PERENNIAL SHADE GARDEN DESIGN PLAN

Create a lush, layered planting beneath trees with this perennial shade garden design. Combining bold foliage, soft textures, and blooms from late winter through fall, this plan brings lasting interest to dappled and shaded areas while creating a woodland-inspired garden rich in texture, color, and seasonal appeal.

Planting Guide

PLANT SELECTIONS

  • 1. Anemone 'Royal Blush'

    Royal Blush Windflower

    Height: 2 to 3 ft. Width: 2 to 3 ft.
    Light: Part sun to part shade
    Deciduous
    Bloom Season: Late summer to fall
    Zones: 5 to 8
    Quantity: 3

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  • 2. Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’

    Hakone Japanese Forest Grass

    Height: 12 to 18 in. Width: 18 to 24 in.
    Light: Part shade to full shade
    Deciduous
    Bloom Season: Late summer
    Zones: 5 to 9
    Quantity: 1

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  • 3. Pulmonaria ‘Trevi Fountain’

    Trevi Fountain Lungwort

    Height: 12 to 18 in. Width: 18 to 24 in.
    Light: Part shade to full shade
    Deciduous
    Bloom Season: Early to mid spring
    Zones: 4 to 9
    Quantity: 3

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  • 4. Heuchera 'Chocolate Ruffles'

    Chocolate Ruffles Heuchera

    Height: 10 to 12 in. Width: 16 to 20 in.
    Light: Part shade to full shade
    Evergreen in mild climates
    Bloom Season: Late spring to early summer
    Zones: 4 to 9
    Quantity: 3

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  • 5. Chelone lyonii 'Hot Lips’

    Hot Lips Turtlehead

    Height: 2 to 3 ft. Width: 18 to 24 in.
    Light: Full sun to part shade
    Deciduous
    Bloom Season: Late summer to early fall
    Zones: 3 to 8
    Quantity: 2

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  • 6. Hosta 'Canadian Blue’

    Canadian Blue Hosta

    Height: 18 to 24 in. Width: 3 to 4 ft.
    Light: Part shade to full shade
    Deciduous
    Bloom Season: Midsummer
    Zones: 3 to 8
    Quantity: 1

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  • 7. Acanthus mollis

    Bear’s Breeches

    Height: 3 to 4 ft. Width: 3 to 4 ft.
    Light: Full sun to part shade
    Evergreen in mild climates
    Bloom Season: Late spring to midsummer
    Zones: 7 to 10
    Quantity: 1

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  • 8. Astilbe x rosea 'Peach Blossom'

    Peach Blossom Astilbe

    Height: 2 to 3 ft. Width: 1.5 to 2 ft.
    Light: Part shade to full shade
    Deciduous
    Bloom Season: Early to midsummer
    Zones: 4 to 8
    Quantity: 3

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  • 9. Helleborus x ballardiae HGC ‘Pink Frost’

    Pink Frost Lenten Rose

    Height: 18 to 24 in. Width: 18 to 24 in.
    Light: Part shade to full shade
    Evergreen
    Bloom Season: Late winter to early spring
    Zones: 5 to 9
    Quantity: 3

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  • 10. Polystichum polyblepharum

    Japanese Tassel Fern

    Height: 18 to 24 in. Width: 2 to 3 ft.
    Light: Part shade to full shade
    Evergreen
    Bloom Season: Non blooming
    Zones: 5 to 8
    Quantity: 2

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  • 11. Anemone x hybrida 'Honorine Jobert’

    Honorine Jobert Windflower

    Height: 3 to 4 ft. Width: 2 to 3 ft.
    Light: Full sun to part shade
    Deciduous
    Bloom Season: Late summer to fall
    Zones: 4 to 8
    Quantity: 2

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  • 12. Mature tree

    Japanese Maple

    Height: 20 to 30 ft. Width: 10 to 15 ft.
    Light: Part sun to part shade
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Bloom Season: Spring
    Zones: 5 to 8

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