Best Perennials for Full Shade Gardens in New England

Perennial flowers are fabulous additions to New England gardens. As opposed to Annuals, which live only 1 season, perennials come back year after year, some for more than 10 or 15 years – and even a hundred years like peonies! When carefully selected, wave after wave of colorful blooms will be enjoyed in your Northeast garden from spring to fall. Reliable plants, they come back stronger and bigger when winter turns to spring, ready to start another spectacular show.

Gardening in full shade can be challenging, but various perennial plants are well-suited to these conditions, especially in the New England. Here are some of the best perennials for full-shade gardens in this region.

• Hostas: These are shade-loving classics that come in various sizes and colors, from deep greens to blue greens, some with variegated leaves. They produce tall flower spikes in the summer, adding another layer of interest.
• Ferns: Native ferns like the Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) or Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) thrive in the shady, woodsy conditions of New England. They provide interesting textures and shapes to the garden.
• Astilbe: With its fern-like foliage and fluffy, feathery flowers that come in a range of colors from whites to pinks and purples, Astilbe is a great choice for adding color to a shade garden.
• Bleeding Heart (Dicentra): This plant produces unique, heart-shaped flowers in spring, and it thrives in shade. ‘Luxuriant’ is a variety that continues blooming sporadically throughout the summer.
• Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum): This perennial offers arching stems with dangling, white flowers in the spring, followed by attractive berries and golden fall foliage.
• Hellebores: Also known as Lenten roses, these bloom in late winter to early spring, providing early color to your garden. They are deer resistant and drought-tolerant once established.
• Pulmonaria: Known as lungwort, it produces blue, pink, or white flowers in spring, and its silver-speckled foliage looks great all season.
• Heuchera: With their wide range of leaf colors from lime green to deep burgundy, Heucheras are perfect for adding a dash of color to shady spots.

Remember, even shade-loving plants typically need some light, particularly in the morning or filtered throughout the day. Too-dark conditions can lead to reduced flowering and weakened growth.