Often a home gardener is faced with the challenge of planting in a location that doesn’t receive much direct sunlight. That area may be shaded by mature shade trees or be on the northern side of a building. If an area receives less than 6 hours of direct sunlight, it’s considered part sun, and areas that receive less than 4 hours are considered shade. Here are some plant selections that will do well in part sun to shade locations.

Trees

Beech, European (Fagus sylvatica)
Black Gum (Nyssa sylvatica)
Hemlock, Canadian (Tsuga canadensis)
Hornbeam, European (Carpinus betulus)
Kousa Dogwood (Cornus kousa)
Maple, Japanese (Acer palmatum)
Maple, Paperbark (Acer griseum)
Maple, Red (Acer rubrum)
Maple, Sugar (Acer saccharum)
Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

Woody Shrubs

Azalea, Evergreen*
Boxwood (Buxus)*
Chokeberry, Red (Aronia arbutifolia)
Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei)
Fothegilla (Fothegilla gardenia)
Holly, Evergreen (Ilex x meserveae)*
Hydrangea, Big Leaf (Hydrangea macrophylla)
Hydrangea, Oakleaf (Hydrangea quercifolia)
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Pieris (Pieris japonica)*
Privet (Ligustrum spp.)
Rhododendron
Russian Cypress (Microbiota decussata)
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia)*
Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus)
Sweetspire (Itea virginica)*
Witchhazel (Hamamelis spp.)
Yew (Taxus spp.)*

Ground Covers

Baltic and English Ivy (Hedera helix)*
Bearberry (Actostaphylos uva-ursi)
Japanese Spurge (Pachysandra)*
Myrtle-Perriwinkle (Vinca)*
Lily of The Valley (Convallaria)*
Sweetwoodruff (Gallium)

Perennials

Astilbe
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Bergenia
Black Kohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)
Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
Brunnera*
Bugleweed (Ajuga)
Campanula
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Columbine (Aqueligia)
Corydalis
Cranesbill (Geranium)
Dead Nettle (Lamium)*
Ferns*
Foamflower (Tiarella)*
Hosta*
Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla)
Lenten Rose-Hellebore (Helleborus)*
Ligularia
Lungwort (Pulmonaria)*
Polemonium
Tradescantia

Annuals

Begonia Coleus*
Impatiens*
Viola Torenia*
Vinca

Ornamental Grasses

Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa)
Japanese Sedge (Carex)

Vines

Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anom. petiolaris)
Boston Ivy (Parthenocissus)

*Better for deep shade.

If you would like to download a copy of this guide to keep please click here.