Skip to content

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

Coastal Correa (Correa Backhouseana) — scientifically known as Correa backhouseana

Shrub

Coastal Correa

Correa Backhouseana

FullUSDA 9–10
Coastal Doghobble (Leucothoe axillaris) — are borne in cluster axils

Broadleaf Evergreen

Coastal Doghobble

Leucothoe axillaris

HalfUSDA 6–9
Coastal Wood Fern (Dryopteris wallichiana) — dark green fronds that grow in a shuttlecock-like fashion

Fern

Coastal Wood Fern

Dryopteris wallichiana

ShadeUSDA 8–10
Coastal Wood Fern (Dryopteris arguta) — this fern thrives in USDA zones 7 through 10 and brings lush

Fern

Coastal Wood Fern

Dryopteris arguta

ShadeUSDA 8–10
Coast Barberry (Berberis Pinnata) — Ideal for erosion control, it reaches 3-6 feet in height with a similar spread

Shrub

Coast Barberry

Berberis Pinnata

HalfUSDA 5–10
Cocoon Plant (Senecio Haworthii) — Hardy in USDA zones 10-11, the Cocoon Plant is a low-maintenance choice; consider its preference for full sun exposure and

Ground cover

Cocoon Plant

Senecio Haworthii

FullUSDA 9–10
Coffee Fern (Pellaea Andromedifolia) — dark green to bluish-green fronds

Fern

Coffee Fern

Pellaea Andromedifolia

Deep ShadeUSDA 5–9
Coleus (Solenostemon Scutellarioides) — Thriving in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11, it is typically grown as an annual in temperate climates, image 119

Annual

Coleus

Solenostemon Scutellarioides

HalfUSDA 9–10
Coleus 'Alabama Sunset' (Solenostemon 'Alabama Sunset') — For best results, plant in well-draining soil and keep consistently moist

Annual

Coleus 'Alabama Sunset'

Solenostemon 'Alabama Sunset'

HalfUSDA 9–10
Coleus 'Peter's Wonder' (Solenostemon 'Peter's Wonder') — eye-catching foliage plant featuring a kaleidoscopic blend of green

Annual

Coleus 'Peter's Wonder'

Solenostemon 'Peter's Wonder'

HalfUSDA 9–10
Coleus Varieties (Coleus Hybrids) — They require well-drained soil and thrive in both pots and beds

Perennial

Coleus Varieties

Coleus Hybrids

HalfUSDA 10–11
Columbine (Aquilegia Hybrids) — Mature plants reach 15-20 inches in height and spread up to 12 inches; thriving in USDA zones 3-8, it prefers partially shaded

Perennial

Columbine

Aquilegia Hybrids

HalfUSDA 3–10
Common Bleeding Heart (Dicentra Spectabilis) — A rich, moist, well-draining soil, with a slightly acidic to neutral pH, will ensure optimal growth; this

Perennial

Common Bleeding Heart

Dicentra Spectabilis

HalfUSDA 4–10
Common Columnar Juniper (Juniperus Communis 'Compressa') — evergreen conifer of exquisite form that provides vertical accentuation in landscape designs

Shrub

Common Columnar Juniper

Juniperus Communis 'Compressa'

FullUSDA 4–10
Common Columnar Juniper (Juniperus Communis 'Gold Cone') — This evergreen conifer is a distinctive addition to the landscape

Shrub

Common Columnar Juniper

Juniperus Communis 'Gold Cone'

FullUSDA 5–8
Common Pansy (Viola X Wittrockiana) — This hybrid plant typically reaches a modest height of 6 to 9 inches and spreads approximately 9 to 12, image 99

Annual

Common Pansy

Viola X Wittrockiana

FullUSDA 6–10
Common Rhododendron (Rhododendron Ponticum) — blue and lavender flowers in the garden; is a widely recognized evergreen shrub that offers a substantial visual

Broadleaf Evergreen

Common Rhododendron

Rhododendron Ponticum

HalfUSDA 7–9
Common Rue, Herb-Of-Grace (Ruta Graveolens) — bushy mound with a somewhat woody base

Herb

Common Rue, Herb-Of-Grace

Ruta Graveolens

FullUSDA 4–9
Common Rush (Juncus Effusus V. Brunneus) — brunneus) is an ornamental perennial grass-like plant

Perennial

Common Rush

Juncus Effusus V. Brunneus

FullUSDA 8–10
Compact Dragon Tree (Dracaena Fragrans 'Compacta') — Thriving best in partial shade; although they grow at a sluggish rate of 2 to 4 inches per year

Perennial

Compact Dragon Tree

Dracaena Fragrans 'Compacta'

HalfUSDA 9–10
Compact Japanese Holly (Ilex Crenata 'Convexa') — Its small, convex dark green leaves mimic boxwood and are resistant to pests and disease

Shrub

Compact Japanese Holly

Ilex Crenata 'Convexa'

FullUSDA 6–9
Compact Korean Azalea (Azalea Poukhanense 'Compacta') — with leaves that are a lustrous dark green

Shrub

Compact Korean Azalea

Azalea Poukhanense 'Compacta'

HalfUSDA 5–9
Compact Lily Of The Valley Bush (Pieris Japonica 'Compacta') — offering year-round interest with glossy

Broadleaf Evergreen

Compact Lily Of The Valley Bush

Pieris Japonica 'Compacta'

ShadeUSDA 5–8
Compass Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus Cylindraceus) — with a diameter of 18 to 30 inches; requires full sun and well-draining soil, image 87

Cactus

Compass Barrel Cactus

Ferocactus Cylindraceus

Deep ShadeUSDA 9–10

Photographs are credited on each plant’s page.