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The database

Full-shade plants

Plants for shade and deep shade: north sides, under canopy, courtyards.

1,155 plants

Full-shade plants in the database

Marginal Wood Fern (Dryopteris Marginalis) — shade-tolerant perennial that is indigenous to the woodlands of Eastern North America; the Marginal Wood Fern

Fern

Marginal Wood Fern

Dryopteris Marginalis

ShadeUSDA 3–8
Marie Luise Variegated English Ivy (Hedera Helix 'Marie Luise Variegata') — is a robust evergreen climber

Broadleaf Evergreen

Marie Luise Variegated English Ivy

Hedera Helix 'Marie Luise Variegata'

FullUSDA 4–9
Marmalade Alum Root (Heuchera 'Marmalade') — akin to marmalade preserves

Perennial

Marmalade Alum Root

Heuchera 'Marmalade'

HalfUSDA 3–10
Marnier's Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe marnieriana) — Marnier's Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe marnieriana) is a perennial succulent with flat

Succulent

Marnier's Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe marnieriana

HalfUSDA 10–10
Masterwort (Astrantia Major) — attracting both butterflies and the appreciative glances of garden visitors; pink and white flowers in the garden, image 112

Annual

Masterwort

Astrantia Major

HalfUSDA 4–7
May Apple, Indian Apple (Podophyllum Peltatum) — and by May (hence its name), image 102

Ground cover

May Apple, Indian Apple

Podophyllum Peltatum

HalfUSDA 3–7
Mazus (Mazus Reptans) — This plant tolerates occasional foot traffic

Ground cover

Mazus

Mazus Reptans

HalfUSDA 5–8
Meadow Sweet (Astilbe X Arendsii) — providing midsummer color and lush; it reaches 18-24 inches in height, favoring partial shade and moist, well-drained soils

Perennial

Meadow Sweet

Astilbe X Arendsii

ShadeUSDA 4–9
Media™ Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis) — It grows just 4-8 inches tall with a low, spreading habit suited to small pots and mixed containers

Media™ Nerve Plant

Fittonia albivenis

Full
Meehan's Mint (Meehania Cordata) — well-drained soil rich in organic matter

Perennial

Meehan's Mint

Meehania Cordata

HalfUSDA 4–8
Merlin Hellebore (Helleborus 'Merlin') — The enchanting Merlin Hellebore

Perennial

Merlin Hellebore

Helleborus 'Merlin'

FullUSDA 5–9
Merritt's Supreme Hydrangea (Hydrangea Macrophylla 'Merritt's Supreme) — The Merritt's Supreme prefers partial to full sun exposure

Shrub

Merritt's Supreme Hydrangea

Hydrangea Macrophylla 'Merritt's Supreme

HalfUSDA 4–9
Mexican Abelia (Abelia Floribunda) — making it an excellent choice for foundation plantings or as a feature in mixed borders

Shrub

Mexican Abelia

Abelia Floribunda

FullUSDA 5–10
Mexican Bamboo Palm (Chamaedorea Microspadix) — is a resilient and graceful palm

Palm

Mexican Bamboo Palm

Chamaedorea Microspadix

HalfUSDA 9–11
Mexican Bluebell (Ruellia Simplex) — The flowers can range in hue from deep blue to purples and even to white; is a vibrant and versatile perennial, image 87

Perennial

Mexican Bluebell

Ruellia Simplex

FullUSDA 8–11
Mexican Cigar Plant (Cuphea Ignea 'Matchless') — orange-red flowers mimicking lit cigars

Perennial

Mexican Cigar Plant

Cuphea Ignea 'Matchless'

FullUSDA 9–10
Mexican Feather Grass (Nassella Tenuissima) — waving feather-like panicles at 1.5-2 feet tall

Grass

Mexican Feather Grass

Nassella Tenuissima

FullUSDA 7–10
Mexican Fence Post Cactus (Stenocereus marginatus) — with stems ranging from 4-6 inches in diameter

Succulent

Mexican Fence Post Cactus

Stenocereus marginatus

FullUSDA 9–10
Mexican Fire Barrel (Ferocactus Pilosus) — colloquially known as the Mexican Fire Barrel; adorning its top are bright red or yellow flowers in summer, which

Cactus

Mexican Fire Barrel

Ferocactus Pilosus

Deep ShadeUSDA 9–10
Mexican Honeysuckle (Justicia Spicigera) — evergreen shrub reaching heights of 2-4 feet with an equal spread

Shrub

Mexican Honeysuckle

Justicia Spicigera

FullUSDA 8–11
Mexican Horncone (Ceratozamia Mexicana) — with a slightly acidic to neutral pH balance; this cycad should be planted in a sheltered area or provided with

Palm

Mexican Horncone

Ceratozamia Mexicana

ShadeUSDA 10–11
Mexican Ruellia (Ruellia Brittoniana) — purple flowers in the garden

Perennial

Mexican Ruellia

Ruellia Brittoniana

FullUSDA 8–11
Mexican Weeping Bamboo (Otatea Acuminata Aztecorum) — This clumping bamboo reaches heights of 15-20 feet and spreads 10-15 feet wide

Bamboo

Mexican Weeping Bamboo

Otatea Acuminata Aztecorum

FullUSDA 9–11
Midnight Rose Alum Root (Heuchera 'Midnight Rose') — reaches 10-12 inches in height with up to an 18-inch spread

Perennial

Midnight Rose Alum Root

Heuchera 'Midnight Rose'

HalfUSDA 3–10

Photographs are credited on each plant’s page.