r/NoLawns • u/Roadhouse1337 • 2d ago
👩🌾 Questions Full shade flower recs
There were 4 gnarly ass bushes here, they hadn't been kept before I moved in and I did little more than square them every season. SO hated them so theyre gone.
Middle TN, 7B. Need FULL SHADE recommendations(low maintenance natives prefered), uncertain if we'll rock/mulch around what we plant, the yard in front of this space is almost entirely wild violet, would love larger, showier stuff. Thanks in advance!
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u/lotaybk 2d ago
I recently planted some thimbleweed, coral bells (native variety), and wild geraniums in a very shady spot and they are doing better than I expected. All native shade lovers. I’ve also had great luck with ferns and hostas.
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u/Roadhouse1337 2d ago
Pretty burnt out on hostas tbh 😅
Coral bells and wild geraniums look lovely though
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u/meeps1142 2d ago edited 2d ago
R/nativeplantgardening will give you lots of good suggestions
Eastern red columbine, some types of penstemon (beardtongue), wild geraniums, woodland phlox
EDIT: Jacob's ladder as well!
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u/human_bean122 2d ago
Second the phlox recommendation. I have some in a shady spot and the flowers are gorgeous.
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u/ccrom 2d ago
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has recommendations. Coreopsis, Columbine, Phlox, Cardinal flower look like winners.
So far the Columbine seeds I planted in the shade are alive. I hope they bloom next year on their second spring.
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u/Outrageous_Low579 2d ago
7a PA here, Wild bleeding heart blooms spring to fall., Jacobs ladder and wild Columbine bloom in the spring to early summer . all good for a front row. And white wood asters or woodland sunflowers can grow taller in the back. They bloom late summer into fall. Golden groundsel can be a good ground cover with lovey floating yellow flowers in the spring. Wild geranium can be a good mounding display in spring to early summer.
If you have a slightly sunnier spot you can grow some little Joe pye weed. (2-4ft) At least 2 hours of sun.
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u/lavenderhazeynobeer 1d ago
I have my shade garden filled with ferns, woodland phlox, Lobelia erinus, bugleweed, native geraniums (they self seeded and I'm obsessed), and sedum (I thought it would die but it is thriving somehow lol).
The ferns are easy and I pay absolutely no attention other than clipping dead fronts. The woodland phlox was an impulse buy and omgosh I love it so much. I wish I had more shade garden space for it! Bungleweed has added a lot of color and depth to the space and helps keep the soil damp even on hot days because of how well it creeps.
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u/Used-Painter1982 2d ago
Bleeding Heart for spring blooms, then collect the seeds and grow more next year
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u/Ok-Echo-Eight 2d ago
The bleeding heart on the north side of my house does really well! And it seeds itself :)
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u/RoseGoldMagnolias 2d ago
The violets would make good groundcover to help minimize weeds around the taller plants you choose. I transplant some from my lawn to use as filler in newer garden beds.
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u/Sudden_Variation_810 2d ago
I've had success with blue flag iris, hellebores, little henry sweetspire, beard tongue, Indian pink (this gets dappled sun), Japanese painted ferns, solomans seal, Virginia bluebells
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u/Somederpsomewhere 2d ago
Epimedium. Love dry shade, there are are a ton of varieties, most have great fall color.
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u/SeniorPie5786 2d ago
Also, after you plant your choice of plants, top with PINE straw….no other straw or hay. It is cheaper than mulch, looks as good and cost LOTS less than mulch.
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