or yellow. They bloom most frequently in July and August. The leaves are odd-pinnate and the plant grows to a height of between 80 and 200 centimeters. The graceful perennial grows best in partially shaded areas on calcareous, humus- and nutrient-rich soil with high humidity.

Woodruff

The 20 to 30 centimetre high woodruff (Galium odoratum) is a reliable ground cover under trees and shrubs and can also be used as an edging plant. Its fresh green leaf whorls sprout early and have an aromatic scent. Between April and June the perennial develops white, star-shaped flower umbels that are a good source of food for bees. Woodruff prefers loose, humus-rich and preferably calcareous soil in a partially shaded to shady location.

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