HOME & GARDEN INFORMATION CENTER
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HOME & GARDEN INFORMATION CENTER |
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| HGIC 1716 | ||||
Plants that will tolerate more shade are designated with an *.
Most shade tolerant trees are small, understory trees that grow naturally in woods openings or along forest edges. They are best suited to growing in partial or dappled shade, or in morning sun and afternoon shade.
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Botanical Name |
Common Name |
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Acer palmatum |
Japanese Maple |
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Amelanchier |
Serviceberry |
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Asimina triloba |
Pawpaw |
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Cercis canadensis |
Eastern Redbud |
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Chionanthus virginicus |
Fringe Tree |
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Cornus florida |
Flowering Dogwood |
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Cornus kousa |
Kousa Dogwood |
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Franklinia alatamaha |
Franklin Tree |
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Halesia species |
Silverbell |
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Ilex species |
Holly |
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Magnolia virginiana |
Sweet Bay |
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Nyssa sylvatica |
Black Gum |
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Oxydendrum arboreum |
Sourwood |
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Podocarpus macrophyllus |
Plum Yew |
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Sassafras albidum |
Sassafras |
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Stewartia species |
Stewartia |
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Styrax species |
Snowbell |
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Tsuga species |
Hemlock |
Most shrubs are also shade tolerant rather than shade loving and will grow best in dappled or partial shade or in morning sun and afternoon shade.
Evergreen Shrubs
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Botanical Name |
Common Name |
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*Aucuba japonica |
Aucuba |
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*Euonymus japonicus |
Japanese Euonymus |
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*Fatsia japonica |
Fatsia |
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*Kalmia latifolia |
Mountain Laurel |
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*Leucothoe species |
Leucothoe |
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*Mahonia species |
Grape Holly |
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*Nandina domestica |
Heavenly Bamboo |
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*Pieris japonica |
Japanese Pieris |
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*Pittosporum tobira |
Japanese Pittosporum |
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*Prunus laurocerasus |
Cherry Laurel |
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*Sarcococca species |
Sweet Box |
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*Ternstroemia gymnanthera |
Cleyera |
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*Viburnum tinus |
Laurustinus |
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Abelia x grandiflora |
Glossy Abelia |
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Buxus species |
Boxwood |
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Camellia species |
Camellia |
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Cephalotaxus harringtonii |
Japanese Plum Yew |
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Cycas revoluta |
Sago Palm |
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Gardenia jasminoides |
Gardenia |
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Ilex species |
Holly |
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Illicium species |
Anise Tree |
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Loropetalum chinense |
Chinese Fringe |
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Michelia figo |
Banana Shrub |
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Osmanthus species |
Osmanthus |
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Podocarpus macrophyllus |
Plum Yew |
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Rhododendron species |
Rhododendron |
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Rhododendron species |
Azalea |
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Ruscus aculeatus |
Butcher’s Broom |
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Sabal minor |
Dwarf Palmetto |
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Viburnum species |
Viburnum |
Deciduous Shrubsb
|
Botanical Name |
Common Name |
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*Eleutherococcus sieboldianus |
Fiveleaf Aralia |
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*Itea virginica |
Virginia Sweetspire |
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*Kerria japonica |
Japanese Kerria |
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*Lindera species |
Spicebush |
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*Rhodotypos scandens |
Jetbead |
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*Viburnum acerifolium |
Mapleleaf Viburnum |
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Aesculus parviflora |
Bottlebrush Buckeye |
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Aronia arbutifolia |
Red Chokeberry |
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Callicarpa species |
Beautyberry |
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Calycanthus floridus |
Carolina Sweetshrub |
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Chimonanthus praecox |
Wintersweet |
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Clerodendrum trichotomum |
Harlequin Glorybower |
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Clethra alnifolia |
Summersweet |
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Corylopsis glabrescens |
Fragrant Winterhazel |
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Fothergilla species |
Fothergilla |
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Hamamelis species |
Witch Hazel |
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Hydrangea species |
Hydrangea |
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Jasminum nudiflorum |
Winter Jasmine |
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Rhododendron species |
Native Azaleas |
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Spiraea x vanhouttei |
Vanhoutte Spiraea |
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Vaccinium arboreum |
Farkleberry |
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Vaccinium ashei |
Rabbiteye Blueberry |
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Viburnum species |
Viburnum |
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Xanthorhiza simplicissima |
Yellowroot |
Many groundcovers are suited to growing in shade, even relatively heavy shade. Several vines and perennials may also be used as groundcovers.
|
Botanical Name |
Common Name |
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*Ardisia japonica |
Japanese Ardisia |
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*Asarum canadense |
Wild Ginger |
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*Asarum europeum |
European Ginger |
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*Aspidistra elatior |
Cast Iron Plant |
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*Convallaria majalis |
Lily Of The Valley |
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*Epimedium species |
Barrenwort |
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*Euonymus fortunei |
Wintercreeper |
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*Galax urceolata |
Galax |
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*Galium odoratum |
Sweet Woodruff |
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*Liriope species |
Lilyturf |
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*Mitchella repens |
Partridgeberry |
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*Ophiopogon japonicus |
Mondo Grass |
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*Pachysandra species |
Pachysandra |
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*Sarcococca hookerana v. humilis |
Sweet Box |
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Ajuga species |
Bugleweed |
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Ceratostigma plumbaginoides |
Leadwort |
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Chrysogonum virginianum |
Green and Gold |
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Geranium macrorrhizum |
Bigroot Cranesbill |
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Helleborus species |
Hellebore |
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Lamium maculatum |
Dead Nettle |
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Mazus reptans |
Mazus |
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Vinca species |
Periwinkle |
|
Botanical Name |
Common Name |
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*Ficus pumila |
Creeping Fig |
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*Hedera helix |
English Ivy |
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Actinidia kolomikta |
Variegated Kiwi |
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Akebia quinata |
Fiveleaf Akebia |
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Aristolochia durior |
Dutchman’s Pipe |
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Bignonia capreolata |
Cross Vine |
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Clematis armandii |
Armand's Clematis |
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Clytostoma calystegioides |
Violet Trumpet |
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Decumaria barbara |
Wild Climbing Hydrangea |
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Gelsemium sempervirens |
Carolina Jessamine |
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Hydrangea anomola ssp. petiolaris |
Climbing Hydrangea |
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Lonicera species |
Honeysuckle |
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Parthenocissus quinquefolia |
Virginia Creeper |
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Parthenocissus tricuspidata |
Boston Ivy |
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Schizophragma hydrangeoides |
Japanese Hydrangea |
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Smilax lanceolata |
Evergreen Smilax |
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Trachelospermum species |
Star Jasmine |
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Wisteria frutescens |
American Wisteria |
|
Botanical Name |
Common Name |
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*Arisaema triphyllum |
Jack-In-The-Pulpit |
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*Arum italicum |
Painted Arum |
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*Asarum species |
Wild Gingers |
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*Aspidistra elatior |
Cast Iron Plant |
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*Convallaria majalis |
Lily-Of-The-Valley |
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*Disporum flavum |
Fairy-Bells |
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*Galium odoratum |
Sweet Woodruff |
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*Helleborus foetidus |
Bearfoot Hellebore |
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*Helleborus x hybridus |
Lenten Rose |
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*Kirengeshoma palmata |
Golden Wax Bells |
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*Mertensia virginica |
Virginia Bluebells |
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*Phlox divaricata |
Wild Sweet William |
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*Polygonatum species |
Solomon’s Seal |
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*Pulmonaria species |
Lungwort |
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*Shortia galacifolia |
Oconee Bells |
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*Tiarella species |
Foam Flower |
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*Tricyrtis species |
Toad Lily |
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*Trillium species |
Wake Robin |
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Acanthus species |
Bear’s Breech |
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Alchemilla mollis |
Lady’s Mantle |
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Amsonia species |
Blue Star |
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Anemone species |
Anemone |
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Aquilegia species |
Columbine |
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Astilbe species |
Astilbe |
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Begonia grandis |
Hardy Begonia |
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Bergenia cordifolia |
Heartleaf Bergenia |
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Brunnera macrophylla |
Siberian Bugloss |
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Carex elata |
Golden Sedge |
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Ceratostigma plumbaginoides |
Plumbago |
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Chelone obliqua |
Turtlehead |
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Chrysogonum virginianum |
Green And Gold |
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Cimicifuga species |
Bugbane |
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Cyclamen species |
Hardy Cyclamen |
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Dicentra species |
Bleeding Heart |
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Digitalis species |
Foxglove |
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Eupatorium coelestinum |
Mist Flower |
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Ferns(most) |
Ferns |
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Geranium maculatum |
Wild Cranesbill |
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Gillenia trifoliata |
Bowman’s Root |
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Heuchera species |
Coral Bells |
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Hosta species |
Plantain Lily |
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Iris cristata |
Crested Iris |
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Lamium maculatum |
Spotted Dead Nettle |
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Lobelia cardinalis |
Cardinal Flower |
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Lobelia siphilitica |
Great Blue Lobelia |
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Phlox stolonifera |
Creeping Wood Phlox |
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Primula species |
Primrose |
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Salvia koyamae |
Japanese Yellow Sage |
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Saxifraga stolonifera |
Strawberry Begonia |
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Sisyrinchium angustifolium |
Blue-Eyed Grass |
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Smilacina racemosa |
False Solomon’s Seal |
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Spigelia marilandica |
Indian Pink |
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Thalictrum species |
Meadow Rue |
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Tradescantia virginiana |
Spiderwort |
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Viola species |
Violet |
Many early blooming bulbs such as crocus, scillas, snowdrops, and species tulips will grow well in areas shaded in the summer by deciduous trees. These small bulbs bloom and mature their foliage in the sun before the trees finish leafing out. The bulbs below will grow well in open or dappled shade.
|
Botanical Name |
Common Name |
|
Anemone blanda |
Grecian Windflower |
|
Anemone coronaria |
Poppy Anemone |
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Begonia species |
Tuberous Begonia |
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Caladium species |
Caladium |
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Colchicum species |
Autumn Crocus |
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Crinum species |
Milk And Wine Lily |
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Crocus species |
Fall Blooming Crocus |
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Cyclamen species |
Cyclamen |
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Endymion hispanica |
Spanish Bluebell |
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Galtonia candicans |
Summer Hyacinth |
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Gladiolus callianthus |
Peacock Orchid |
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Hymenocallis species |
Summer Daffodil |
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Ipheion uniflorum |
Star Flower |
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Leucojum aestivum |
Summer Snowflake |
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Lilium candidum |
Madonna Lilies |
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Lycoris species |
Surprise Lilies |
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Muscari species |
Grape Hyacinth |
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Narcissus species |
Daffodils |
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Zantedeschia species |
Calla Lily |
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Zephyranthes species |
Rain Lily |
|
Botanical Name |
Common Name |
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Acorus gramineus |
Japanese Sweetflag |
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Carex species |
Sedge |
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Chasmanthium latifolium |
Northern Sea Oats |
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Deschampsia cespitosa |
Tufted Hair Grass |
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Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ |
Japanese Forest Grass |
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Sasa veitchii |
Veitch’s Bamboo |
Most annuals need at least 6 hours of sun to flower well, although many will tolerate shade in the afternoon, if they have had a full morning of sun. These annuals will bloom with less sun, although all will need some sun for flowering.
|
Botanical Name |
Common Name |
|
*Caladium species |
Caladium |
|
*Impatiens species |
Impatiens |
|
*Mimulus species |
Monkey Flower |
|
*Torenia species |
Wishbone Flower |
|
Abutilon species |
Flowering Maple |
|
Begonia species |
Begonia |
|
Consolida species |
Larkspur |
|
Digitalis purpurea Foxy Group |
Annual Foxglove |
|
Lobelia erinus |
Edging Lobelia |
|
Myosotis sylvatica |
Forget-Me-Not |
|
Nicotiana sylvestris |
Woodland Tobacco |
|
Solenostemon scuttelariodes |
Coleus |
|
Viola tricolor |
Johnny-Jump-Up |
|
Viola varieties |
Pansy |
When selecting plants using this list, remember that a number of factors determine the suitability of a plant for a particular location. In addition to adaptability to shade, also consider moisture availability, soil type, hardiness and heat tolerance, and other factors.
Prepared by Karen Russ, HGIC Information Specialist, Clemson University
This information is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service is implied. All recommendations are for South Carolina conditions and may not apply to other areas. All recommendations for pesticide use are for South Carolina only and were legal at the time of publication, but the status of registration and use patterns are subject to change by action of state and federal regulatory agencies. Follow all directions, precautions and restrictions that are listed. (New 10/04)
The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service