Table of Contents
Hey there, garden enthusiasts! Are you struggling to find plants that can thrive in the shaded parts of your garden?
Shaded areas in the garden can often be a challenge for gardeners to work with, but with the right container plants, you can bring new life to these areas. Adding plants to these spaces not only adds natural beauty but also helps to create a peaceful and relaxing environment. These plants are perfect for adding a touch of freshness to your outdoor space and will thrive in low-light conditions.
So, whether you are looking for stunning blooms or colourful foliage, we have got you covered. Let’s take a look at the best container plants for shaded areas and turn those gloomy spots into lush oases!
1. Begonias
Begonias are a great choice if you want to add some colour to those dull and shadowy spots in your home or garden. They’ve been a popular choice for brightening up such spaces for a long time. These beauties make excellent shade-loving container plants with stunning foliage and colourful, eye-catching flowers. These tall container plants are known for their showy flowers that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours, including white, pink, red, orange, and yellow. The flowers are usually single or double and may have frilly or ruffled edges.
And the best part? These lovely blooms will start popping up in late spring and continue to bring your containers to life with their flowers until the first frost. This makes them ideal for low-maintenance gardens, especially traditional and informal gardens. So go ahead and brighten up those shady spots with some stunning begonias!
2. Coleus
Prepare to have your eyes dazzled because we have got a plant that’s bursting with colour – and it’s not just through its flowers! During summer, gardens are incomplete without Coleus – a plant known for its vibrant and diverse palette of leaf colours ranging from purple to chartreuse and stained glass patterns that add a bold and vibrant touch to any landscape. You can utilize upright forms of Coleus to add a thrilling element, mounding types to serve as a filler, or trailers to spill over the edges of a container, adding depth and texture to your garden.
These plants do much better in the shade than in full sunlight. However, if you put them in a pot located somewhere, they will receive morning sunlight and then shade throughout the rest of the day. You can achieve the optimum brightness in the leaves, and they look amazing.
3. Hostas
Looking for an easy-to-grow perennial that can last longer? Look no further than Hostas! These plants thrive in shady spots that other plants might struggle with, which makes them a perfect addition to your garden. In the summer, beautiful flowers with a rich fragrance will treat you. And if you want to grow them in containers, hostas will do great in damp and shady conditions.
One of the best things about growing hostas in containers is that they will adapt to fit the space you give them, so you don’t need to worry about getting a perfect size. And if you are worried about deer or rabbits snacking on your plants, just plant something less tasty for them to nibble on!
4. Ferns
Ferns grow very long fronds, sometimes reaching over one meter in length. The fronds start as a bright yellow-green colour, and as they mature, they turn into a rich green colour. These tall container plants can thrive in areas that are fully or partially shaded. They are perfect to be grown in containers as they provide lush green foliage all year round, and during the spring, they have a bonus of yellow foliage.
The Golden Shield Fern takes around 5 to 10 years to reach its full maturity. It can spread between 0.5 meters and 1 meter wide, with a height of around 1 meter, making it an impressive size for container gardening.
5. Astilbe
If you are looking for a way to bring some bright and vibrant colours to your shady corner, astilbes are the way to go! Astilbes are the perfect addition to any shaded garden, and not only do they look amazing, but they also attract a swarm of butterflies to your yard! When you grow them in tall containers, they produce clusters of gorgeous flowers that sit atop fern-like foliage, adding a touch of beauty to any corner of your garden.
You can choose from different varieties, ranging from pink to white to red. Depending on the variety, the flower clusters can grow anywhere from 30cm to 3/4 of a meter in size, and they can reach up to 1 meter in height.
6. Fuchsia
Let’s talk about Fuchsias! You can easily recognize them by their unique and charming drooping flowers that bloom all season long. They look stunning in hanging baskets, adding a touch of elegance and colour to your porch or balcony. But Fuchsias are not just limited to hanging baskets. They can also make a beautiful addition to mixed containers, where you can play around with complementary or contrasting colours.
Did you know there are about 100 species of Fuchsias? And the good news is that they are great at blooming even in shady conditions, so you don’t need to worry about finding the perfect spot for them. They will keep blooming all summer long! And if you live in a colder climate, you can bring them indoors to enjoy their beauty year-round.
7. Huechera – Coral Bells
Get ready to add some stunning beauty to your garden with Coral Bells! These perennials are a popular choice for gardens, but they can also thrive in containers in shady areas. Coral bells are incredibly resilient and stunning to look at. They can tolerate some sun and are drought-tolerant. The blooms may be small, but the foliage comes in an array of unique colours ranging from black-purple to peach to bright key lime.
People know that Coral bells attract hummingbirds and butterflies. These tall container plants get their name from their bell-shaped flowers and unique foliage. They are usually evergreen and thrive in partially shaded areas.
8. Impatience
Don’t underestimate the potential of pots and containers to be just as exciting as a full garden! Impatiens, also known as “touch-me-not,” is a versatile flowering plant with over 100 species to choose from. With colours ranging from white to purple, you can create a stunning mini-garden in full shade. These delicate-looking flowers have large, soft petals and are incredibly generous, blooming from spring until the beginning of frost. And the foliage is just as lovely as the flowers.
The pointed, shiny, dark green leaves have purple veins and grooves, adding even more visual interest. So, go ahead and add some colour and beauty to your shaded spaces with these charming little plants!
9. Camellia
Camellias are a great option if you want to add beauty to a sizable container. With their soft, round flowers and romantic appearance, they can transform even the darkest spots into small pockets of paradise. While you can grow camellias in full soil, in many cases, containers are the most practical option, as it allows for easier maintenance of the acidic soil pH required by these plants.
These tall container plants thrive in shady conditions, producing stunning large flowers with a wide range of colours to choose from. Camellias typically bloom in the winter or early spring, making them a popular choice for adding colour to gardens during the colder months.
10. Boxwood
If you want to grow plants in tall containers in the shade, boxwood shrubs are a great option. These evergreen shrubs have bold green leaves that look nice in the sun. They are also good for people who like shrubs and topiary. This shrub can grow up to 2 to 4 feet tall and wide. However, these tall container plants are best grown alone in their containers rather than mixed with other plants.
Strong sunlight can discolour and burn the leaves of boxwood shrubs if you grow them under sunny conditions. However, growing them in the shade is always advisable well and looks great.
11. Carex
Have you ever seen a plant that looks like grass but isn’t classified as one? Well, this one does! Carex is a special kind of grass that comes in different colours, from green to bronze to variegated. It’s an excellent option for growing in pots, especially in shady areas. Even if you are new to gardening, it’s easy to grow and take care of. When planting Carex in pots, make sure to choose a deep pot and use well-draining soil.
This tall container plant likes soil that doesn’t hold water, and it grows best in the shade. Overall, Carex is a unique and beautiful option for growing in pots, especially in shaded areas. It will add texture and interest to your balcony and gardens.
12. Hellebores
Hellebore is an underrated plant that is easy to grow and perfect for containers in full shade. It blooms during the winter months when flowers are scarce and has lovely leaves. What makes Hellebore special are its large and colourful flowers, which come in almost all the colours of the rainbow. They come in a wide variety of colours, ranging from pure white to deep pink and almost black shades.
Depending on the particular type, they can grow up to 1 to 3 feet tall and wide. These tall container plants are sturdy and easy to care for, making them great for growing in containers either alone or with other winter-blooming plants such as witch hazels and bulbs like crocuses and snowdrops.
13. Hydrangea
Are you looking to add a pop of colour to your patio or balcony? Hydrangeas may just be the perfect fit for you! One of the main things to keep in mind when growing hydrangeas in pots is their water needs. These beauties are thirsty plants, and they will need more water than if you plant them on the ground. When it comes to placement, hydrangeas prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, no matter where you live.
However, several compact varieties are perfect for small spaces! So, whether you have a tiny balcony or a spacious patio, you can add the beauty of hydrangeas to your outdoor space.
14. Japanese Forest Grass
Consider Japanese forest grass if you want to introduce an element of sophistication and texture to your garden. With its stunning foliage that comes in shades of gold, chartreuse, and green, this low-growing ornamental grass is sure to catch the eye of anyone who passes by. Don’t let its delicate appearance fool you; It’s slow-growing but can reach up to 18 inches in height and 24 inches in spread.
Japanese forest grass is just perfect for growing in containers, adding a touch of beauty to your patio or balcony. Whether you are using it as a ground cover or as a container plant, Japanese forest grass is sure to be a standout in your garden.
15. Brunnera
If you are looking for a lovely ground cover for your garden, you might want to consider Brunnera. This perennial plant has heart-shaped leaves with white variegation that are charming on their own, but it also produces tiny blue flowers in the spring that add a pop of colour to your garden. It’s a plant that will make your garden stand out!
Additionally, its silvery leaves are fuzzy and resistant to deer and rabbits. This tall container plant easily pairs well with other shade-loving plants like hosta, primrose, and bleeding heart, making it a great addition to any garden.
16. Fatsia Japonica
Fatsia japonica is a beautiful and versatile plant that can thrive in a tall container. Its unique foliage and attractive growth habit make it an excellent choice for adding height and texture to your container garden. One of the best things about this tall container plant is its adaptability to different growing conditions. It can grow in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil that is kept consistently moist. This makes it a great option for both indoor and outdoor container gardening.
Fatsia japonica is also relatively low-maintenance, making it an ideal choice for busy gardeners. It requires occasional pruning to keep its size in check and can benefit from regular fertilization during the growing season.
17. Bleeding Heart
Bleeding hearts are a magnificent option if you want perennial plants that blossom during springtime, but they do demand particular maintenance. These plants prefer moist, well-drained soil and cannot tolerate drought or soggy conditions, so it’s important to find the right watering schedule. If you plan to grow bleeding hearts in a container, make sure to choose a big pot that will give them plenty of space to spread out. These plants can grow up to 2-3 feet wide and tall, so they need adequate space to thrive.
With proper care and attention, these tall container plants can be a long-lasting and rewarding addition to your garden. So why not give them a try to enjoy their eye-catching blooms and delicate beauty year after year?
18. Toad Lily
Looking to add some unique and eye-catching fall blooms to your container garden? Toad lilies are stunning orchid-like flowers with speckles that bloom in the autumn season, and their lush foliage remains a mesmerizing sight even when not in bloom. To add to this, these tall container plants are pollinator-friendly, making them an excellent addition to any garden. Plant your toad lilies in a tall container close to your outdoor living space so you can enjoy their beauty up close. And don’t forget to snip a few stems for fresh floral arrangements!
Do keep in mind that these lovely plants are often sought after by deer and rabbits. Hence, taking measures to safeguard them from these garden pests is crucial. With a little care and attention, your toad lilies will bring joy and beauty to your garden for years to come!
Which Container Plant Would You Prefer?
There you have it, folks! A list of 18 container plants that can brighten up any shaded area in your garden.
There are plenty of gorgeous and colourful choices available, which means you have no reason not to infuse a bit of natural beauty into every nook and cranny of your outdoor area. Whether you opt for colourful foliage or stunning blooms, these plants are sure to impress.
So, what are you waiting for? Get your gardening gloves on, grab some containers, and start planting! With a little love and care, your shaded garden oasis is just a few steps away. Happy gardening, and don’t forget to share your beautiful creations with us!
