Vivid petals, delicate textures, and the pollinators these plants attract can brighten up the warmest and longest days of the year. Long-lived blooms can serve as a memorable backdrop for family gatherings, late-morning brunches, and just about any celebration held outdoors. Cast in shade, many summer-blooming perennials can continuously thrive and elevate your garden’s appearance. Their mere presence would be a testament to the comforting conditions provided by both warmth and protection from direct heat.
There are dozens of flowering perennials and annuals that naturally produce buds as soon as temperatures begin to rise. They time their blooms with days having the lengthiest daylight periods, ensuring that pollination windows are maximized. While some of these plants require 6 – 8 hours of direct sun, many prefer to bloom in dappled, partial, or full shade. This way, both their blooms and their associated pollinators can avoid being scorched.
Shade-loving, summer-blooming perennials usually prefer to be rooted into relatively moist yet well-draining substrates. Direct sun exposure in summer can cause their substrates to dry out and reduce their capacity to absorb nutrients. When provided with ample moisture and protection, the wonderful plants below should prove to be the most interesting components of your summer garden.
1) Coral bells (Heuchera spp.)
Also known as alumroot, coral bells are some of the loveliest perennials for shade gardens. With heavily clustered inflorescences that bloom in late spring to summer, they come in a wide range of colorful cultivars and varieties. ‘Palace Purple’, ‘Berry Smoothie’, and ‘Lime Rickey’ are just a few options that are especially known for their performance in summer. These pair beautifully with other shade-loving plants to create a stunning display of texture and color.
Coral bells are generally perceived as attractive ornamentals because of their dramatic leaves. Even in the absence of blooms, the irregularly-shaped foliage can provide multi-season interest. Partial, dappled, or full shade is crucial to ensuring that the delicate leaves don’t burn or die back through warm months. In desirable conditions, these plants should quickly develop dense mounds of dazzling blooms and leaves.
2) Hydrangea (Hydrangea spp.)
Hydrangeas are some of the most reliable perennials for adding vertical dimension, complexity, and color to shade gardens. When selecting varieties that can bloom and thrive best through summer, make sure to look into their lighting requirements. Some thrive in partial shade, whereas others may prefer either full shade or more hours of indirect light per day. Mature specimens are more likely to tolerate sub-optimal sun exposure conditions.
Some of the most ideal, summer-blooming hydrangeas for shade gardens include bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla), oakleaf hydrangea (H. quercifolia), panicle hydrangea (H. paniculata), and mountain hydrangea (H. serrata). These produce beautiful bouquet-like inflorescences with blooms of various sizes. Interestingly, the floral colors of some species are influenced by soil alkalinity and the availability of nutrients.
Well-draining yet consistently moist substrates are crucial to the proper development of hydrangea shrubs. Over time, these may become increasingly woody. As their stems tend to grow to a few feet tall, they can be used as a backdrop behind lower-growing, shade-loving perennials. Regular pruning should promote the overall health and growth of flowering hydrangeas, encouraging the production of more blooms.
3) Spiderwort (Tradescantia spp.)
Spiderworts come in dozens of species of herbaceous perennials, many of which grow as visually appealing wildflowers in woody areas and fields. These versatile plants generally have trailing stems and shade-tolerant foliage. Due to their capacity to grow quickly, they may also be referred to as “inchplants”. Despite their rapid spread rate and tendency to grow as dominant groundcover, their summer blooms are very short-lived.
Dayflower is another name for these hardy plants, which produce solitary blooms that begin to die back after just a few hours of staying open. Generally pink or purple, the eye-catching blooms possess 3 – 4 petals and 6 – 8 bright yellow anthers. They open early in the morning in an effort to attract as many pollinators as possible before nightfall.
The best spiderwort species for shade gardens include purple heart (T. pallida), inch plant (T. fluminensis), silver inch plant (T. zebrina), and white velvet (T. sillamontana). Apart from producing summer blooms, these have attractive foliage that can add vibrant color and interest to dim locations. Note that, while they can handle summer heat, these species are likely to produce more flowers when provided with consistent moisture.
4) Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)
Set apart by the downward-facing orientation of their impeccably decorative blooms, species of the Fuchsia genus are fantastic additions to ornamental gardens. Typically present in the summer and fall, the blooms possess a teardrop shape and occur in profuse numbers. Those of some tropical species may appear all throughout the year, making them extremely rewarding to cultivate.
Summer fuchsia blooms chiefly attract hummingbirds, which are equipped with the anatomy to pollinate their seemingly inverted petals. Fertilized blooms eventually develop into dark green to purple berries, some of which have a citrus or pepper-like flavor. Hardy species are able to persist through winter conditions, serving as a source of nutrients for wild animals. Others may die back once temperatures drop, only to return once more in the subsequent spring.
Popular fuchsia cultivars can usually be grown as trailing plants or as upright bushes. Many horticultural favorites (e.g. ‘Dark Eyes’, ‘Dollar Princess’, and ‘Swingtime’) thrive best in warm, shaded areas. These can truly add an element of grace and vibrance to protected parts of the garden in summer. Note that direct exposure to intense, afternoon sun can damage the leaves and prevent stems from producing blooms.
5) Creeping phlox (Phlox stolonifera)
Creeping phlox is one of the most charming early summer bloomers to grow in a cottage garden or in larger setups that are afforded either full sun or partial shade. While up to 6 hours of direct sun per day can result in the production of more blooms, harsh afternoon light can quickly cause the substrate to dry out and the foliage to die back. It would thus be ideal to situate this species on the periphery of a shade garden.
Adequate airflow is crucial to ensuring that the foliage and inflorescences of creeping phlox remain in good condition. The vibrant flowers have a lengthy bloom period and may occasionally last through spring and summer. This makes them a fantastic choice for borders and pollinator gardens.
If you’re lucky enough to witness throes of phlox blooms, try to get a whiff of their fantastic fragrance. A good breeze should spread the gentle scent of their nectar, which is irresistible to butterflies and small birds. This woodland plant can quickly grow to serve as a visually appealing groundcover plant. It can be planted alongside its congeners, which likewise produce sweetly-scented inflorescences with milky white, pink, purple, or red petals.
6) Hostas (Hosta spp.)
Hostas, also known as plantain lilies, are unarguably some of the best perennials for shade gardens in mild to warm climates. Known for their colorful foliage and charming inflorescences, they arise in dense clumps that can measure as much as 6 feet (1.8 meters) across! As their leaf shapes and hues are quite variable, several species of hostas can be grown next to one another to create a diverse arrangement.
In the wild, hostas have evolved to thrive in the understories of woodland environments, where they are protected from intense sun and strong winds. Many species produce fragrant flowers through summer, during which the blooms attractively contrast the appearance of the leaves. The delicate flowers occur on the end of a floral spike which juts through and rises above the foliage.
Known for being adaptable to a variety of climates, hostas are low-maintenance plants. Once they are established, they will require minimal care in the form of occasional fertilization and consistent watering. If the leaves are protected from snails and slugs, they are likely to expand to their full size and remain in good shape throughout the year.
7) Bleeding heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis)
The spring to summer inflorescences of bleeding heart are unforgettable due to their uniquely graceful and delicate appearance. Each flower literally hangs from an arching floral stalk. Unlike the typical petals of most blooms, those of this species form the shape of a heart.
A member of the Papaveraceae family of poppy plants, L. spectabilis grows best in partially shaded, cool, and moist locations. Summer shade is necessary as intense light and markedly high temperatures may cause this plant to enter a period of dormancy. In optimal conditions, the blooms can last for several weeks, providing interest to the shade garden throughout the early to mid-summer months.
Once bleeding heart is well-established, it can quickly prove to be a low-maintenance herb. Its shoots grow to a maximum height of about 47 inches (1.2 meters). They can thus be used as a backdrop for low-growing species or as border features to help naturalize shaded fences and pathways. Loved by many florists for its charming features, this ornamental may seem to come straight out of a fairytale. Unsurprisingly, it is a recipient of the RHS Award of Garden Merit.
8) Common foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
The common foxglove is a summer-flowering, biennial plant, which means it requires two years of changing seasons to complete a single life cycle. Its first and only set of blooms is produced in its second year of growth, after which it produces seeds and dies back. Typically, a large amount of seeds is dropped to make up for the death of the mother plant.
Foxglove flowers are arranged in a terminal inflorescence. Showy and pendent, the blooms range in color from purple to pink, white, and even yellow. A closer look at the floral tubes reveals darker-toned speckles, which presumably aid in luring potential pollinators. Unlike those of the wild forms of this plant, which usually produce blooms on just one side of the floral stem, nursery foxglove cultivars produce blooms that completely surround their spike.
Partial shade is much appreciated by common foxglove, especially in warmer climates with scorching summer temperatures. The right amount of shade promotes vigorous growth, allowing floral spikes to reach impressive heights of up to six feet (1.8 meters) tall! Some horticulturists opt to prune the main floral stalks to promote the production of additional blooms later in the season.
9) New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri)
Now available in a wide range of hybrids with a stunning array of vivid floral colors, the New Guinea impatiens is a common ornamental in plant nurseries all around the world. Versatile, low-maintenance, and able to thrive in areas with limited space, this species is an ideal summer bloomer for full-shade gardens. Although its deep green foliage may persist under full sun, it can easily become scorched and dehydrated.
When situated in a well-draining substrate, routinely watered plants should readily produce blooms as early as spring. These can continue to appear on mature impatience shoots all through summer and early fall, adding alluring pops of pink, purple, red, and white to complement the darker leaves. Warm temperatures should bring out the best features, whereas cooler temperatures may cause the plant to die back. For this reason, cultivars of this species are frequently grown as potted annuals.
10) Corydalis (Corydalis flexuosa)
If you’d like to add cool tones to your shade garden, consider growing a few stands of corydalis. This stunning perennial is set apart by the bright blue tones of its tube-shaped blooms. These give the plant its unique character. Dangling in groups of up to 10 blooms along the length of inflorescence stalks, the flowers may first appear as early as spring and may persist through summer and early fall.
Optimal conditions are necessary for stimulating the lengthy bloom period of this oriental herb. Excessively cold or intensely hot conditions, such as those that cause significant droughts, may induce dormancy. Climate conditions in USDA hardiness zones 5 – 9 are generally desirable. Partial shade is a must as the glaucous, lacy foliage may become scorched and dry out under full sun exposure.
Corydalis looks especially charming in shaded rock gardens and woodland areas. Its eye-catching blooms and foliage also make it ideal as a border plant for shaded walkways and fences. Do note that to maintain its appearance, its roots require consistent and even moisture. If growth rates are desirable, you should be able to propagate this species to increase its spread year after year.
