Shade Tolerant Perennials

Thanks to Walter Siegmund for this image.

Fern – Adianthum pedatum

Northern Maidenhair Fern

Native to North America; finely textured, even frilly fronds on a black stem; Grower’s Choice

Deer Resistant
Shade Tolerant
Grower’s Choice
Part Shade

Arisaema griffithii

Cobra Lily

Unusual and dramatic rare woodlander; a calla-like hooded flower is deep deep purple netted through with chartreuse veins; between the snakeskin-like colour and the unusual shape of the flower, it may look like a cobra rearing out of the shade; Grower’s Choice

Deer Resistant
Rare/Unusual
Shade Tolerant
Grower’s Choice
Part Shade
Thanks to Karlostachys for this image.

Arisaema speciosum

Giant Cobra Lily

Unusual rare woodlander; a true show-stopper, with a long calla-like bloom that is wine-purple verging on black; the spadix is thick but trails down into a deep red thread that curls gracefully down; Grower’s Choice

Deer Resistant
Rare/Unusual
Shade Tolerant
Grower’s Choice
Part Shade

Asarum splendens

Wild Chinese Ginger

Wonderfully mottled leaves; very dark green with splashes of silver; unique cup-shaped blooms in spring are purple to chocolate; part to full shade; Grower’s Choice

Deer Resistant
Rare/Unusual
Shade Tolerant
Grower’s Choice
Thanks to Line1 for this image.

Fern – Asplenium scolopendrium

Hart’s Tongue Fern

Evergreen tongue-shaped chartreuse leaves with wavy margins; RHS AGM winner; rabbit resistant; Grower’s Choice

Deer Resistant
Shade Tolerant
Grower’s Choice
Part Shade
Thanks to Kenpei for this image.

Dicentra formosa aurora

Fern-leafed Bleeding Heart

Creamy white blooms with delicate gray-green foliage; Grower’s Choice

Deer Resistant
Rare/Unusual
Shade Tolerant
Grower’s Choice
Part Shade
Thanks to Peganum for this image.

Dicentra spectabilis ‘Valentine’

Specialty Bleeding Heart

Stunning special variety; deep red puffy “bustles” with a white tip; Grower’s Choice

Deer Resistant
Rare/Unusual
Shade Tolerant
Grower’s Choice
Part Shade
Thanks to Kor An for this image.

Fern – Matteuccia struthiopteris

Ostrich Fern

Produces edible fiddleheads in spring; soft and fine fronds

Deer Resistant
Shade Tolerant
Part Shade
Thanks to UpstateNYer for this image.

Sanguinaria canadensis

Bloodroot

Native to North America; small crocus-like white flowers with yellow stamens bloom mid-spring; blooms will open at dawn and close at sunset; part to full shade; will naturalize slowly; Grower’s Choice

Rare/Unusual
Shade Tolerant
Grower’s Choice
Thanks to Rolf Engstrand for this image.

Trillium erectum

Wake Robin or Bethroot

Deep chocolate to reddish-purple blooms; Native to North America; Part to full shade, spreads gradually; Grower’s Choice

Deer Resistant
Rare/Unusual
Shade Tolerant
Grower’s Choice
Part Shade
Thanks to Mike Ireland for this image.

Trillium grandiflorum

Great White Trillium

Native to the Pacific Northwest; known as Snow Trillium; produces showy blooms that slowly turn from white to pink; Part to full shade, spreads gradually; Grower’s Choice

Deer Resistant
Rare/Unusual
Shade Tolerant
Grower’s Choice
Part Shade
Thanks to Chris Upton for this image.

Trillium luteum

Yellow Wakerobin

Late bloomer with yellow blooms with a fragrance similar to lemon oil; Mottled leaves; Native to North America; Part to full shade, spreads gradually; Grower’s Choice

Deer Resistant
Rare/Unusual
Shade Tolerant
Grower’s Choice
Part Shade
Thanks to Eric Hunt for this image.

Trillium recurvatum

Prairie Trillium

Graceful maroon blooms; transplants easily and forms new stems & offshoots quickly; Native to North America; Part to full shade, spreads gradually; Grower’s Choice

Deer Resistant
Rare/Unusual
Shade Tolerant
Grower’s Choice
Part Shade
Thanks to Chanteusey for this image.

Uvularia grandiflora

Large-Flowered Bellwort

Unusual twisted bell-shaped yellow flowers in late spring; thrives in woodland shade areas; good cut flower; naturalizes easily; Grower’s Choice

Rare/Unusual
Shade Tolerant
Grower’s Choice
Part Shade
Good Cut Flower