Top 15+ shade-loving plants that are almost impossible to kill

Spend less time working and more time relaxing in your shady oasis with these stellar selections.

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily

Shade gardens can be magical spaces, with the comforting shelter of mature trees, lush understory layers, and a chorus of birds chirping in the branches above. When designing shade gardens, focus on low-maintenance plants so you can spend less time working and more time enjoying your shady retreat during the heat of summer. Low-maintenance plants include compact varieties that require less pruning, and heat- and drought-tolerant selections that don’t require pampering when the temperature rises. Plants adaptable to a variety of growing conditions are easier to situate in the

garden and require less ongoing soil conditioning.

When selecting plants for the shade garden, plan for year-long interest and structure to carry the garden from season to season. Existing trees, pathways, and benches provide the framework to build from, against which shrubs and perennial plants provide color and visual texture. Evergreen shrubs add to the garden’s structure, while flowering shrubs make ideal focal points. Add layers of perennial plants for a lush ground layer of foliage and flowers.

As you establish new plantings in the shade garden, remember that low maintenance doesn’t mean no maintenance. Supplement rainfall as needed during the first year after planting perennials (longer for trees and shrubs) to support plants as they develop roots. For greatest success, match plants to their individual soil needs, paying attention to soil pH and drainage requirements.

01 of 14

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily
  • Botanical Name: Hydrangea quercifolia 'BIV01'
  • Sun Exposure: Part shade to shade, filtered light
  • Soil Type: Rich, medium to moist, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.0)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9

Oakleaf hydrangeas are large deciduous shrubs native to the Southeast. Unlike other hydrangeas, which can be quite fussy when it comes to pruning, oakleaf hydrangeas require very little trimming. Tara® is a well-behaved variety maturing to six feet tall and wide. It produces dense, cone-shaped flowerheads packed with double white blooms. The large, oak-shaped leaves turn a rich, wine-red hue in autumn.

02 of 14

'Soft Caress' Mahonia

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily
  • Botanical Name: Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress'
  • Sun Exposure: Part shade to shade
  • Soil Type: Average, dry to medium, well-drained
  • Soil pH: Alkaline (7.5-8.5)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 10

'Soft Caress' mahonia is unlike any other mahonia, with soft, ferny foliage and a compact habit. The evergreen foliage creates an airy mound growing three feet tall and wide that is topped by sunny yellow blooms in winter. Other mahonias are considered invasive because birds feast on the fruits, scattering seeds far and wide. The downy blue fruits of 'Soft Caress' mahonia appear to be seedless, making it a more sustainable choice.

03 of 14

'Buttered Rum' Heucherella

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily
  • Botanical Name: Heucherella hybrid 'Buttered Rum'
  • Sun Exposure: Part shade to shade
  • Soil Type: Rich, medium to moist, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Mildly acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 9

Heucherella is a hybrid of two Southeast native plants, Heuchera and Tiarella, a combination that has yielded numerous colorful varieties. These hardy plants have handsome sculpted foliage ranging from chartreuse to plum purple, and everywhere in between. 'Buttered Rum' produces rounded, maple-shaped leaves drenched in warm coppery tones. Cool weather draws out rose-red tints that are carried through the winter months. This compact herbaceous evergreen tolerates deer, drought, heat, and heavy shade.

04 of 14

'Florida Sunshine' Illicium

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily
  • Botanical Name: Illicium parviflorum 'Florida Sunshine'
  • Sun Exposure: Part shade to shade
  • Soil Type: Rich, moist, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic (5.0-6.5)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9

'Florida Sunshine' condenses the most charming traits of this Southeast native into a compact shrub growing just five feet tall and three feet wide. That’s a significant size reduction for a plant commonly called anise tree. 'Florida Sunshine' produces fragrant, chartreuse foliage that holds its color through the heat of summer. The yellow color intensifies in fall—when the stems take on red hues—and brightens the garden all winter. For best color, plant in light shade.

05 of 14

Japanese Sedge

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily
  • Botanical Name: Carex oshimensis
  • Sun Exposure: Part shade to shade
  • Soil Type: Average, medium to moist, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.5-7.5)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9

Sedges have gained popularity in recent years, with native and non-native varieties adding fine texture to shady gardens. This species has a clumping, non-spreading habit for a well-behaved groundcover. Plant in masses beneath shrubs or tuck along garden paths. Numerous cultivars offer a range of bright tints and variegation, and the foliage remains evergreen throughout most of its range. This versatile plant performs best in moist soil but tolerates dry spells better than most Carex. Plants are resistant to deer and rabbit browsing, making them useful in woodland gardens.

06 of 14

Variegated Solomon’s Seal

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily
  • Botanical Name: Polygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum'
  • Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade; dappled sunlight
  • Soil Type: Medium to moist, rich, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (5.5-8.0)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8

Dry shade gardens can be a challenging place for plants to grow, but Solomon’s seal tackles these tough spaces with grace. Long arching stems hold a paired row bright green leaves edged in white. The bold foliage brightens gardens in even the heaviest shade, which doesn’t faze this rugged perennial. Plants spread by rhizome, much like iris, to slowly form dense clumps. Solomon's seal tolerates a range of growing conditions and soils, including both wet and dry sites.

07 of 14

Japanese Plum Yew

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily
  • Botanical Name: Cephalotaxus harringtonia
  • Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade; dappled sun
  • Soil Type: Well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 6 to 9

Unlike other yews, Japanese plum yew tolerates heavy shade, summer heat, drought, and humidity, making an ideal evergreen selection for Southeastern gardens. This slow-growing conifer has a loose, shrubby habit that is typically low and spreading, though some columnar varieties are available. The dark green needles are soft to the touch. Mass in shady borders or plant as an accent in woodland gardens.

08 of 14

Woodland Phlox

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily
  • Botanical Name: Phlox divaricata
  • Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade; dappled sun
  • Soil Type: Medium to moist, rich, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.5-7.2)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 8

This woodland wildflower is perfect for naturalizing in shade gardens, where it can form large colonies under the right conditions: namely moist, organic soil. Plants dazzle in mid-spring with a flush of lavender, rose, or violet-blue flowers that open in loose clusters. Plants have a delicate appearance, but tolerate drought once established. Mulch plants to maintain soil moisture and protect roots.

09 of 14

Hellebore

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily
  • Botanical Name: Helleborus spp. and cltvs.
  • Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade; dappled sun
  • Soil Type: Rich, medium, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Mildly acidic to alkaline (6.0-8.0)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9

Hellebores are one of the easiest plants to grow in the shade, yet they are endlessly rewarding. Plants grow as low mounds of thick, deep green foliage that remains evergreen through the winter. A unique trait of hellebores is their flowering time, which ranges from mid to late winter, depending on species. The rose-like blooms are certainly a welcome sight in the cold winter months.

10 of 14

Barrenwort

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily
  • Botanical Name: Epimedium spp. and cltvs.
  • Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade; dappled sun
  • Soil Type: Rich, moist, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.0-7.0)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 8

This underutilized perennial is endlessly charming, with common names like fairy wings and bishop’s hat. The names aim to describe the plant’s unique four-petaled blooms that flower in a range of hues, including yellow, pink, lavender, purple, red, and white, depending on the species. Plants grow low to the ground, forming a lovely groundcover reaching six to twelve inches tall. They tolerate dry soil, heavy

shade, deer and rabbits.

11 of 14

Hosta

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily
  • Botanical Name: Hosta spp. and cltvs.
  • Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade; dappled sun
  • Soil Type: Rich, moist, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (5.5-6.2)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 9

Hosta or plantain lily is a popular shade plant thanks to its stunning foliage. With a wide variety of leave colors, shapes, sizes, and textures, hostas can be layered together to create gorgeous gardens all by themselves. Plant in full to dappled shade for best foliage color in Southern gardens. Hosta is easy to grow; however, deer and rabbits find their foliage rather tasty.

12 of 14

Cast Iron Plant

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily
  • Botanical Name: Aspidistra elatior
  • Sun Exposure: Partial to full shade
  • Soil Type: Rich, dry to medium, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (5.5-8.0)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 7 to 11

When hosta plants are not an option due to deer or rabbits, give cast iron plant a try. They don’t call this plant cast iron for nothing—it resist browsing, tolerates heavy shade, salt, and poor soil, and doesn’t mind occasional dry spells. Plants grow as upright clumps of dark, evergreen foliage standing two to three feet tall and spreading by rhizome up to two feet. Several spotted or variegated varieties are available with white or yellow markings.

13 of 14

Virginia Sweetspire

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily
  • Botanical Name: Itea virginica
  • Sun Exposure: Partial shade; dappled sun
  • Soil Type: Average, medium to wet, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic to alkaline (5.5-8.0)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9

This deciduous shrub is native to woodlands, swamps, and along stream banks throughout the Southeast. Plants are quite adaptable and can be of use in challenging spots such as low-lying areas of the landscape, rain gardens, and pond edges, where they help stabilize soil. Fragrant white flowers dangle from plants on long racemes from May to June, attracting an abundance of pollinators. Fall foliage sizzles in fiery red, orange, or golden hues.

14 of 14

Toad Lily

Tara® Oakleaf Hydrangea, 'Soft Caress' Mahonia, 'Buttered Rum' Heucherella, 'Florida Sunshine' Illicium, Japanese Sedge, Variegated Solomon’s Seal, Japanese Plum Yew, Woodland Phlox, Hellebore, Barrenwort, Cast Iron Plant, Virginia Sweetspire, Toad Lily
  • Botanical Name: Tricyrtis hirta
  • Sun Exposure: Full to part shade
  • Soil Type: Rich, moist, well-draining
  • Soil pH: Acidic to neutral (5.6-7.5)
  • USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 to 8

Toad lily is a hidden gem of the shade garden. Often overlooked during spring shopping when plants are out of bloom, this deer-resistant perennial will dazzle you with its jewel-tone blooms. The orchid-like flowers open along the stems in late summer to fall, with dark purple spots set against a pale lavender to white backdrop. Foliage is reminiscent of Solomon’s seal, with elongated leaves held on long arching stems. Toad lily thrives in deep shade.

Post Related