Gardening in the shade, or even part shade can be challenging at times. While this list is a compilation of plants that do well in “dappled” shade, I have included a few that will tolerate a few hours of morning sun and even a few that will tolerate sun “or” shade. Please read the descriptions carefully to determine which will work best in the amount of shade that you are planting in. Pay attention to the “summer sun” conditions where you are planting for best results.

 

Chinese Ground Orchid  Bletilla striata 

This terrestrial orchid grows to about 2′ x 2′ and does well in moist, humus-rich soil in dappled sun. The purple spikes emerge in early spring. Herbaceous perennial. Zone 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

Columbine, Red   Aquilegia canadensis 

This Texas native prefers moist, well drained soils and dappled shade. Red blooms appear in early spring. Herbaceous perennial. Zone 5

 

 

 

 

Columbine, Texas Gold   Aquilegia chrysantha var. ‘Hinckleyana’

A Texas native Columbine that thrives in dappled shade and moist, well drained soils. Large yellow blooms appear in early spring. Herbaceous perennial. Zone 5.

 

 

 

 

 

Elephant Ear  Colocasia spp. and Alocasia spp.

There are may different varieties of the plant called “Elephant Ear” that come from the Genera Colocasia or Alocasia. Check the mature size and winter hardiness of each variety. They grow best dappled shade in rich, organic soil. Alocasia varieties generally tolerate more sun than the Colocasia varieties. Lift the bulb in the fall if not cold hardy.

 

 

 

Hardy Amaryllis   Amaryllis x Johnsonii

This April-May blooming Amaryllis is more tolerant of clay soils and cold than other Amaryllis. Grown from a bulb, it is often found in heirloom gardens. Flowers usually precede the leaves in the spring. Clumps may be divided and reset in the fall. Will tolerate some sun. Zone 8.

 

 

 

 

Hosta    Hosta spp.

These herbaceous perennials with colorful leaves and tall flowers can do well in dappled shade in Central Texas. Improved, well-drained soil and regular irrigation is recommended. Incorporate compost into the entire bed before planting and mulch to conserve moisture. Check individual varieties for mature size. Often planted with ferns and hydrangeas. Native to Eastern Asia. Zone 5.

 

 

 

Lenten Rose   Helleborus spp.

This is one of the few deer resistant flowering plants for dry shade. They are winter bloomers, usually blooming between January and March,  and often evergreen in mild winters. They prefer organic, well drained soil, and can be somewhat drought resistant once established.  Amend the entire planting area with compost prior to planting. Plant under a deciduous tree for a bit of color during the winter months. Native to temperate zones in Europe and China Zone 4. Click HERE for more info

 

 

 

 

Lily of the Nile   Agapanthus spp.

Lily of the Nile does best with four hours of morning sun and dappled shade the rest of the day in Central Texas. Plant in good soil amended with compost. This mid-to-late-spring bloomer comes in various mature sizes and colors that range from white to light blue to dark blue. Tall bloom spikes rise above the foliage with a riot of color in late spring. Both tall and dwarf varieties are available. Plant in well drained soil. Native to South Africa. Hardiness ranges of different varieties vary from Zone 5b to Zone 7.

 

 

 

 

Lily, Crinum   Crinum spp.

While perfectly suited for part sun to dappled shade, this bulb-type lily will also grow in full sun if planted in good soil. It is fairly drought tolerant onece established but does benefit from regular watering.This beautiful lily is available in several colors. This example is called ‘Milk and Wine Lily’ and has white and pink striped bloom clusters held above strap like foliage. Clumps grow to about 3′ tall and wide and may be divided almost any time, but fall is preferred. This plant is considered a “pass-along plant” since it is often shared with other plant enthusiasts. Blooms usually appear May thru July in Central Texas. Native to tropics to sub-tropics of Asian, Australia, Africa and the Americas, including the southern states of the U.S. Hardy to Zone 8.

 

Lily, Spider    Hymenocallus lirisome

This Texas native has large 7 inch fragrant flowers in groups of 2-3 on a 1′-3′ flower stalk. This Spider Lily grows from a bulb and prefers shade to part shade and constantly moist soils. It will tolerate clay soils, and is best for wetland gardens. Plants grow to about 3′ x 3′ and die back to the ground in the winter. Cut back in late February. Zone 7.

 

 

 

Lily, Red Spider Lily aka Resurrection Lily      Lycoris radiata

Originally from China, these bulbous perennials have showy red flowers which appear in late August to September on stalks that are 12″-28″ tall. Flowers appear before the leaves, which arrive in October and persist through the winter. Foliage goes dormant during the summer. Grow this Lily in part sun to dappled shade. Hardy to Zone 6.

 

 

 

 

 

Lily Turf             Liriope muscari

There are so many cultivars of Liriope, growing anywhere from 1′ tall to 3′ tall. This evergreen clumping member of the lily family makes excellent ground covers and border plants. Green and variegated varieties hold up well in the shade and some even take some sun. Blue flowers appear on spikes during the summer. Cut plants back in late February to allow new growth to come in fresh. Native to East and Southeast Asia. Zone 7.

 

 

 

 

Mistflower, Blue Shade       Eupatorium coelestinum

Blue Shade Mistflower grows 1-‘2- tall and spreads readily under the right conditions. Dappled sun in Central Texas is preferred, although it will grow in more sun with good organic soil and lots of water. This is an herbaceous perennial which comes back from the ground readily in spring. Like Gregg’s Mistflower it is a butterfly and pollinator magnet. Blooms appear late summer to fall. Zone 6.

 

 

 

 

Oxalis      Oxalis spp.

This ornamental clumping perennial is well-suited for dappled shade. Varieties come in green, purple or a combination of green and purple leaves. Flowers are white or pink. Mature sizes are variable, from 6″-12″ tall and 1′-3′ wide. Plants grow from tiny bulbs and thrive in rich, semi-moist well-drained soil. Native to S. America. Zone 4 to Zone 8, depending on variety.

 

 

Ruellia, Katie’s Dwarf      Ruellia brittoniana ‘Katie’

This compact herbaceous perennial has long narrow leaves that form a mound one foot tall and up to two feet wide. Purple, white or pink blooms appear continuously spring through summer. Seeds explode from pods and seedlings may revert to the tall Ruellia. Grows in sun to part shade to dappled shade. Cut back dead foliage in late winter. Hardy to Zone 8.

 

 

 

 

 

Sage, Cedar          Salvia roemeriana

This semi-evergreen native perennial forms a rosette of leaves  from which spikes of crimson red flowers appear in spring. Plants evolved to grow in the litter beneath Ashe Junipers. Adaptive to most well-drained soils. Re-seeds readily and is great for naturalizing and attracting hummingbirds.

 

 

 

 

 

Sage, Tropical         Salvia coccinea

This native re-seeding annual to perennial plant grows to 1′-3′ tall and has red blooms that are attractive to hummingbirds. Its pungent foliage is somewhat deer resistant. This plant will grow in sun to dappled shade.

 

 

 

 

Red Shrimp Plant       Justicia brandegeana

This tropical plant has bract-like flowers that look like shrimp! It will grow 3′-4′ x 3′-4′ and prefers at least part shade, but will grow and bloom in dappled shade. Although it is technically a Zone 9 plant, I have had it return most winters in Central Texas.  Attracts hummingbirds. Cut back to ground in late winter.

 

 

 

Texas Betony          Stachys coccinea

This Texas native grows to about 1′ tall and about 1.5′ wide, although bloom spikes can reach 3′ tall. The heaviest bloom is in the spring but scattered blooms will appear all summer. Texas Betony prefers shade and well drained soil that is somewhat moist. It is an herbaceous perennial that is hardy to Zone 7.

 

 

 

 

Turk’s Cap         Malvaviscus arboreus var. ‘Drummondii’

This Texas native is a pollinator’s dream. The red blooms top plants spring through summer on plants that can grow from 2′ tall in full sun to up to 6′ tall in the shade. This plant is adaptable to a wide range of soils and spreads very readily. Leave the stems upright over the winter and cut back to the ground in late February. Hardy to Zone 8  Note: Some varieties such as pink or white have been crossed with a tropical species and may not be as cold-hardy.