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Plants for Autumn Shade
Brightening Up Shady Corners
When autumn arrives, shady corners don’t have to be gloomy. There are many beautiful plants that thrive in partial and full shade, even in dry conditions. Here are some of our favorites:
Plants for Partial Shade
- Saxifraga fortunei `Black Ruby’: This exotic-looking plant produces masses of deep pink blooms above glossy burgundy foliage.
- Pheasant’s tail grass: This evergreen grass has colorful streaking on its leaves and self-sows for new plants.
- Actaea `Queen of Sheba’: This dramatic perennial has elegant bottlebrush flower spikes above dusky purple foliage.
- Violas: These easy-to-grow bedding plants bloom for ages and are perfect for pots.
Plants for Full Shade
- Mukdenia rossii ‘Karasuba’: This hardy perennial slowly creates carpets of maple-like leaves that flush red in autumn.
- Callicarpa bodinieri: Also known as beauty berry, this shrub has bright purple berries that last long after the leaves have fallen.
- Stinking iris: This iris thrives in dry shade and produces seedpods with startlingly bright orange seeds.
- Liriope muscari: This hardy perennial has glossy, evergreen leaves and sends up purple flower spikes in late summer.
Japanese Maples for Semi-Shade
- Acer palmatum `Orange Dream’: This Japanese maple has lime green leaves that transform to an almost sci-fi blend of pink and orange in autumn.
Tips for Choosing Plants for Autumn Shade
- Consider the amount of shade in the area where you want to plant.
- Choose plants that are known to thrive in shade.
- Look for plants with colorful foliage or flowers that will brighten up the shady spot.
- Consider the size and shape of the plants to ensure they will fit well in the space.
With these tips, you can easily add beauty and color to your shady corners this autumn.
