shade garden plants library

The encyclopedia of shade garden plants helps you identify the shade garden plants that are right for you. Browse the encyclopedia of shade garden plants to help you at any stage of your project.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Featured Article: Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Jack-in-the-pulpit is an intriguing wildflower native to North America named for its oddly-shaped bloom. Learn how to grow and use jack-in-the-pulpit in your yard or garden. See more »

American Maidenhair Fern

American Maidenhair Fern

American maidenhair fern is a classic fern used widely in shade gardens because of its unique appearance. Learn how to grow and use American maidenhair fern in your yard or garden.

See more »
Bloodroot

Bloodroot

Native to the woodlands of eastern North America, bloodroot is named for its bright red sap, which was used as a dye by Native Americans. Learn how to grow and use bloodroot.

See more »
European Wild Ginger

European Wild Ginger

European wild ginger is an adaptable, little-known shade plant that will brighten up any yard or garden. Learn how to grow, cultivate, and maintain European wild ginger successfully.

See more »
Golden Dead Nettle

Golden Dead Nettle

Golden dead nettle is a colorful perennial that is well-suited to both shady and sunny locations. Learn how to grow and use golden dead nettle in your yard or garden.

See more »
Golden Scaled Male Fern

Golden Scaled Male Fern

This hardy evergreen gets its name from the golden scales on its stems. The rich green fronds grow upright in a graceful, arching shape and can grow as large as four feet tall.

See more »
Hard Fern

Hard Fern

The hard fern, or deer fern, is fairly easy to grow, as it tolerates dryness better than most other ferns. As an evergreen garden plant, it can withstand frosty winters. Read about this hardy evergreen.

See more »
Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Jack-in-the-Pulpit

Jack-in-the-pulpit is an intriguing wildflower native to North America named for its oddly-shaped bloom. Learn how to grow and use jack-in-the-pulpit in your yard or garden.

See more »
Japanese Painted Fern

Japanese Painted Fern

Japanese painted fern is a unique multi-colored fern that brings color and life to any yard or garden. Learn how to grow, maintain, and use Japanese painted fern.

See more »
Japanese Yew

Japanese Yew

Japanese yew is one of the only conifers that is shade tolerant, and it produces vibrant berries that please the eye. Learn how to grow and use Japanese yew in your garden or as a house plant.

See more »
Male Fern

Male Fern

Male fern is an attractive garden plant with large foliage. Its tolerance for sun and dryness makes it easy to care for. Its large, arching fronds that typify the fern family make it very attractive. Read about this plant.

See more »
Masterwort

Masterwort

Masterwort produces spiky blooms scattered in clumps; however, it is also known for its medicinal properties. This clump-forming perennial has star-shaped flowers of greenish white, sometimes tinted pink or rose red. Learn more about this pretty plant.

See more »
Ostrich Fern

Ostrich Fern

The ostrich fern has large, featherlike fronds. It is good for naturalizing and can be successfully grown almost anywhere. It prefers moist shade although the ostrich fern's beautiful foliage will flourish under a variety of conditions. Read about this fern.

See more »
Royal Fern

Royal Fern

The royal fern has tall elegant fronds. It prefers acidic soil but is otherwise not particularly demanding. This tall, upright fern sprouts long, elegantly divided fronds that have a subtle pinkish cast when young. Learn more about the royal fern.

See more »
Tree Ivy

Tree Ivy

Tree ivy is a cross between ivy and a shrub brush, and one of the only plants crossed between genuses. Learn how to grow and use tree ivy in your home or garden area.

See more »
Variegated Broad-Leaved Sedge

Variegated Broad-Leaved Sedge

Variegated broad-leaved sedge has no flowers, but its attractive leaves are the shade of a green apple -- bright and beautiful. These plants add color and pop to any garden.

See more »
Wake-Robin

Wake-Robin

Wake-robin is the showiest trillium, and also the most widely-cultivated. It spreads abundantly but never aggressively. Learn how to use this North American native.

See more »
Western Sword Fern

Western Sword Fern

Western sword fern grows throughout North America, forming tight clumps, though leaves can grow quite large. Handsome, well-divided fronds with an upright form, a lance-shaped outline characterize this attractive fern. Learn more about this feathery fern.

See more »
Wintercreeper

Wintercreeper

Wintercreeper is a versatile shade plant that can be either ground cover or a dense shrub. Learn about growing, cultivating, and using wintercreeper to beautify your yard or garden.

See more »
Wood Anemone

Wood Anemone

Wood anemone is named for its preferred habitat -- the woods. This blooming plant spreads quickly and forms carpets of star-shaped, white or blue blooms in late spring above well-divided foliage. Learn more about this plant.

See more »

Allegheny Foamflower

Native to eastern North America, the allegheny foamflower thrives in rich, moist woodlands. Learn how to grow and use allegheny foamflower in your yard or garden.

See more »

Videos: Lawn & Garden