Top 5+ shade-loving perennials to plant in May for months of easy color
They're perfect for gardeners who want a beautiful garden without the upkeep.
Wondering which perennials to plant in the shady areas of your garden this May? We’ve got you covered. Shady spots can be tricky, but the right plants can still bring in plenty of low-maintenance color. Below, gardening experts share five reliable, vibrant options that will brighten your yard from spring to fall.
Meet Our Expert
- Tony O'Neill, the founder of Simplify Gardening
- Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development with Terra Nova Nurseries
- Katie Rotella, senior public relations manager for Darwin Perennials
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Scabiosa
Boasting intricate, textural petals, scabiosa flowers are an excellent choice for a shade garden, explains Katie Rotella, senior public relations manager for Darwin Perennials.
She praises their long flowering window and adds that this flower, best for zones 5a through 9b, blooms in various cheerful shades of light purple, pink, and white. "Their foliage is a dense, dark green color for good contrast with the soft 'pincushion' blooms," Rotella adds.
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Phygelius Colorburst Rose
Phygelius Colorburst Rose is an excellent addition to any shade garden, according to Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development with Terra Nova Nurseries.
This eye-catching plant, with its tubular blooms that attract hummingbirds, does best in partial to full shade and will yield “bountiful flower counts for months on end,” Pavlich says.
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Geranium Rozanne
These pretty purple flowers are a top recommendation from Tony O'Neill, founder of Simplify Gardening, who notes they bloom from now through October, setting you up for months of beauty in the garden.
Best of all, he adds, the plant "spreads nicely and won't become a nuisance." It’s a great option for filling in gaps between other plants or softening the edges of pathways and borders.
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Satin Doll Anemones
The satin doll anemone is another recommendation of Pavlich's; like geranium Rozanne, this pink pretty will also bloom through October.
While it will thrive in partial shade, the plant will also perform just fine in full sun if you want to incorporate it in multiple locations throughout the yard. This flexibility makes it an easy pick if your garden has a mix of light conditions.
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Lamium Beacon Silver
Enjoy the best of both worlds with lamium Beacon Silver, which combines silvery-green foliage and pinkish-purple flowers and is one of Rotella's go-to recommendations.
"It’s easy to maintain and is durable down to USDA zone 3a, returning each year to brighten up spaces under trees or between buildings," she says. It also works well as a ground cover, helping to fill in shady spots while keeping weeds at bay.
