Full Shade Perennials

Calamagrostis brachytricha - KOREAN FEATHER REED GRASS

Korean Reed Grass is adaptable and forgiving late blooming grass. It does well in full sun, half shade and full shade too. Probably the only flowering tall grass suitable for shade. Award of Garden Merit by Royal Horticultural Society (UK). 3.5-4' tall...

Adiantum pedatum - NORTHERN MAIDENHAIR FERN

One of the most popular, unique looking native ferns. Delicate horizontal fronds arranged in circular pattern, dark up to black stems. Usually grow to about 1-1.5' of height and 1-2' of width (in ideal conditions up to 3' tall). Deciduous fern that dies...

Astilbe chinensis 'Purple Candles' - CHINESE ASTILBE 'PURPLE CANDLES' (= 'PURPURKERZE')

Later blooming Astilbe (August), more tolerant to sun and drought than other cultivars. 24-36" tall x 18-24" wide clumps of dissected leaves, panicles of reddish-purple flowers. Spent flowers persist on the plants into winter and make nice winter...

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's' - BIGROOT GERANIUM 'BEVAN'S' (CRANESBILL)

Ground covering perennial for half shade, with aromatic leaves, deep magenta flowers in May. Flowers for short period of time, but it's quality is the dense groundcovering mat. 0.75'-1' tall x 1.5-2' wide clumps of divided leaves, smaller flower above...

Phlox divaricata 'May Breeze' - WOODLAND PHLOX 'MAY BREEZE'

Selection from famous landscape architect and plantsman Piet Oudolf with pure white flowers in early spring. 12-15" tall x 12" wide clumps of partially evergreen leaves, saucer shaped fragrant white flowers (sometimes the buds and old fading petals have...

Aster cordifolius (Symphyotrichum) - HEART-LEAF ASTER (COMMON BLUE WOOD ASTER)

Very late-blooming native perennial with clouds of small pale blue flowers that are an important source of pollen and nectar for butterflies and bees at the end of the season. Upright plant with heart-shaped basal leaves. Blooms as the leaves of...

Chrysogonum virginianum 'Allen Bush' - GREEN AND GOLD 'ALLEN BUSH'

Green and Gold 'Allen Bush' is a low growing, mat-forming, ground-covering perennial that is more floriferous and compact than the species. Named after Allen Bush, plantsman and previous representative of Jelitto Seeds Company in USA. Reliable...

Athyrium niponicum 'Godzilla' - GIANT JAPANESE PAINTED FERN 'GODZILLA'

Large sport of Japanese Painted Fern, reaching 3' of height and 4' of width (up to 6'). Discovered in Plant Delights Nursery (NC) in the 90's. Fronds (leaves) have darker wine-red stems and silvery-green leaves. Slowly spreads into wide clumps. Best in...

Melittis melissophyllum 'Royal Velvet Distinction' - HONEY BALM 'ROYAL VELVET DISTINCTION'

Woodland perennial with exotic, bigger orchid-like flowers in May. 'Royal Velvet Distinction' is selection from famous Dutch plant lady Eleonore de Koning (nowadays retired). 12-14' tall and wide mounds, dark green and slightly fuzzy leaves, pink-white...

Dicentra eximia - FRINGED BLEEDING HEART (TURKEY CORN)

Bleeding heart native to eastern half of USA, underrated and underused perennial that is more common in European than in North American gardens. Grows into regular mounds of gray-green leaves, topped with rose-pink flowers.Slowly spreads into wider,...

Carex rosea - ROSY SEDGE

Versatile native grass (sedge), adaptable to light conditions and moisture. Cool season grass (actively growing in cooler months of the season), evergreen or partially evergreen. 12" tall x14" wide" clumps of fine green leaves, slowly spreads wide by...

Polygonatum biflorum - SOLOMON'S SEAL

Native woodland plant with nicely arching stems and nodding tubular flowers. 4' tall x 2' wide, clumps slowly spread by rhizomes to form smaller colonies. Flowers for about 3 weeks in May-June with cream white-greenish flowers. Ornamental blue-black...