15 Beautiful Flowers That Grow Perfectly In Shade

When it comes to planning a garden and choosing desirable plants to put in it, shade can get sometimes a bad rap. That's because people tend to focus more on the amount of sunlight a certain patch of land will receive and how to optimize it. And while it goes without saying that sunshine indeed is a crucial ingredient in overall plant health, don't give up hope if your landscaping doesn't allow for much light. There are actually quite a few flowers that will group together perfectly without much help from the sun!

To that end, we at House Digest have rounded up the most stunning flowers among them so that you can plan and plant a vibrant, captivating shade garden. So without further ado, here are 15 beautiful flowers that grow perfectly in shade, and everything you need to know in order to cultivate them. Get your green thumb ready!

An annual that provides nonstop blooms all summer, begonias (scientific name begonia) are a longstanding favorite to use in window boxes, hanging baskets, and containers — but don't think that's where their talent ends. If you want to plant them in your shade garden, they'll still deliver that nonstop color and pair beautifully with other shady favorites like hostas. You can choose from varieties that mound, trail, or remain upright. They come in shades of yellow, white, orange, pink, and red, and their leaf texture changes drastically between varieties, per The Spruce.

Bloom Season: all summer and can be overwintered inside
USDA Growing Zone: 9 to 11

Growing Conditions: full sun to full shade

Soil Type: moist and well-draining

Size: varies between types

When you're looking for an annual that will give you nonstop blooms and add a burst of color to your shade garden, look no further than impatiens (scientific name iImpatiens walleriana). Available in shades of pink, purple, red, white, and yellow, they're a low-maintenance, cheerful flower, per The Spruce. Depending on the variety you choose, some impatiens have large blooms, while others are double-flowered or have more unique foliage. They look great in containers and in the ground, so you're not limited there. Make sure they get plenty of water during any droughts, and keep your eyes peeled for downy mildew, as it can wipe out your impatiens for the rest of the season.

Bloom Season: late spring through to first frost

USDA Growing Zone: 2 to 11

Growing Conditions: full to partial shade (though some varieties will tolerate more sun)

Soil Type: moist and well-draining with a layer of mulch

Size: varies between types

Like its name suggests, perennial bee balm (scientific name monarda) is beloved by pollinators. A member of the mint family, some know it better by the common name "bergamot." Available in shades of pink, red, lavender, and white, bee balm's blooms have a slightly scraggly, pom-pom appearance. Both its leaves and flowers have a wide range of uses in tea, medicinal rubs, potpourri, and even natural mosquito repellent, says Garden Design. Whether you want to incorporate bee balm in with your other herbs, use it in a cutting garden, or add it to containers, it should thrive in any of those locations — but it does grow quickly, so plan accordingly for its expansion.

Bloom Season: late spring to fall

USDA Growing Zone: 3 to 9

Growing Conditions: partial shade to sun

Soil Type: can tolerate most soil, but prefers well-draining and slightly acidic

Size: 10 inches to 4 feet

With flowers shaped like little bells, foxglove's (scientific name digitalis) unique appearance — and impressive height of almost 6 feet — makes it a wonderful statement piece for any garden. Most varieties are perennials (though they don't have a long lifespan) or biennials. They come in shades of pink, yellow, purple, white, and even bicolored and speckled. Depending on where you live, some varieties can tolerate more sunlight but most do well in partial to full shade. You'll want to make sure to add stakes for support if you choose a variety that grows especially tall, suggests Gardening Know How. A word of warning: foxglove is highly toxic to children and pets, so keep it far from their reach.

Bloom Season: late spring to early summer

USDA Growing Zone: 4 to 10

Growing Conditions: full shade to partial sun

Soil Type: moist, well-draining, and enriched with nutrients

Size: 2 to 6 feet, depending on variety

With cheerful yellow or orange blooms and a long history of medicinal uses, there's a lot to love about calendula (scientific name calendula officinalis). It's commonly known as pot marigold, but it is not the same plant as the traditional marigold. Grown as an annual, calendula performs best in cooler temperatures with partial shade. In fact, American Meadows says that it might stop blooming during the hottest days of summer, but begin again as the weather transitions to fall (as long as you provide consistent deadheading and watering). While it looks great in containers or in the ground, you may want to consider adding some to your vegetable garden because calendula helps draw aphids away from your veggies (via Gardening Know How).

Bloom Season: spring through fall

USDA Growing Zone: 2 to 11

Growing Conditions: partial shade to partial sun

Soil Type: well-draining and moist but not soggy

Size: up to 15 inches

With small, adorable clusters of brightly-colored flowers, primroses (scientific name primula vulgaris) are a popular choice for livening up any shade garden. A perennial that's available in shades of blue, red, pink, green, orange, yellow, and white, it's one of the earliest blooming spring flowers, according to Better Homes & Gardens. There are over 400 varieties of primrose, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding the perfect size and color to fit your garden. They're not picky or high-maintenance plants, which means they'll do well in containers, your garden bed, or even as an indoor plant. While the exact sunlight requirements depend on the variety you choose, most primrose perform best in partial to full shade, while some can tolerate a little bit more sunlight.

Bloom Season: spring (though some varieties can last until fall)

USDA Growing Zone: 2 to 8

Growing Conditions: full to partial shade

Soil Type: moist, well-draining

Size: varies based on type

A familiar favorite that pops up in garden centers during the spring and fall, pansies (scientific name viola tricolor var. hortensis) are known for their rainbow of colors, easy care, and face-like design on the petals. You can find these annuals in shades of yellow, purple, orange, red, white, burgundy, or multi-colored. Whether you want to plant pansies in your flower bed or containers, they'll fare well in either spot. According to The Old Farmer's Almanac, they actually prefer cooler weather and don't do well in the throes of summer's heat. This also makes them an ideal planting choice for any partial shade needs in your garden.

Bloom Season: spring through fall

USDA Growing Zone: 4 to 11

Growing Conditions: partial shade to sun

Soil Type: moist, well-draining

Size: 6 to 9 inches