What better way to brighten up a shady spot than by using perennial flowers? Unfortunately, many perennial flower varieties thrive in the sun, not the shade, but there are a few excellent choices the prefer cool and dark locations:
1. Dicentra (Bleeding Heart). Dicentra's common name, bleeding heart, comes from the pink heart-shaped flowers on this plant. Bleeding Heart prefers semi-shade to full sun, and also a moist environment. If you have children or pets, however, you need to be careful as all parts of the plant are poisonous.
2. Primula vulgaris (Common Primrose). Common in English cottage gardens, the beautiful primrose is one of the earliest plants to bloom in Spring and they tend to have a long blooming period. The flowers can be pale yellow, white, red, or purple. Both flowers and leaves are edible, with young flowers being a key ingredient for Primrose wine.
3. Aquilegia (Columbine). The Columbine flowers grow naturally in woods and meadows, and are suitable for many semi-shaded locations. They have beautiful bell-shaped flower that come in a variety of colors. They prefer light shade and moist soil, and bloom normally from early to mid-May, although their blooming period can be extended through June if the flowers are removed regularly as they fade.
4. Begonia grandis (Hardy Begonia). There are over 1,500 species of Begonias, many which flourish in tropical environments. Most gardeners in the United States and Europe will be interested in growing the Hardy Begonia, some of which can often survive into zone six. These varieties grow well in the shade, but like their tropical cousins, they need a moist environment to thrive. Because Hardy Begonias generally bloom in fall, they can help extend the flowering period of your shade perennial flower garden. Flowers come in many colors, but pinks and oranges are probably the most common.
5. Iris cristata (Crested Iris). Irises have beautiful, showy flowers that make a wonderful addition to a shade perennial garden. Irises grow from rhizomes and perennial bulbs. Bearded Irises tend to flower in the spring, although some new cultivars may blooms again in the summer and fall (although the second flowering is usually not as showy). Many bearded irises are fragrant, and the flowers come in a variety of colors, with some being bi-colored.
