Plant Growing Guides

Scaly Male Fern

Dryopteris affinis

Sedge

Carex species

Sedge grass

Carex species

Sedges and Rushes

Carex spp. (sedges); Juncus spp. (rushes)

Sensitive Fern

Onoclea sensibilis

Autumn Moor Grass

Sesleria autumnalis

Sessile-leaved Lobelia

Lobelia sessilifolia

Shade Aster

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum

Shade Groundcovers

Various species (e.g., Hedera helix, Vinca minor, Ajuga reptans)

Shade Hosta

Hosta spp.

Shade-loving Conifers

Various genera (Taxus, Tsuga, Thuja, Podocarpus, etc.)

Shade-loving foliage collection

Hosta spp., Polypodiopsida (Ferns), Helleborus spp., Heuchera spp.

Shade-loving foliage plants

Various species (e.g., Hosta spp., Heuchera spp., Polystichum spp.)

Shade-loving foliage plants in mixed planters

Various species (commonly Hedera helix, Hosta spp., Astilbe spp., Carex spp.)

Shade-loving Grasses

Multiple species (e.g., Luzula, Carex, Festuca)

Shade-loving ground covers

Various species (Vinca minor, Hedera helix, Ajuga reptans, Liriope muscari, Pachysandra terminalis, and others)

Ajuga (Bugleweed)

Ajuga reptans

Shade-loving Herbs

Various species

Shade-loving Herbs Collection

Asperula odorata (Woodruff), Symphytum officinale (Comfrey), Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm)

Shade-loving Hosta

Hosta spp.

Shade-loving Liverworts

Hepaticophyta (division)

Shade-loving mosses

Bryophyta (Division); various genera including Hypnum, Dicranum, Mnium, and Polytrichum

Shade-loving native ground covers

Various species (Asarum canadense, Carex pennsylvanica, Mitchella repens, Fragaria virginiana, Lysichiton americanus, etc.)

Shade-loving Ornamental Grasses

Various genera (Carex, Hakonechloa, Luzula, Milium, Chionochloa spp.)

Shade-loving perennials

Multiple species (Hosta, Astilbe, Heuchera, Polygonatum, etc.)

Shade-loving Perennials (Astilbe, Coral Bells, Brunnera)

Astilbe spp., Heuchera spp., Brunnera macrophylla

Hellebore (Christmas Rose)

Helleborus niger

Shade-loving Perennials (Hosta and Hellebore)

Hosta spp. and Helleborus spp.

Helleborus (Christmas Rose / Lenten Rose)

Helleborus niger / Helleborus orientalis

Shade-loving Salvia

Salvia nemorosa

Shade-loving Sedges

Carex species (various)

Shade-loving Sedums

Sedum spp. (shade-tolerant varieties)

Shade-loving shrubs

Various species

Shade-loving Understory Shrubs

Various species (e.g., Ilex, Sambucus, Viburnum, Calycanthus)

Shade-loving Woodland Plants

Mixed Species (Helleborus, Hosta, Epimedium, Heuchera, Astilbe, and others)

Shade Perennials

Various species

Shade Perennials (Astilbe and Hosta)

Astilbe × arendsii; Hosta species and hybrids

Hellebore (Christmas Rose)

Helleborus niger

Shade Perennials (Hosta and Hellebore)

Hosta spp. and Helleborus spp.

Shade Perennials (Hosta & Liriope)

Hosta spp. & Liriope muscari

Hellebore (Christmas Rose / Lenten Rose)

Helleborus niger / Helleborus orientalis

Shade-providing large-leaf plants

Various species (Hosta, Fatsia japonica, Alocasia, Philodendron, etc.)

Shade-providing native shrubs

Various species (region-dependent)

Shade Sedge

Carex oshimensis

Shade Shrubs

Multiple species (general category)

Boxwood & Inkberry (Shade Shrubs)

Buxus spp. & Ilex glabra

Celosia (Cockscomb)

Celosia argentea

Impatiens (Busy Lizzie)

Impatiens walleriana