Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Foliage color is their strength, ranging from washed amber of ‘Ginger Ale’ to the glossy black-red of ‘Black Beauty’.
Black Bugbane
The dark-purple, nearly black foliage is stunning and stays that way all season. In late summer, tall, hairy white blossoms rise above the leaves, giving architectural interest.
Hellebores
With late January, the first buds appear, shrouded with snow. In July, the flowers are still on the vines. They do, however, brown and tatter.
Bleeding Heart
If the temperature remains chilly, the blossoms might last for weeks. Lacy foliage dies back in early summer, giving way for later-blooming plants like Bugbane and Thalictrum.
Hakonechloa & Carex grasses
These grasses provide a distinct texture to the shadow garden loaded with enormous wide leaves and explode with colour.
Thalictrum (Meadow Rue)
Thalictrum adds floral interest to my shadow garden when Bleeding Heart and other primroses have finished blooming.
Ferns
Ostrich ferns are very lovely, but keep in mind that they grow tall and spread. They're ideal for making a fern valley, which I've done in a section of my shadow garden.
Solomon’s Seal
This shade-loving perennial (Polygonatum odoratum) grows on low, gracefully arching stems with pale green leaves edged in white.
Dianthus (Pinks)
Perennial dianthus (also known as "pinks") is an old-fashioned favourite that attracts pollinating insects, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its nectar!
Astilbe
Astilbe is a deer-resistant plant that looks best when planted in groups (rather than alone). As the seasons change, they also provide intriguing textures.