Plant Growing Guides

Dwarf Yew (Taxus)

Taxus baccata (and other Taxus species)

Shade-tolerant Euonymus

Euonymus japonicus

Shade-tolerant Ferns

Polypodiophyta (various genera and species)

Shade-tolerant Foliage Plants

Various species

Shade-tolerant Geranium

Geranium sanguineum, Geranium clarkei, Geranium himalayense

Shade-tolerant grasses

Various species (e.g., Festuca rubra, Lolium perenne, Carex spp., Chasmanthium latifolium)

Ajuga (Bugleweed)

Ajuga reptans

Shade-tolerant Groundcovers (Ajuga and Vinca)

Ajuga reptans and Vinca minor

Bearberry (Arctostaphylos)

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Epimedium (Barrenwort)

Epimedium × versicolor and related species

Shade-Tolerant Groundcovers (Ivy & Periwinkle)

Hedera helix (English Ivy) / Vinca minor (Periwinkle)

Club Moss (Lycopodium)

Lycopodium species

Shade-tolerant Groundcovers (Moss and Ferns)

Various species (e.g., Bryophyta division for moss; Polypodiopsida class for ferns)

Pachysandra (Japanese Spurge)

Pachysandra terminalis

Shade-tolerant Groundcovers (Sedum & Vinca)

Sedum spp. & Vinca minor/major

Vinca (Periwinkle)

Catharanthus roseus

Vinca (Periwinkle)

Catharanthus roseus (annual) / Vinca minor (perennial groundcover)

Vinca Minor (Periwinkle)

Vinca minor

Shade-tolerant Groundcovers (Vinca and Ajuga)

Vinca minor / Ajuga reptans

Shade-tolerant Groundcovers (Vinca & Ivy)

Vinca minor / Hedera helix

Shade-tolerant Groundcovers (Vinca and Pachysandra)

Vinca minor / Pachysandra terminalis

Shade-tolerant groundcovers: Liriope and Coral Honeysuckle

Liriope muscari and Lonicera sempervirens

Shade-tolerant Groundcovers: Vinca minor and Ajuga

Vinca minor L. and Ajuga reptans L.

Shade-tolerant Heather

Erica x darleyensis

Hellebore (Christmas Rose/Lenten Rose)

Helleborus niger, H. orientalis, and related species

Shade-Tolerant Herbs

Multiple species

Shade-tolerant Herbs (Mint and Oregano)

Mentha spp. and Origanum spp.

Mint (Shade-tolerant herb varieties)

Mentha spp.

Shade-tolerant Heuchera

Heuchera sanguinea and related species

Shade-tolerant Hydrangea

Hydrangea species (primarily H. arborescens, H. quercifolia, H. macrophylla)

Shade-tolerant Impatiens

Impatiens walleriana

Shade-tolerant Ivy

Hedera helix

Shade-tolerant lawn grasses

Multiple species (Festuca rubra, Poa trivialis, Chasmanthium latifolium, and others)

Shade-tolerant Lettuce

Lactuca sativa

Shade-tolerant Mint Varieties

Mentha spp.

Shade-tolerant Mosses

Bryophyta (Division); various species including Hypnum cupressiforme, Dicranum scoparium, Polytrichum commune

Shade-tolerant Native Ferns

Various species (Polystichum, Osmunda, Adiantum, Dryopteris genera)

Shade-tolerant Native Orchids

Various genera (Platanthera, Cypripedium, Epipactis, Goodyera spp.)

Shade-tolerant Ornamental Grasses

Various species (Carex, Hakonechloa, Luzula, Milium, Deschampsia, Polystichum hybrids)

Shade-tolerant Perennials

Various species (Hosta, Heuchera, Astilbe, Helleborus, and others)

Shade-tolerant Perennials (Ferns, Hostas, Astilbe)

Polypodiophyta (Ferns), Hosta spp., Astilbe spp.

Shade-tolerant Perennials (Astilbe and Liriope)

Astilbe × arendsii; Liriope muscari

Brunnera (Siberian Bugloss)

Brunnera macrophylla

Coral Bells (Heuchera)

Heuchera sanguinea

Hellebore (Christmas Rose)

Helleborus niger

Shade-tolerant Perennials (Hellebores and Ferns)

Helleborus spp. and Pteridophyta (ferns)

Shade-Tolerant Perennials (Hellebores and Hostas)

Helleborus spp. and Hosta spp.

Shade-tolerant Perennials (Hosta & Astilbe)

Hosta spp. & Astilbe spp.