Perennials for Shade Gardens

DESCRIPTION: Exotic, dark purple (nearly-black) double flowers, the small spurless flowers are pompom shaped and resemble a small dahlia; this plant doesn't like to be disturbed so try spreading seed instead of dividing. BOTANICAL NAME: Aquilegia x 'Black Barlow'OTHER NAMES: Clematis-flowered Columbine, var. stellataAVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 45-60 cmAVERAGE...

DESCRIPTION: Exotic, blue double flowers, the small spurless flowers are pompom shaped and resemble a small dahlia; this plant doesn't like to be disturbed so try spreading seed instead of dividing. BOTANICAL NAME: Aquilegia vulgaris 'Blue Barlow'OTHER NAMES: Clematis-flowered Columbine, var. stellataAVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 60...

DESCRIPTION: Beautiful wine-red double flowers on long, graceful stems, flowers are dahlia-like; foliage is also attractive as it emerges wine-tinged then eventually turns blue-green. BOTANICAL NAME: Aquilegia vulgaris 'Blue Barlow'OTHER NAMES: Clematis-flowered ColumbineAVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 75 cmAVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 45 cmSUN EXPOSURE: Full Sun to Full ShadeFLOWER COLOUR: RedFLOWERING...

DESCRIPTION: European Wild Ginger's glossy, textured, heart-shaped leaves remain forest green in colour throughout the season. The flowers are not ornamentally significant. BOTANICAL NAME: Asarum europaeum 'European Ginger, AVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 10 cmAVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 30 cmSUN EXPOSURE: Full shadeFLOWER COLOUR: BrownFLOWERING TIME: Late springFOLIAGE COLOUR: Deep greenCOLD HARDINESS: Zone 3 ( Should survive up to...

DESCRIPTION: Showy, velvety, upright, red flower spikes over divided, dark green and chocolate brown to reddish foliage; perfect in a shady spot with dappled light; prefers moisture so water regularly for abundant flowers and nice foliage. BOTANICAL NAME: Astibe 'Mighty Chocolate Cherry'OTHER NAMES: False Spirea, False Goat's...

DESCRIPTION: Lovely bright pink tipped plumes rising above glossy chocolate brown leaves that emerge coppery-orange in spring; perfect in a shady spot with dappled light; prefers moisture so water regularly for abundant flowers and nice foliage. BOTANICAL NAME: Astilbe 'Chocolate Shogun'OTHER NAMES: False Spirea, False Goat's Beard AVERAGE...

DESCRIPTION: NEW 2024 This variety produces bright, arching, showy light pink plumes, rising above deep green leaves; dense, upright form; perfect in a shady spot with dappled light; prefers moisture so water regularly for abundant flowers and nice foliage. BOTANICAL NAME: Astilbe aredsii 'Fireworks Pink'OTHER NAMES:...

DESCRIPTION: This variety produces bright, arching, showy white plumes, rising above deep green leaves; dense, upright form; perfect in a shady spot with dappled light; prefers moisture so water regularly for abundant flowers and nice foliage. BOTANICAL NAME: Astilbe aredsii 'Fireworks White'OTHER NAMES: False Spirea,...

DESCRIPTION: Ostrich Plume Astilbe has masses of beautiful plumes of pink flowers at the ends of the stems from late spring to early summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its ferny compound leaves remain emerald green...

DESCRIPTION: This variety produces showy purple plumes, rising above deep green leaves; dense, upright form; perfect in a shady spot with dappled light; prefers moisture so water regularly for abundant flowers and nice foliage. BOTANICAL NAME: Astilbe chinensis 'Taquetti' OTHER NAMES: Chinese Astilbe, False Spirea, False Goat's...

DESCRIPTION: This variety produces showy red plumes, rising above deep green leaves; dense, upright form; perfect in a shady spot with dappled light; prefers moisture so water regularly for abundant flowers and nice foliage. BOTANICAL NAME: Astilbe aredsii 'Red' OTHER NAMES: False Spirea, False Goat's BeardAVERAGE...

DESCRIPTION: Soft, showy dark purplish-red plumes, rising above glossy leaves; perfect in a shady spot with dappled light; prefers moisture so water regularly for abundant flowers and nice foliage. BOTANICAL NAME: Astilbe chinensis 'Visions in Red' PP11965 OTHER NAMES: False Spirea, False Goat's BeardAVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 30-60 cmAVERAGE...

DESCRIPTION: A truly hardy groundcover with special growing requirements; acidic, light sandy soil; has interesting fall color, and is extremely low growing. BOTANICAL NAME: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi OTHER NAMES: Beargrape, Rockberry, SandberryAVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 10-15 cmAVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 30-60 cmSUN EXPOSURE: Full sun to full shadeFLOWER COLOUR: Pink and white,...

DESCRIPTION: Large glossy, leathery, cabbage-like leaves turn burgundy late in the season; interesting clusters of pink flowers rise above foliage; perfect for shady areas, water regularly but don't over water, a great coarse texture. BOTANICAL NAME: Bergenia cordifolia 'Winterglut'OTHER NAMES: Giant Rockfoil, Largeleaf Saxifrage, PigsqueakAVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 50...

DESCRIPTION: Jack Frost Bugloss features airy cymes of sky blue flowers with yellow eyes at the ends of the stems from early to late spring. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive heart-shaped leaves remain silver in colour with showy emerald green variegation throughout...

DESCRIPTION: Lily-of-the-Valley features subtle spikes of lightly-scented soft pink bell-shaped flowers rising above the foliage from mid to late spring. Its pointy leaves remain green in colour throughout the season. BOTANICAL NAME: Convallaria majalis 'Rosea'AVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 20 cmAVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 60 cmSUN EXPOSURE: Partial shade to full shadeFLOWER COLOUR: Light pinkFLOWERING TIME: SpringFOLIAGE COLOUR: Deep greenCOLD...

DESCRIPTION: A vigorous variety with delicate and pedulous clusters of white flowers in late spring, over ferny gray-green foliage that is delicate and finely cut; a beautiful garden accent. BOTANICAL NAME: Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba'AVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 81 cmAVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 76 cmSUN EXPOSURE: Partial shade, Full ShadeFLOWER COLOUR: WhiteFLOWERING TIME: Early SpringFOLIAGE COLOUR: Light...

DESCRIPTION: NEW 2025 Heavily ruffled foliage develops stunning hues of orange, peach, gold, and scarlet red; spikes of ivory bells in late spring to early summer; amazing contrast to other plants; great versatility; keep soil moist in heat of summer BOTANICAL NAME: Heucherella 'Sweet Tea'OTHER...

DESCRIPTION: Patriot Hosta features dainty spikes of lavender bell-shaped flowers rising above the foliage in mid summer. Its attractive textured heart-shaped leaves remain greyish green in colour with distinctive white edges throughout the season. Slug Resistant. BOTANICAL NAME: Hosta fortunei 'Barbara Ann'AVERAGE HEIGHT: 50 cmAVERAGE SPREAD: 120 cmSUN EXPOSURE: Partial sun...

DESCRIPTION: Enormous bold, puckered blue-green leaves and spikes of pale lavender-white flowers; great impact plant for the garden when set against finer textured plants BOTANICAL NAME: Hosta x 'Big Daddy'AVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 100 cmAVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 125 cmSUN EXPOSURE: Partial sun to full shadeFLOWER COLOUR: WhiteFLOWERING TIME: SummerFOLIAGE COLOUR: BlueCOLD HARDINESS: Zone 3 ( Should survive up...