Top 25+ Best Shade Perennials That Are Low Maintenance and Easy to Grow

10) Epimedium

10) Epimedium, 11) Ferns, 12) Hellebore, 13) Foamflower, 14) Toad Lily, 15) Bletilla, 16) Siberian Bugloss, 17) Corydalis, 21) Trillium, 22) Jack-in-the-Pulpit, 25) Solomon’s Seal

These little plants are also known as fairy wings or bishop’s cap due to the adorable shape of their flowers, which appear in early spring.

They don’t like foot traffic, so plant them where they won’t be stepped on. They are one of the few ground cover plants that does fairly well in dry shade.

Varieties to try: Pink Champagne, Lilafee

11) Ferns

10) Epimedium, 11) Ferns, 12) Hellebore, 13) Foamflower, 14) Toad Lily, 15) Bletilla, 16) Siberian Bugloss, 17) Corydalis, 21) Trillium, 22) Jack-in-the-Pulpit, 25) Solomon’s Seal

Frothy-looking ferns are sturdier than they appear, popping up again after even the toughest winters. They prefer moist ground but are fairly drought-tolerant once established.

Varieties to try: Autumn, Japanese Painted

12) Hellebore

10) Epimedium, 11) Ferns, 12) Hellebore, 13) Foamflower, 14) Toad Lily, 15) Bletilla, 16) Siberian Bugloss, 17) Corydalis, 21) Trillium, 22) Jack-in-the-Pulpit, 25) Solomon’s Seal

These cold-tolerant plants produce unusual, long-lasting blooms in late winter or very early spring. Also known as Lenten rose because they bloom around the time of Lent, the foliage is evergreen.

Varieties to try: Wedding Party Confetti Cake, Wedding Party Childhood Sweetheart, Honeymoon Irish Luck

13) Foamflower

10) Epimedium, 11) Ferns, 12) Hellebore, 13) Foamflower, 14) Toad Lily, 15) Bletilla, 16) Siberian Bugloss, 17) Corydalis, 21) Trillium, 22) Jack-in-the-Pulpit, 25) Solomon’s Seal

Lobed foliage with red or purple veins make this plant unique. Also known as tiarella, this plant boasts floaty little flowers that resemble foam on long stems in late spring to early summer.

Varieties to try: Cutting Edge, Jade Peacock

14) Toad Lily

10) Epimedium, 11) Ferns, 12) Hellebore, 13) Foamflower, 14) Toad Lily, 15) Bletilla, 16) Siberian Bugloss, 17) Corydalis, 21) Trillium, 22) Jack-in-the-Pulpit, 25) Solomon’s Seal

The intricate flowers (spotted like a toad!) are the reason to grow these little gems. They bloom mid-to-late summer to fall in a variety of spotted colors ranging from white to lavender.

Varieties to try: Purple Beauty, Raspberry Mousse

15) Bletilla

10) Epimedium, 11) Ferns, 12) Hellebore, 13) Foamflower, 14) Toad Lily, 15) Bletilla, 16) Siberian Bugloss, 17) Corydalis, 21) Trillium, 22) Jack-in-the-Pulpit, 25) Solomon’s Seal

This exotic-looking flower, also known as ground orchid, appears in early spring in white, purple, and various shades of pink. Its blooms often last up to six weeks.

It’s an unusual landscape plant for warmer climates, or it can be overwintered indoors in containers.

Varieties to try: White Pearl, Kate

16) Siberian Bugloss

10) Epimedium, 11) Ferns, 12) Hellebore, 13) Foamflower, 14) Toad Lily, 15) Bletilla, 16) Siberian Bugloss, 17) Corydalis, 21) Trillium, 22) Jack-in-the-Pulpit, 25) Solomon’s Seal

This perennial with a funny name is grown for its striking foliage and graceful sprays of long-lasting, tiny blue flowers, which appear in spring. Also known as brunnera, it’s a hardy, low-maintenance plant.

Varieties to try: Jack Frost, Queen of Hearts

17) Corydalis

10) Epimedium, 11) Ferns, 12) Hellebore, 13) Foamflower, 14) Toad Lily, 15) Bletilla, 16) Siberian Bugloss, 17) Corydalis, 21) Trillium, 22) Jack-in-the-Pulpit, 25) Solomon’s Seal

Tubular lightly-scented spring flowers hang above finely-cut foliage. The plant is ideal for warm climates. Foliage may die back in summer and sprout again in fall.

Varieties to try: Purple Bird, Canary Feathers

21) Trillium

10) Epimedium, 11) Ferns, 12) Hellebore, 13) Foamflower, 14) Toad Lily, 15) Bletilla, 16) Siberian Bugloss, 17) Corydalis, 21) Trillium, 22) Jack-in-the-Pulpit, 25) Solomon’s Seal

The triangular shape and three leaves below the blooms of this striking native flower gives the plant its name. It's hardy, showy, and tolerates wet soil.

Varieties to try: White, Red

22) Jack-in-the-Pulpit

10) Epimedium, 11) Ferns, 12) Hellebore, 13) Foamflower, 14) Toad Lily, 15) Bletilla, 16) Siberian Bugloss, 17) Corydalis, 21) Trillium, 22) Jack-in-the-Pulpit, 25) Solomon’s Seal

This intriguing native perennial blooms in late spring. The flower spike is the “jack” while the hood is the “pulpit.”

Varieties to try: Crossing Over, Triphyllum

25) Solomon’s Seal

10) Epimedium, 11) Ferns, 12) Hellebore, 13) Foamflower, 14) Toad Lily, 15) Bletilla, 16) Siberian Bugloss, 17) Corydalis, 21) Trillium, 22) Jack-in-the-Pulpit, 25) Solomon’s Seal

This native perennial boasts a thick blanket of deep-green leaves that grow on upright red stems. Pendulous tuber-shaped flowers dangle from the stems in late spring and become bluish berries in the fall.

Varieties to try: Ruby Slippers, Fireworks

Post Related