Shade Tolerant Perennials
Despite the fact that sunshine is plentiful here in the high country, most of us have at least a spot or two in our yards that is shady. Large trees (especially if it is a conifer) or a building (like a house or detatched garage) is going to create shade at some time during the day. Of course, a lot of our customers want to know if we carry anything that will grow in these shady areas. The answer is a resounding yes! In addition to our shade-tolerant trees and shrubs, we also carry a variety of perennials that will thrive in areas that get 4 or fewer hours of direct sunlight. We even carry a few perennials that will do very well in full shade—that is, in areas that receive no direct sunshine. Here’s some good advice: Before coming in and shopping for perennials (or for that matter, any outdoor plant), spend a little time studying when, where, and for how long different areas of your yard receive direct sunlight. This information will help you to choose the perfect perennial for any spot—sunny or shady—in your yard.
Ajuga reptans (Bugle Weed/Black Scallop)
Height: 3-10”
Width: 10-14”
Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Duration: Late Spring-Early Summer
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial to Full
Note Drought Tolerant
Alcea rosea (Hollyhock)
Height: 4-9’
Width: 1-2’
Bloom Color: Varies
Bloom Duration: Summer
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial to Full
Aquilegia (Columbine)
Height: 18”
Width: 15”
Bloom Color: Blue/White, Others
Bloom Duration: Late Spring-Early Summer
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial
Note: Deer Resistant, Attracts Hummingbirds
Astilbe
Height: 18-24”
Width: 2’
Bloom Color: Varies
Bloom Duration: Early to Mid Summer
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial
Bellium (Mat Daisy)
Height: 2”
Width: 15”
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Duration: Late Spring-Summer
Water: Moderate
Sun: Full Shade
Centaurea montana (Mountain Bluet)
Height: 14-16
Width: 12-16”
Bloom Color: Blue, Purple
Bloom Duration: Spring- Summer
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial to Full
Clematis
Height: 3-5’
Width: 14-20”
Bloom Color: Varies
Bloom Duration: Late Spring-Early Fall
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial to Full
Note: Vine; Attracts Butterflies
Crocosmia, Lucifer
Height: 3-4’
Width: 12-18”
Bloom Color: Scarlet Red
Bloom Duration: Summer
Water: Moderate Until Established
Sun: Partial to Full
Note: Attracts Humming Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant
Dicentra (Bleeding Hearts)
Height: 2-3’
Width: 24-30”
Bloom Color: Varies
Bloom Duration: Late Spring-Early Summer
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial
Note: Deer Resistant
Fragaria (Strawberry Lipstick)
Height: 4-6”
Width: 12-20”
Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Duration: Spring-Fall
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial-Full
Heuchera (Coral Bells)
Height: 16-18”
Width: 12-15”
Bloom Color: Pink, Red
Bloom Duration: Spring-Summer
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial-Full
Hosta (Several Varieties)
Height: 1-3’
Width: 1-4’
Elevation: 8000’
Bloom Color: Lavender, White
Bloom Duration: Summer-Fall
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial
Iberis (Candytuft)
Height: 6”
Width: 1’
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Duration: Late Spring-Early Summer
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial-Full
Lamium maculatum
(Dead Nettle)
Height: 3-12”
Width: 9-36”
Bloom Color: Varies
Bloom Duration: Spring-Summer
Water: Light to Moderate depending on light
Sun: Partial-Full Shade
Polemonium caeruleum
(Jacob’s Ladder)
Height: 10-12”
Width: 1-2’
Bloom Color: Violet
Bloom Duration: Early-Late Summer
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial-Full
Lamium (Dead Nettles)
Height: 4-6”
Width: 15-18”
Bloom Color: Varies
Bloom Duration: Late Spring-Early Summer
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial
Note: Deer Resistant
Plumbago (Leadwort)
Height: 6-8”
Width: 18”
Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Duration: Early-Mid Fall
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial
Stachy’s Lamb’s Ear
Height: 4-6”
Width: 18-30”
Bloom Color: Light Purple
Bloom Duration: Summer
Water: Moderate Until Established
Sun: Partial to Full
Note: Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant
Teucrium (Germander)
Height: 2-3”
Width: 18-24”
Bloom Color: Pink, Purple
Bloom Duration: Late Spring-Summer
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial to Full
Trifolium repens (White Clover)
Height: 3-6”
Width: 12-18”
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Duration: Late Spring
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial to Full
Note: Aggressive Spreader
Vinca
Height: 8”
Width: 3”
Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Duration: Late Spring-Early Summer
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial to Full Sun
Zaushneria
(Humming Bird Trumpet)
Height: 4-6”
Width: 15-18”
Bloom Color: Orange
Bloom Duration: Mid-Late Summer
Water: Moderate
Sun: Partial to Full
Note: Deer Resistant, Attracts Hummingbirds