Dry shade plants
By: Garden Gate staff
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Dry shade solutions
Big trees are welcome on a hot day, but growing anything under them can be a real challenge — stop struggling!
Click ahead for three plants that can cope with these tough conditions. You’ll need to keep them watered for the first year while they get established. But once they’re off to a good start, just sit back and enjoy these resilient plants.
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Variegated Solomon’s seal Polygonatum odoratum pluriflorum ‘Variegatum’
Variegated Solomon’s seal isn’t just eye-catching in spring and summer. In fall, white-streaked foliage often turns yellow, and plants may sport small blue-black berries.
Type Perennial
Blooms White flowers in spring
Light Full to part shade
Soil Dry, well-drained or wet
Size 24 to 30 in. tall, 10 to 16 in. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 3 to 8
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 8 to 1
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Oregon grape holly Mahonia aquifolium
With its glossy, semi-evergreen leaves, Oregon grape holly can light up the shadiest corner. In fall the leaves become tinged with red, and clumps of blue-purple berries appear.
Type Shrub
Blooms Clusters of yellow flowers in spring
Light Full sun to full shade
Soil Well-drained to dry, acidic
Size 3 to 6 ft. tall and wide.
Cold-hardy USDA zones 5 to 9
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1
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Foamflower Tiarella spp. and hybrids
Some cultivars have lacy, deeply cut foliage, while others sport black markings on the leaves, such as ‘Susquehanna’ on the left.
Type Perennial
Blooms Dainty pink or white flowers in spring
Light Part to full shade
Soil Moist and well-drained to dry
Size 2 to 18 in. tall, 6 to 36 in. wide
Cold-hardy USDA zones 3 to 9
Heat-tolerant AHS zones 9 to 1
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