Skip to content
Log inStart trial

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

Siberian Carpet Cypress (Microbiota Decussata) — commonly known as the Siberian Carpet Cypress; this hardy plant thrives in Zones 2-7, image 39

Conifer

Siberian Carpet Cypress

Microbiota Decussata

FullUSDA 3–10
Siebolds Maple (Acer Sieboldianum) — shrub / tree for full or half or shade

Shrub

Siebolds Maple

Acer Sieboldianum

FullUSDA 5–10
Silky Dogwood (Cornus Amomum) — This hardy plant showcases flat-topped white flower clusters in late spring; well-drained soils and exhibits optimal growth in

Shrub

Silky Dogwood

Cornus Amomum

FullUSDA 5–8
Silver Archangel (Lamiastrum 'Hermans Pride') — dark green foliage with a serrated edge

Ground cover

Silver Archangel

Lamiastrum 'Hermans Pride'

Deep ShadeUSDA 3–10
Silver Falls™ Dichondra (Dichondra argentea) — fan-shaped silver-white leaves on slender silver stems

Ground cover

Silver Falls™ Dichondra

Dichondra argentea

HalfUSDA 9–11
Silver Leafed Princess Flower (Tibouchina Heteromala) — Thriving in USDA zones 9b-11, it reaches 3 to 5 feet in height with an equal spread

Tree

Silver Leafed Princess Flower

Tibouchina Heteromala

FullUSDA 10–11
Silver Splash Satin Pothos (Scindapsus x) — The Scindapsus x 'Silver Splash' is a trailing houseplant with dark green

Silver Splash Satin Pothos

Scindapsus x

Half
Silver Teaspoons (Kalanchoe Bracteata) — Reaching up to 12 inches tall, it thrives in well-draining soil and requires full sun to partial shade

Succulent

Silver Teaspoons

Kalanchoe Bracteata

HalfUSDA 10–10
Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — shrub for full or half or shade

Shrub

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus

Elaeagnus Pungens

FullUSDA 4–9
Silvervein Creeper (Parthenocissus Henryana) — The Silvervein Creeper (Parthenocissus henryana) is a captivating

Ground cover

Silvervein Creeper

Parthenocissus Henryana

FullUSDA 4–10
Sixteen Candles Summersweet (Clethra Alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles') — exuding a delightful fragrance

Shrub

Sixteen Candles Summersweet

Clethra Alnifolia 'Sixteen Candles'

FullUSDA 4–9
Slender Hairgrass (Deschampsia Elongata) — This species flourishes in USDA zones 4-9, preferring partial shade and moist soil conditions

Grass

Slender Hairgrass

Deschampsia Elongata

FullUSDA 3–10
Slender Sedge (Carex Lasiocarpa) — is a captivating addition to any water garden or wetland landscape; minimal maintenance; clip old growth in, image 90

Grass

Slender Sedge

Carex Lasiocarpa

HalfUSDA 5–10
Slipper Flower, Pouch Flower (Calceolaria Herbeohybrida Group) — the Calceolaria prefers a cool climate and thrives in partial shade; this herbaceous perennial

Annual

Slipper Flower, Pouch Flower

Calceolaria Herbeohybrida Group

Deep ShadeUSDA 9–9
Slough Sedge (Carex Obnupta) — narrow leaves reaching up to 3 feet in height; or areas with poor drainage

Grass

Slough Sedge

Carex Obnupta

FullUSDA 6–9
Small Leafed Westringia (Westringia Brevifolia) — It features dense, gray-green foliage and small, white to light mauve flowers emerging mainly in spring

Shrub

Small Leafed Westringia

Westringia Brevifolia

FullUSDA 9–10
Small Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum Biflorum) — or shaded borders.<br><br>In terms of maintenance

Wildflower

Small Solomon's Seal

Polygonatum Biflorum

Deep ShadeUSDA 3–8
Smooth Agave (Agave Desmetiana) — Plant in zones 9-11 for optimal growth

Succulent

Smooth Agave

Agave Desmetiana

HalfUSDA 8–11
Smooth Flax Lily (Dianella Longifolia) — Its slender, arching leaves and delicate blue flowers add texture to garden borders

Grass

Smooth Flax Lily

Dianella Longifolia

FullUSDA 8–11
Smooth Sumac (Rhus Glabra) — reaches 10-15 ft in height; requiring both male and female plants for fruit production

Shrub

Smooth Sumac

Rhus Glabra

FullUSDA 3–8
Snowbank False Aster (Boltonia Asteroides 'Snowbank') — Ideal for the back of borders

Perennial

Snowbank False Aster

Boltonia Asteroides 'Snowbank'

HalfUSDA 3–8
Snowberry (Symphoricarpos Albus) — which can be managed through annual pruning if a more formal shape is desired; a deciduous shrub native to North America

Shrub

Snowberry

Symphoricarpos Albus

FullUSDA 3–7
Snowdrop Anemone (Anemone Sylvestris) — but it can tolerate a range of soil conditions.<br><br>The plant features deeply lobed leaves and striking, image 41

Ground cover

Snowdrop Anemone

Anemone Sylvestris

FullUSDA 2–9
Snowdrop Wood-Sorrel (Oxalis Magellanica) — ground-hugging clumps that extend to a spread of around 6 to 9 inches

Perennial

Snowdrop Wood-Sorrel

Oxalis Magellanica

FullUSDA 7–9

Photographs are credited on each plant’s page.