Perennial Full Shade

Arriving early May

One of the most common native ferns, growing all over northern regions. Plants form a large, upright clump of big green fronds. In spring the unfurling fiddleheads are often harvested in the wild as a gourmet treat. Roots are spreading, and plants can form quite a large patch in time. Requires plenty of water through the summer, otherwise the foliage may become dormant. Cinnamon-brown fertile fronds push up from the centre of each clump in summer, and these remain attractive all winter long. Prune off dead foliage and fertile fronds in late winter. Deciduous.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 16"

• Width: 18"

Zone: 2

Trollius x Cultorum ‘Lemon Queen' is a well known and liked perennial, it blooms in late spring and early summer. This unique selection has semi-double flowers in a wonderful soft butter-yellow shade. Sometimes called Buttercups, these grow well in a sunny or part-shaded border.

 Shear plants back after blooming to encourage a flush of new leaves to last through the summer. Clumps may be easily divided in fall or early spring.

Light Requirement: Partial Shade to Full Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 20 - 24"

• Width: 16 - 18"

Zone: 4

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

A classic perennial that no garden should be without! An early season bloomer with delicate heart shaped blooms, these delicate flowers add an elegant element to any garden.

Plant in shade to part sun in a sheltered bed, and out of any strong wind

Light Requirement: Full Shade to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 24 - 36"

• Width: 12 - 24"

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

A classic perennial that no garden should be without! An early season bloomer with delicate heart shaped blooms, these delicate flowers add an elegant element to any garden.

Plant in shade to part sun in a sheltered bed, and out of any strong wind.

Light Requirement: Full Shade to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 24 - 36"

• Width: 12 - 24"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

The leaves emerge frosty blue with a bright yellow margin that lightens to creamy white during the summer.  It forms a medium sized mound topped with light lavender flowers in mid to late summer.

'Guacamole' Hosta is medium sized with rich coloured foliage, growing in a mound with broad leaves that are striated in texture. The 'Guacamole' Hosta is a relative of the 'Fragrant Bouquet' Hosta, and blooms in midsummer.

Light Requirement: Full hade to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 12 - 24"

• Width: 40 - 50"
  

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa. 

Lily of the Valley is easy and adaptable, this will even grow well in tubs or mixed containers. A favourite for growing as a ground-cover in shady areas, be sure to Protect from afternoon sun. Plants form a spreading clump of large green leaves, bearing short spikes of fragrant white bells in late spring. 

Takes a year or two to establish, then spreads quickly. May go dormant in summer.

Tolerant of poor soils, even dry shade, but prefers a rich, moist soil.

 CAUTION: Toxic if eaten.

CAUTION: Do not discard unwanted plants in any natural areas, as they will establish themselves and become invasive.

Light Requirement: Full to Part Shade

Flowering Season: Summer

Mature Size:

• Height: 6"
  
• Spread: 12"
  

Zone: 2

Empress Wu features huge dark green leaves with deep veins, measuring over 1½' wide and long. It forms a tall and wide clump with a strongly upright habit. Pale reddish-violet flowers bloom just above the foliage in early to midsummer. An exceptional focal point for your shade garden, it takes about 5 years to reach its mature size.

Light Requirement: Partial Shade to Full Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 36 - 48"

• Width: 60 -72"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Bright crimson plumes emerge in vertical spires during early summer, making it one of the earliest red blooms. Its foliage transitions from mahogany red in spring to a lush green by summer, making it a favored choice among enthusiasts for its vigorous growth and striking color.

Light Requirement: Part Shade to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 18 - 20"

• Width: 18 - 20"

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

A beautifully variegated large majestic hosta. Large, ovate leaves have green centers with brightly contrasting yellow margins. The margins are heavily rippled and give the leaves a lightly wavy overall effect. White flowers appear above the foliage in midsummer. A showy specimen for the shade!

Good for ground covers and underplanting for shrubs 

Light Requirement: Full Shade to Partial Sahde

Mature Size:

• Height: 2.5'

• Width: 4.5'

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Garden Astilbe are a popular choice for shady gardens, where they perform well if given a rich, moist soil and regular watering. This selection has long, feathery plumes of deep coral pink flowers, over a mound of elegant, lacy green leaves. Also thrives in tubs, or mixed containers. Excellent for cutting.

Fertilize in April and June.  Seed heads may be removed, or left on the plant for winter interest.

 Light Requirement: Full Shade to Part Shade

Height: 36 - 50"

Spread: 36"

Zone: 3

Photo and data courtesy of Aubin Nursery

'Lakeside Paisley' Hosta produces heart-shaped leaves with wide and wavy margins. The narrow, creamy white markings in the centre of the leaves shoot out from the leafstalk in a feathered pattern. The thick leaves make a perfect background for the light lavender flowers that bloom in midsummer. 

Light Requirement: Full Shade to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 20 - 30"

• Width: 24 - 36"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa

Light Requirement: Full Shade to Partial Shade

Height: 32 - 36" 

Width: 36 - 40" 

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa

'Komodo Dragon' Hosta forms a large mound, with dark blue-green leaves and shows a ruffled edge. In midsummer, 4 foot tall flowering stalks emerge bearing light lavender coloured, funnel shaped bloom.

Light Requirement: Full Shade to Partial Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 36"

• Width: 24 - 84" 

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa. 

Features dainty spikes of white  flowers, trumpet-shaped, blooming in midsummer. Attractive large round leaves are forest green in colour with a creamy white that keep throughout the season.

Light Requirement: Partial Sun to Full Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 18 - 24"

• Width: 24 - 36"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

 Elegant lacy leaves form a very dense and bushy clump. This dwarf plant does not demand the same space as the standard Goats beard, and is somewhat inclined to sulk in hot summer areas, so plant in a moist, peaty soil, or even at the waterside. Cut plants back in summer if they look untidy.

An excellent companion to summer-blooming shrub roses. Good for cutting, the flowers may also be dried by hanging upside down in a warm, dark room.

This Flowering ground cover has a clumping habit and is commonly used in borders and rock gardens.

Plants form a mound of deep greens to black leaves, bearing showy spikes of flowers in mid to late spring. Excellent for combining with spring-flowering bulbs. 

Performs well in pots or mixed containers. Easily divided in spring or early fall.

 Light Requirement: Full to part Shade

Flowering Season: Late Spring

Mature Size:

• Height: 6"
  
• Spread: 10"
  

Zone: 3B

Photos Courtesy of Aubin & Vanstone Nurseries

Like the popular ‘Empress Wu’, but with an attractive margin! Blue-green leaves have striking apple-green margins. Give the plant about 5 years to reach full maturity. Violet flowers.

Light Requirement: Partial Shade to Full Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 48 - 60"

• Width: 36 - 48"

Photos courtesy Proven Winners

Large blue leaves have a wavy yellow margin. In summer yellow margins turn to creamy white. Pale lavender flowers are held just above the foliage.

Light Requirement: Part Shade to Shade

Height: 2'8"

Width: 6'6"

Zone: 3

Photo and data courtesy of Proven Winners

The Northern Exposure coral bells are among the hardiest available. This clump-forming perennial forms a dense mound of colourful round leaves with spikes of bell-shaped flowers. Excellent for borders or edging.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Full Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 14"

• Width: 20"

Zone: 3

Photos and Data Courtesy of Vanstone Nursery

Large vase-shaped leaves form a beautiful mound of variegated foliage. Flower stems can reach between 5-6ft (150-180cm) and produce pale lavender blooms. 

For best growth results plant in moist well-drained soil and cut stems back after blooming to encourage regrowth. 

Light Requirement: Partial Sun to Full Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 24 - 36"

• Width: 24 - 36"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Full Shade

Height: 18 "

Width: 44"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa. 

Sometimes called Elephant Ears, this is a bold specimen perennial that needs a moist location. Plants form a clump of large, jagged-edged green leaves. Purplish black stems rise above in summer, bearing long spikes of bright-yellow daisy flowers. Superb for the back of the border, or at the waterside. An unusual centerpiece for a tub or large container. Both the flowers and leaves are great for cutting. 

Light Requirement: Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade

Height: 3 - 5'

Width: 2 - 4'

The Shadowland® 'Coast to Coast' Hosta is a stunning addition to any garden, known for its impressive size and vibrant color. This hosta forms a large, dense clump of thick, puckered leaves that boast a rich golden hue. As the morning sun bathes the plant, the gold coloring intensifies, creating a striking visual contrast. The leaves feature wavy edges, adding texture and elegance to its form. In midsummer, delicate pale violet flowers bloom, completing the plant's beauty. This hosta is perfect for those seeking a bold, eye-catching plant that offers both texture and color in the landscape.

Light Requirement: Full Shade to Partial Shade

Height: 30"

Width: 36"

Zone: 3

Photo and data courtesy of Proven Winners

The Northern Exposure coral bells are among the hardiest available. This clump-forming perennial forms a dense mound of colourful round leaves with spikes of bell-shaped flowers. Excellent for borders or edging.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Full Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 14"

• Width: 20"

Zone: 3

Photos and Data Courtesy of 

Light Requirement: Partial Sun to Full Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 

• Width: 

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa.

Light Requirement: Partial Sun to Full Shade

Mature Size:

• Height: 

• Width: 

Zone: 3

Wavy green leaves have white blazes in the center. One of the most popular Hostas, it's a beautiful variety to brighten up shady areas of the garden.

Light Requirement: Full Sun to Partial Sun

Mature Size:

• Height: 18 - 24"

• Width: 24 - 34"

Zone: 3

Photos courtesy of Van Noort Bulb Co. & Florissa