10 Combinations for Shade

When it comes to gardening, shade is a lot like a rainstorm at a picnic: It isn't in your ideal plan, but you have to make the best of the situation.

Here are some shade combinations that will make low-light areas pop. Click on any image to open an enlarged version with the plants identified.

1. ‘Nikko’ deutzia (Deutzia crenata var. nakaiana ‘Nikko’, Zones 4-8)
2. ‘Othello’ ligularia (Ligularia dentata ‘Othello’, Zones 4-8)
3. ‘Sagae’ hosta (Hosta ‘Sagae’, Zones 3-9)
4. ‘Mt. Fuji’ Japanese iris (Iris ensata ‘Mt. Fuji’, Zones 3-9)
5. ‘Spectabile’ knotweed (Polygonum ‘Spectabile’, Zones 5-9)
6. Purple perilla (Perilla frutescens ‘Atropurpurea’, annual)

Click to enlarge and see all six plants.

1. ‘Ice Dance’ variegated sedge (Carex ‘Ice Dance’, Zones 5-9)
2. Hosta (Hosta cv., Zones 3-9)
3. ‘Baggesen’s Gold’ boxleaf honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida ‘Baggesen’s Gold’, Zones 6-9)
4. ‘Yoshino’ Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Yoshino’, Zones 6-9)
5. Dwarf Alberta spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’, Zones 2-6)
6. ‘Anceps’ fountain bamboo (Fargesia nitida ‘Anceps’, Zones 5-9)

Click to enlarge and see all six plants.

1. ‘Yellow Wave’ phormium (Phormium ‘Yellow Wave’, Zones 8-10)
2. Spider flower (Cleome hassleriana cv., annual)
3. Purple perilla (Perilla frutescens ‘Atropurpurea’, annual)

Click to enlarge and see all three plants.

1. ‘Siver Sceptre’ sedge (Carex morrowii ‘Silver Sceptre’, Zones 5-9)
2. Japanese tassel fern (Polystichum polyblepharum, Zones 6-8)
3. Fastigiate plum yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’, Zones 6-9)

Click to enlarge and see all three plants.

1. Korean boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. koreana, Zones 4-9)
2. Hosta (Hosta cv., Zones 3-9)
3. Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides, Zones 3-8)
4. ‘Mister Big’ hosa (Hosta ‘Mister Big’, Zones 3-9)

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1. ‘Seiryu’ Japanese maple (Acer palmatum ‘Seiryu’, Zones 5-8)
2. Glade fern (Diplazium pycnocarpon, Zones 3-8)
3. Hosta (Hosta cv., Zones 3-9)

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1. ‘Aureola’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’, Zones 5-9)
2. Fairy bells (Disporum flavens, Zones 4-9)
3. ‘Great Expectations’ hosta (Hosta ‘Great Expectations’, Zones 3-9)

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1. Dinosaur kale (Brassica oleracea ‘Nero di Toscana’, annual)
2. Threadleaf bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii, Zones 5-8)
3. ‘Choo Choo Train’ hosta (Hosta ‘Choo Choo Train’, Zones 3-9)
4. ‘Baby Sister’ iris (Iris ‘Baby Sister’, Zones 3-9)
5. My Monet™ weigela (Weigela florida ‘Verweig’, Zones 5-8)

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1. Purple perilla (Perilla frutescens ‘Atropurpurea’, annual)
2. Mrs. Robb’s bonnet (Euphorbia amygdaloides var. robbiae, Zones 6-9)
3. ‘Elegans Aurea’ Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica ‘Elegans Aurea’, Zones 6-9)
4. ‘Fortunei Albomarginata’ hosta (Hosta ‘Fortunei Albomarginata’, Zones 3-9)
5. ‘Snow Queen’ oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Snow Queen’, Zones 5-9)

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1. ‘Painter’s Palette’ knotweed (Persicaria virginiana ‘Painter’s Palette’, Zones 5-9)
2. ‘Ice Dance’ variegated sedge (Carex ‘Ice Dance’, Zones 5-9)
3. Giant wood fern (Dryopteris goldieana, Zones 6-8)
4. Purple perilla (Perilla frutescens ‘Atropurpurea’, annual)

Click to enlarge and see all four plants.