Shade Plants

Arborvitae Fern, Selaginella braunii, shade, Green foliage. Water thoroughly after planting.

Autumn Fern, part shade, shade, Dryopteris erythrosora, Green, gold, orange, and burgundy leaves.
Plant in acidic soil, with consistent watering. Fertilize once a year in spring.

Cast Irons, Aspidistra elatior, part shade, green foliage. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Use a slow-release fertilizer in the spring.

Crabapple Tree, Malus spp., full sun, spring, white, pink, or red flowers. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Benefits from a 2-3″ layer of mulch.

Paperplant, Fatsia japonica, part shade, shade, fall, white flowers. Prefers acidic soil, well-drained soil. Fertilize during the growing season.

Holly Fern, Cyrtomium falcatum, shade, green foliage. Plant in moist, well-draining soil. Follow a regular watering schedule for the first season.

Hosta, Hosta spp., Part shade, shade, Summer, Chartreuse, white, and yellow leaves, white flowers. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Mophead Hydrangea, Classic Hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla, Part shade, shade, Spring, fall, White, blue, pink, red, purple, or green flowers. Plant in soil with pH of 6 or lower to get blue flowers, and neutral or alkaline (pH of 7 or higher) to get pink flowers. Fertilize once in the spring. Prune according to the hydrangea’s species. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Japanese Camelia, Camelia japonica, Part shade, shade, Winter, spring, Light pink, white, yellow, red, or variegated flowers.
Plant in slightly acidic soil. Prune lightly after flowering to shape. Fertilize with an acid-loving formula in late winter/early spring.

Lingularia, Tractor Seat, Leopard Plant, Farfugium japonicum, Part shade, shade, Summer, fall, Green foliage, yellow or orange flowers. Keep roots consistently moist. Fertilize once in spring. Deadhead spent flower spikes and cut plants to ground level after first frost.

Mahonia, Berberis, Oregon Grape, Mahonia japonica/berberis japonica, Part shade, shade, Spring, Dark green foliage, yellow flowers. Suckers should be promptly removed as they appear to prevent spreading.

Sweet Olive, Sweet Osmanthus, Osmanthus fragrans, Part sun, part shade, shade, Spring, fall, White or yellow flowers. Plant in acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.0 to 7.5). Water deeply until mature. Fertilize in the spring.

Tricolor Ginger, Stromanthe sanguinea, Shade, Leaves are variegated white and green, with reddish pink underneath. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Variegated Ginger, Shell Ginger, Alpinia zerumbet, Part sun, part shade, shade, Fall, winter, White/pink flowers. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Wood Fern, Dryopteris spp., Part shade, shade, Green foliage. Remove damaged fronds if desired.