15 Shade-Loving Flowers That Bloom All Summer

Giant Himalayan Lily — Credit:
pcturner71 / GETTY IMAGES

When summer reaches full swing, you'll be grateful for the pockets of your garden that are shaded. While there are many plants that can handle longer days and intense sunlight, plenty of varieties can't withstand summer's intense growing conditions. But for the sections of your garden with full or dappled shade, the options are vast when it comes to choosing beautiful summer flowers. From hardy perennial shrubs to annuals with showstopping blooms, we're sharing the many shade-loving flowers experts say to consider growing this season.

Ray Larson, the curator of living collections and the associate director of the University of Washington Botanic Gardens in Seattle
Damon Abdi of the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's agricultural center

01 of 15

White Wood Aster

The white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata) is a deciduous perennial for light shade; its white blooms appear in late summer. "It does best with the occasional summer water in drier climates," says Ray Larson, the curator of living collections and the associate director of the University of Washington Botanic Gardens in Seattle.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 2 to 3 feet tall x 2 to 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Part shade or shade; well-draining soil

02 of 15

Hardy Begonia

Hardy begonia (Begonia grandis) is a deciduous perennial. It features bold foliage with clusters of white to pink flowers in late July and August. While it prefers some water during dry periods, it can handle being dry once it's established in shade, says Larson. It's also one of the best flowering late-summer shade perennials.

Zones: 6 to 9
Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Light to full shade; rich, well-draining soil

03 of 15

Finger-Leaf Rodgersia

Finger-leaf rodgersia (Rodgersia aesculifolia) features bold, textural foliage that is followed by panicles of flowers in early summer. "The flowers are white to pink and have large leaves up to 10 inches long with five to nine leaflets (they are reminiscent of chestnut leaves)," says Larson. "It can handle full sun if given adequate moisture but is generally best grown in open shade. It prefers regular watering during the summer months for the best show."

Zones: 5 to 8
Size: 5 to 6 feet tall x 2 to 3 feet wide
Growing conditions: Open shade (can tolerate more sun, too); rich soil

04 of 15

Hardy Ginger

Hardy ginger (Hedychium densiflorum) is a deciduous species that brightens up any woodland planting with showy orange-and-yellow flowers that arise from red bracts in July. "The narrow, deep green leaves appear in late spring and are followed by flower stalks up to 3 inches tall," says Larson. "The hardy true ginger needs regular summer moisture for the best effect, but happily grows into a sizable, well-behaved clump in time."

Zones: 7 to 9
Size: 3 to 6 feet tall x 3 to 5 feet wide
Care requirements: Part shade; rich soil

05 of 15

Giant Himalayan Lily

The giant Himalayan lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum) features enormous, fragrant blooms that appear in late spring and early summer. The white, Easter-lily like flowers have purple throats. From seed, each plant takes seven years to flower; bulbs will take just two to three years, with new offsets produced each year for an even better show down the road, says Larson. "Attractive seed heads follow and are held on sturdy stalks through the fall and into winter," he says. "They provide one of the most dramatic sights in any shade garden."

Zones: 7 to 9
Size: 6 to 9 feet tall x 4 feet wide
Care requirements: Part shade; rich soil

06 of 15

Hydrangea

It is hard to beat hydrangeas for early summer color in your shade garden. "From lacecaps to mopheads, there are a variety of colors and habits available, and many new cultivars have been introduced in recent years," says Larson.

Zones: 6 to 9
Size: 3 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide (varies by cultivar)
Care requirements: Light to open shade; rich, well-draining soil

07 of 15

Plantain Lily

Plantain lily (Hosta plantaginea) is an herbaceous perennial that blooms in white, lavender, or purple and comes with broad, heart-shaped leaves. It features beautiful variegated foliage that is just as beautiful as the flowers.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 3 feet wide
Care requirements: Part to full shade; well-draining soil

08 of 15

Stonecrop

Butterflies with pink autumn joy sedum. Credit: Neil Holmes/Getty Images

Stonecrop (Sedum) is a great addition to any succulent garden; its petals come in a range of colors, including purple, blue, burgundy, or variegated forms. The succulent forms clusters of dense flowers that bloom from late summer to fall.

Zones: 3 to 9
Size: 6 inches tall x 2 feet wide (varies by cultivar)
Care requirements: Part shade (can tolerate full sun, too); well-draining or loamy soil

09 of 15

Wishbone Flower

Wishbone flower (Torenia) produces tubular, blueish-lavender flowers with pops of white and yellow. "Its low-growing nature makes this plant great for the edge of a shade garden, but it can also be great for containers and hanging baskets in shadier sites," says Damon Abdi of the Hammond Research Station at Louisiana State University's agricultural center. "Pinching the plant will encourage a bushier form."

Zones: 6 to 9
Size: 6 to 18 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Part shade; well-draining soil

10 of 15

Spiderwort

Pollinators love spiderwort (Tradescantia) thanks to its flowers that bloom in shades of blue, pink, lavender, or white, depending on the variety. "Some species of Tradescantia have appealing purple foliage that complements the flowers," says Abdi. This plant is great for rain gardens, as it is often found in moist areas within its native range.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 18 to 36 inches tall x 18 to 36 inches wide
Care requirements: Partial to full shade; well-draining soil

11 of 15

Scarlet Sage

Scarlet sage (Salvia splendens) produces vibrant red flowers that are a favorite of butterflies and hummingbirds. It has a long blooming season and looks beautiful as a container plant or in a cutting garden, says Abdi.

Zones: 10 to 11
Size: 18 to 36 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Partial shade; well-draining soil

12 of 15

Impatiens

There are many varieties of impatiens to choose from, offering a spectrum of flower colors, including red, orange, pink, white, salmon, and violet, says Abdi. This plant thrives in areas with partial shade, as heat can cause its color to fade.

Zones: Depends on variety
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 12 to 18 inches wide
Care requirements: Partial shade; moist, well-draining soil

13 of 15

False Spirea

False spirea (Astilbe) produces showy flowers in a feather-like form that often come in shades of pink, red, and white, says Abdi. The blooms complement the plant's compound, serrated leaves. "When clumps get too big, divide them to limit overcrowding (every several years)," says Abdi.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 1 to 5 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
Care requirements: Partial to full shade; moist, well-draining soil

14 of 15

Columbine

Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) thrives in light shade and tends to self-seed, so it can fill in shady corners over time. Its flowers also attract hummingbirds and pollinators. Columbine's leafy stems and shades of red, yellow, pink, and purple work well in a woodland garden setting.

Zones: 3 to 8
Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 12 inches wide
Care requirements: Partial shade; average, well-draining soil

15 of 15

Toad Lily

Toad lily (Tricyrtis hirta) produces delicate, orchid-like blooms in shades of purple and blue that stand out in summer shade gardens. This moisture-loving perennial thrives in woodland borders and near ponds or other water features.