10 Drought-Tolerant Plants That Love Shade

Closeup of a lungwort plant with blooming flowers — Credit:
Getty Images

It can be difficult to find plants that will thrive in the shady corners of your garden, but that challenge becomes even more daunting when those areas also have dry soil. Many plants that flourish in low light prefer moist soil, leaving gardeners with limited options for spots under trees and along decks or patios where sun and rain are hard to come by. Luckily, there are some plants that can survive in shade and drought, allowing you to maintain a lush landscape—even in the most challenging of conditions.

Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University
Ankit Singh, assistant professor and ornamental horticulture educator at the University of Maine Extension

01 of 10

Hellebores

One of the best choices for dry, shaded gardens, hellebores (Helleborus spp.) are prized for their leathery evergreen foliage and early spring blooms. "Flower colors range from white and cream to pink, burgundy, and purple," says Ankit Singh, assistant professor and ornamental horticulture educator at the University of Maine Extension. "Hellebores prefer partial to full shade and are especially useful under trees or along shaded foundations." They thrive in well-draining soil and need the occasional watering during periods of drought. Remove old leaves in late winter to keep the plant looking fresh.

02 of 10

Ninebark

For a drought- and shade-tolerant shrub, Linda Langelo, horticulture specialist at Colorado State University, recommends ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius). "Its flowers are pink or white, blooming in May and June," she says. "It is best to prune immediately after flowering. If you choose, you can prune this shrub closer to the ground to rejuvenate it." Ninebark performs best in acidic, dry to medium soil moisture and can be planted near a black walnut tree, which many other plants can't tolerate.

03 of 10

Barrenwort

Barrenwort (Epimedium spp.) is a beautiful ground cover plant with delicate spring flowers and heart-shaped leaves that often appear bronze or reddish. "It is especially useful under trees, where root competition makes gardening difficult," says Singh. "Epimedium is slow to establish at first, but once it settles in, it is dependable and low-maintenance." It prefers amended soil and pruning before spring growth.

04 of 10

Hosta

Hostas are among the most popular shade plants. They're grown for their foliage, available in various sizes and colors to meet your aesthetic needs, from small types that grow less than 6 inches to large ones that grow 4 feet tall or more, says Langeo. Hostas generally prefer some moisture, but they can withstand periods of drought once established. Singh notes that varieties with thicker, blue-green, or leathery leaves tend to be the most resilient.

05 of 10

Heuchera

Coral bells (Heuchera spp.) are shade plants grown for their impressive foliage. "Depending on the variety, leaves may be green, purple, bronze, caramel, or silver," says Singh. "Small airy flowers appear on slender stems, but the foliage is usually the main attraction." It performs best in partial shade and can tolerate drier conditions well. Good drainage is essential, and mulching around the plants can protect the roots from freeze-thaw cycles in colder climates.

06 of 10

Lilyturf

Lilyturf (Liriope muscari) is a tough, grass-like herbaceous perennial that handles shade, heat, and drought with ease. "It grows to 12 to 18 inches tall to 2 feet in clumps with arching, dark green, glossy leaves that are only an inch wide," says Langelo. "They bloom as a showy flower spike with violet-blue flowers in late summer." She recommends mowing over lilyturf in late winter or early spring.

07 of 10

Creeping Oregon Grape

A cluster of small yellow flowers with green leaves in an outdoor setting — Getty Images

A native low-growing evergreen, creeping Oregon grape (Mahonia repens) produces yellow flowers that bloom in April. "It is excellent for dry shade once established," says Langelo, adding that it looks beautiful in xeriscape shade garden designs. "The mahonia provides year-round structure with its evergreen foliage," she says.

08 of 10

Lungwort

Lungwort (Pulmonaria spp.) is a charming ornamental perennial that brightens shady corners of the garden. It's grown for its spotted foliage and early spring flowers in shades of blue, pink, purple, or white, says Singh. It is more tolerant of dryness than people often expect, especially once established. He notes that this plant still appreciates mulch and some supplemental watering in extended dry periods, so you can't completely neglect it.

09 of 10

Bigroot Geranium

Bigroot geranium (Geranium macrorrhizum) is one of the most reliable perennials for dry shade, says Singh. "It forms a spreading mound of fragrant foliage and produces pink, magenta, or white flowers in late spring to early summer," he says. "It works well as a ground cover and can handle challenging sites, including slopes and areas beneath trees." An added bonus? Bigroot geranium is great for suppressing weeds.

10 of 10

Japanese Painted Fern

Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum var. pictum) brings a softer texture to the landscape, and its fronds feature a stunning mix of silver, green, and burgundy. "While ferns are often associated with moist shade, this one can tolerate drier conditions better than many others if the soil is reasonably well prepared," says Singh. "It performs best in partial to full shade and appreciates mulch to help conserve soil moisture."

10 Drought-Tolerant Plants That Thrive in Shady Gardens