Shade lovers
By: Garden Gate staff
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Made for the shade
Don’t let your shade garden get lost in the dark! There are two no-fail ways to brighten it up: White variegated foliage and bright white blooms.
But that’s not all the plants ahead can do. On top of being shade-lovers, these simple-solution plants are deer-resistant, too!
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Goat’s beard Aruncus dioicus
Goat’s beard has elegant, fluffy white flower plumes that rise above crisp, dark green leaves. Even after blooms fade, its foliage will look good all summer long. This makes it a great backdrop for smaller plants, such as colorful annuals.
Blooms Fluffy white plumes in early summer
Light Part to full shade
Soil Moist, fertile
Size 3 to 6 ft. tall, 2 to 4 ft. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 4 to 9
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1
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Brunnera Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’
Each heart-shaped leaf of ‘Jack Frost’ brunnera has an eye-catching lacy silver overlay. Plant it near the front of a border, where passers-by can stop for a closer look.
Blooms Small blue flowers in early spring
Light Part to full shade
Soil Moist, well-drained
Size 12 to 18 in. tall, 18 to 24 in. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 3 to 7
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 7 to 1
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Spotted deadnettle Lamium maculatum ‘White Nancy’
One of the most popular cultivars of spotted deadnettle, ‘White Nancy’ spreads quickly, creating a lush mat of white blooms that shines in low light.
Blooms Clusters of white blooms in midspring
Light Part to full shade
Soil Tolerates a wide range, including acid
Size 4 to 8 in. tall, spreading
Cold-hardy USDA zones 3 to 9
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1
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