3 Perennials to add to the Shade Garden

Here are 3 perennials to add to the shade garden that most often can be found at the big box stores. Bleeding Heart, Toad Lily, and Aquilegia are 3 additions you can add any time spring through late summer/early fall. These are very easy and low maintenance perennials that add texture, dimension, and color to the shade garden at different times in the year.

Bleeding Heart (zones 3-9) is a favorite in the shade garden. This woodland favorite can be found in big box stores in early spring. If the conditions are right and you find the right cultivar, Bleeding Heart can bloom off and on all summer and in to the fall (in cooler climates).

Toad Lily (zones is a tall fall blooming shade garden perennial that can be found in the big box stores (and garden centers) in late summer early fall. I love the flowers of the Toad Lily and mixing this in with the hostas and ferns really gives some needed height and late season blooms.

Aquilegia (Columbine) is a prolific reseeder and enjoys either shade or sun gardens. This is a short lived perennial that reseeds itself and blooms early spring. I collect most of my seeds to give away to neighbors and to fill in bare spots in hard to grow places. There are so many colors to choose.

There are more shade garden perennials and in another post I share my 6 must haves and the foundation for any shade garden because they are so easy to grow and require no special care (in my opinion). The perennials I have written about fill my shade garden and have adapted and grown in the clay soil of SE Virginia. Plus I tried to recommend perennials that are usually found at big box garden centers because budget and availability may be an issue.

Thanks for stopping by and if you ever have a question, feel free to contact me. I will try to get back to you and find the answer. Happy gardening and remember gardening is about working with nature- not against it.