To the surprise of many gardeners the dark and dreary corners of there  shady-yards can come alive with beautiful flowers. 

Shade plants can be broken up into two  categories  full shade and part shade.   The first area we'll discuss is full shade.   These are places in your yard that receive no direct sunlight. This type of shade can be most commonly found under the canopy of large mature trees like Maples.  The same type of shade can also be found on the north side of your house or garage close to the foundation.  The list of full share plants that flower is limited but, we have found a few that do quite nicely.   The first plant that comes to mind is a bleeding heart which is easy to find and low maintenance.  The next plant on our list is fuchsia, a wonderful flowing shrub.   Another flowering shrub and probably the most popular is the Hydrangea.  The Hydrangea come in several colors including red, blue, white and tan.  Soil pH(acidity) can also effect the colors of Hydrangea plants turning a blue flowering plant to purple.  There are also many  types of ground-cover plants like Lily-of-the-Valley and Periwinkle. Ajuga is another type of ground cover  that are quite colorful.  Hosta's, a companion plant for Ajuga, are known more for there leaves then there flowers.   Hosta's come in hundreds varieties including ones with a variegated leafs that can help brighten those dark little corners of your garden.  Ferns also do well in full shade however they do not have any flowers.  They can however, be used in the background to add some height to your shade garden.  Phlox a low growing Perennial with flowers, compliment Ferns nicely.  Aster, like 'White Wood', can also add height and have white flowers. Most Aster require full sun, 'White Wood' is one of only a  few that can handle shade, so be careful.

     Partial shade is the easier of the two types of shade to grow plants in.  This type of shade receives filtered sun.  It can also get sun in the early morning or late afternoon only but, remains in the shade during the hottest part of the day between 10:00am. and 3:00pm.  Because it is the easier of the two types of shade to grow plants in, there are many many more varieties of plans that can be grown in partial shade.  For instance, most if not all, of the full shade plants will do well if not better in partial shade.  So we will only be able to mention but a few of   the many partial shade plants available.  The first plant that comes to mind   that's in our shade garden is the Blanket Flower. We bet you'll agree  that its a beautifully striking plant with vivid colors. The next plant  I have to mention is Astilbe.  Its color and texture make it quite unusual.  One of my favorite shade plants is the Coneflower.  All of  these plants are great for cutting and bringing indoors as well. 

Balloon Flowers  and Columbine are two plants that we just cant leave out. Columbine can be purchased as a potted plant or even as seed.  The last plant we need to mention is Primrose.  Its a low growing early blooming plant that comes in yellow, blue and red.  

This is only a few of the shade tolerant plants that are available.  This however, dose not even include bulbs...but that we'll have to wait until our September edition to build our bulb garden.