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Shade Perennials
I present a few types of shade perennials here to give you ideas for those problematic shady areas. There are some whimsical plants here, with names to match: bleeding heart, Jacob's ladder, jack-in-the-pulpit. Hosta is the boring member of this fraternity, but it's a workhorse and a sufficient number of cultivars now exist to lend it some interest.
Hostas: Shade Perennial for Foliage
Hostas do put out a bloom, but on many types this flower is not especially attractive. In such cases, some gardeners (myself included) remove the flower stalks when they appear, lest they spoil the looks of the leaves. Hostas are grown primarily for their gorgeous foliage, which can be blue, gold, or even variegated (besides plain old green).
Jacob's Ladder
Have you ever wondered how these plants acquired the whimsical name "Jacob's ladder?" I tell you in this article. I also supply a picture, description, and growing requirements, plus care information and what some of the more interesting cultivars are. Jacob's ladder does best in partial shade conditions.
Bleeding Hearts
Are you seeking a showy plant for a partially shaded spot? Bleeding heart is a wonderful and whimsical option. One drawback this early bloomer has, though, is that its foliage dies back in summer. To disguise the "hole" thus created, grow other shade perennials around your bleeding heart that will assume prominence once temperatures warm.
Jack-in-the-Pulpit Plants
Native plant enthusiasts of North America will value jack-in-the-pulpit as a native "conversation piece" to include in their shade perennial collection. Many types are available. Some move beyond the merely whimsical in appearance and into the realm of the bizarre! I'm most familiar with one of the tamer versions, native to the woods of New England.
Perennial Plants for Shade Gardens: Astilbes
As Marie Iannotti, About's Gardening Guide, writes in this article on astilbes, these perennial landscape plants work well in shade gardens, offering a textural contrast to another group of favorite perennial plants for shade gardens: hostas. Find out more about astilbes and enjoy their feathery plumes in your shade gardens this summer.
Primroses
About's Gardening Guide, Marie Iannotti, writes, "The Primrose is an unusually vivid spring blooming perennial flower. Unlike the subtle pastels associated with spring, primroses shout out in bold yellows, reds, pinks and blues." I don't know about you, but after enduring a harsh winter, that's exactly what I want in my yard: "vivid spring blooming."