17 Fast-Growing Shade Plants That Will Effortlessly Fill Your Garden With Color

It is always amazing to see how quickly your perennials and annuals grow under the warm sun when summer kicks in. As there are so many low-maintenance flowering plants that thrive in the sun, it can be easy to forget about the shadier parts of your yard. But you don't need to forgo landscaping just because your garden has spots where the sun just doesn't reach. There are some amazing fast-growing shade plants that you can bring in to brighten up those darker corners. From classic blooms such as woodland phlox and bleeding hearts to plants with intriguing, textured foliage, like coleus and caladiums, there are so many great options for shade-loving plants. 

When picking your plant, have a think about the conditions you are working with. Some plants like deep shade, whereas others need partial or dappled shade. It may also be helpful to test your soil's pH levels, as this can provide insight into which plants will really thrive in your garden. Finally, it is good to consider your current plants and trees and how your new additions may impact them, and vice versa. If you are placing new plants under the shade of shrubs and trees, adding organic matter to the soil will help with competition, as it provides more nutrients. 

With their big, patterned leaves that make a dramatic statement in any yard, hostas are a favorite perennial for many. There are over 2000 cultivars of hostas, with some varieties loving shade more than others. One of the larger options for hostas is 'Empress Wu', which grows quickly and can thrive in full shade. For a smaller choice, consider 'Golden Tiara', which has a spread of 3 feet. The majority of hostas can reach their full size within three years and do well in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9.

Coral bells (Heuchera) fill your garden with colorful foliage and small, spiky blooms. There are many cultivars of coral bells to choose from, with different foliage and flower colors. 'Palace Purple' is a great option for partial shade, with its foliage and delicate flowers creating a striking contrast. For full shade, consider 'Berry Smoothie.' This cultivar has rich, textured leaves in shades of plum and purple and is known for its rapid growth. Colar bells thrive in zones 3 to 9 and flower from June well into the summer months. 

There is a range of cultivars of columbines (Aquilegia) to pick from, with varieties flowering in hues of blues, whites, pinks, yellows, and reds. Although they are fairly short-lived perennials, they grow and spread readily, covering your shade garden with color and beauty. Most varieties of columbines do well in partial shade, with the color of their flowers being affected if planted under full sun. You can grow columbines in zones 3 to 8. They need moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Mulching around them for moisture retention is recommended. 

With their iconic clusters of heart-shaped flowers, bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) bring charm and whimsy into your shade garden. They are tolerant of full and partial shade, growing happily in a range of environments. Bleeding hearts can grow up to 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide, often emerging and developing quickly in the springtime to herald the arrival of warmer months. Suitable for hardiness zones 3 to 9, bleeding hearts prefer moist, well-drained, rich soil. It will die back after flowering, but return the following year. 

Garden impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) have beautiful, classical blooms in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. Under the right conditions, impatiens grow rapidly and flower profusely from late spring until the first frost. As they are only winter hardy in zones 10 and 11, impatiens are typically used as annuals in beds, hanging baskets, and shade gardens. Impatiens can be planted in part and full shade and can grow up to 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide. Ensure you plant them in moist, well-drained soil that has been mixed with organic matter. 

The colorful foliage of coleus (Coleus scutellarioides) is a perfect choice to brighten up the shady corners in your garden. Usually grown as annuals, varieties of coleus come in a range of leaf shapes and colors. Most varieties do well in full or partial shade, from the 'Black Dragon' cultivar with its rich, deep leaves in shades of purple and black to the striking 'Coral Candy' coleus, which features stunning pink and brown spiked foliage. You can grow coleus from seed, starting them indoors before planting them out in moist, rich soil. 

Another exotic-looking plant with eye-catching leaves, caladiums grow quickly and create an attractive cover for shady areas. Their foliage comes in pinks, greens, reds, and whites, with borders and patterns creating contrast on each leaf. As they are only hardy in zones 9 and 10, you may want to grow caladiums as annuals. Most varieties of caladiums grow well in partial shade, only needing a few hours of direct sunlight a day, with too much sunlight causing their bright colors to fade. Keep the soil moist throughout the summer, but watch out for waterlogging, as caladiums can rot. 

With their bright, spiky flowers that bloom in spring and summer, astilbe (Astilbe japonica) is a staple shade plant for many gardeners. Hardy in zones 4 to 9, astilbes grow rapidly and can reach a height of 2 feet 6 inches. You can grow this perennial in full shade or partial shade, although full shade may affect its size. Astilbes thrive in rich, organic soil that is not too dry. When you first plant it in your yard, ensure that you water it regularly to help it settle in. Keep on top of the watering in hot weather. 

If you are looking for a bold, upright plant with striking foliage, consider bringing cane begonias into your yard. These tender perennials are winter hardy in zones 10 and 11 and can reach a height of 3 feet. They prefer partial shade and are found in colors of silver, green, pink, and purple. Many cultivars have interesting patterns on their leaves, with silver dots and stripes creating a fun appearance. If you choose to bring cane begonias into your yard, ensure that they are protected from frost and direct sunlight.

Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) does well in dappled or partial shade and produces fragrant white flowers in arching branches that cover the shrub in spring and summer. It can grow to a height of 8 feet and a width of 6 feet, making it a distinct addition to your shade garden. Virginia sweetspire tolerates a wide range of soil types, but moist, fertile soil is best for it. You can grow Virginia sweetspire in hardiness zones 5 to 9. If you decide to bring it into your yard, ensure you water it regularly. 

Glossy abelia (Abelia x grandiflora) is a flowering shrub that produces delicate white blooms that cover the foliage from spring until fall. It can grow to a spread of 6 feet and a height of 8 feet if it has the right conditions. Glossy abelia does well in partial shade and can be grown in hardiness zones 6 to 9. Although it is drought-tolerant, it can suffer frost damage during the winter months. To avoid this, plant it in a sheltered spot and take action to protect your plants from frost.

For an easy-to-grow shrub with interesting, bright blooms, consider adding hardy fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica) to your garden. Its iconic bell-shaped flowers can appear in a range of colors, from deep red to pastel purple. Fuchsia thrives in partial shade and will bloom from summer until the first frost, bringing color into your yard well into fall. You can grow fuchsia in hardiness zones 5 to 10, and once it has settled in, it is very low-maintenance. They may die back a little over winter, but it will usually start growing again in spring. 

Wishbone flower (Torenia fournieri) is a sweet, low-growing annual that blooms from June until the first frost. These flowers grow well in both full and partial shade and produce blooms in shades of purple, blue, and white. If you want to plant wishbone flowers in your yard to bring color into the shadier parts for the season, ensure that you are placing them somewhere with moist, well-drained soil. You can sow these flowers directly into your garden or start them off indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost. 

Found in woodlands all over eastern North America, Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are a fantastic native wildflower that thrives in both full and partial shade. You can grow Virginia bluebells in hardiness zones 3 to 8 in rich, well-drained soil that has decent moisture. These flowers emerge early in spring, appearing at first with purple leaves that turn green. In March and April, blue flowers will decorate the foliage. Virginia bluebells will die back in the summer after flowering but will come back with even more vigor when the next spring arrives.

Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata) is a shade-loving, spreading perennial that produces firework-like blooms in hues of purple and blue in April and May. You can plant woodland phlox in full or partial shade, and it can grow to around a foot in both height and width. Soils that have decent moisture retention and are rich in organic matter are preferable, and it can be helpful to mulch around the plants during the summer. The flowers on woodland phlox are very attractive to pollinators, bringing bees and butterflies into your garden. 

Cowslip primrose (Primula veris) brings bright yellow blooms into your yard in April and May, perfect for livening up shady paths and corners. It can grow in hardiness zones 3 to 8 and thrives in partial shade. Although this is a fairly small perennial with a spread of around half a foot, cowslip primrose grows quickly in the spring and can spread through self-seeding. You can also divide its clumps every three or four years to get more plants. If you bring cowslip primrose into your yard, keep the soil moist. 

Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) has bright green foliage and grows well in medium to full shade. Spreading to a width and height of 3 feet, lady fern brings texture and interest to a shade garden and can contrast nicely with darker foliage. You can grow lady fern in hardiness zones 3 to 7, and it needs moist soil with decent drainage. It is a very low-maintenance plant, and its spreading, clumping habit makes it a great choice for ground cover. If you bring lady fern into your yard, add some organic matter to the soil beforehand.