37 Best Perennials for Shade That Bloom all Summer

Want to grow stunning flowers and foliage plants in not so bright spots? Here are the best Perennials for Shade That Bloom All Summer.

Whether you prefer delicate flowers, bold foliage, or a combination of both, there are perennials that can meet your gardening needs. Read on to learn more about Perennials for Shade That Bloom all Summer.

Check out the Best Perennials with Orange Flowers here

Perennials for Shade That Bloom All Summer

1. Toad Lily

Botanical Name: Tricyrtis sp.

USDA Zones: 4-9

It is a shade-loving perennial with a unique appearance that sets it apart from other plants. It produces delicate, orchid-like flowers in shades of purple, pink, and white with speckled markings, which can add an exotic touch to your garden space.

2. Celandine Poppy

Botanical Name: Stylophorum diphyllum

USDA Zones: 4-9

Celandine Poppy is a low-maintenance plant that can add a splash of bright color to your garden. It blooms from late spring through early summer, producing bright yellow flowers with orange centers that can brighten up shady areas.

3. Meadowsweet

Botanical Name: Filipendula ulmaria

USDA Zones: 3-9

This is a tall, elegant plant that can add a touch of sophistication to your garden space. It blooms from early summer through mid-fall, producing clusters of fragrant, creamy-white flowers on tall stems, which can attract butterflies and other pollinators.

4. Leopard Plant

Botanical Name: Ligularia dentata

USDA Zones: 7-12

Leopard Plant is a striking shade-loving plant that can make a bold statement in your garden. It blooms from mid-summer to early fall, producing bright yellow, daisy-like flowers on tall stems.

5. Purple Profusion Spiderwort

Botanical Name: Tradescantia ‘Purple Profusion’

USDA Zones: 4-9

Spiderwort is a versatile shade-loving plant that can add a playful touch to your garden space. It blooms from late spring through fall, producing clusters of three-petaled flowers in shades of pink, purple, and blue, which can create a colorful display.

6. Siberian Bugloss

Botanical Name: Brunnera macrophylla

USDA Zones: 3-8

Siberian Bugloss is another shade-loving perennial that can add a soft, tranquil touch to your garden. It blooms from mid-spring through early summer, producing clusters of tiny blue or pink flowers.

7. Hardy Fuchsias

Botanical Name: Fuchsia sp.

USDA Zones: 6-9

Hardy Fuchsias are a group of shade-loving perennials that can add a touch of elegance to your garden space. They bloom from early summer through fall, producing delicate, bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and purple.

8. Bear’s Breeches

Botanical Name: Acanthus mollis

USDA Zones: 7-11

It is a bold and dramatic shade-loving perennial that can make a statement in your garden. It blooms from mid-summer to early fall, producing tall spikes of white or pink flowers with purple bracts that resemble a bear’s paw.

9. Siberian Campanula

Botanical Name: Campanula poscharskyana

USDA Zones: 3-9

It is a low-growing shade-loving perennial that can add a touch of charm to your garden space. It blooms from early summer through fall, producing clusters of tiny blue or purple flowers with white centers.

10. Yellow Fumitory

Botanical Name: Corydalis lutea

USDA Zones: 4-8

It is a delicate shade-loving perennial that can add a pop of color to your garden space. It blooms from mid-spring through early fall, producing clusters of small, bright yellow flowers that resemble tiny trumpets.

11. Georgia Blue

Botanical Name: Amsonia tabernaemontana

USDA Zones: 6-8

Georgia Blue is a shade-loving perennial that can add a cool, calming touch to your garden space. It blooms from late spring through early summer, producing clusters of light blue star-shaped flowers.

12. Garden Phlox

Botanical Name:  Phlox paniculata

USDA Zones: 4-8

It is a classic shade-loving perennial that can add a splash of color to your garden. It blooms from mid-summer through fall, producing clusters of fragrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, white, and red.

13. Green-and-Gold

Botanical Name: Chrysogonum virginianum

USDA Zones: 5-9

This perennial can add a touch of sunshine to your garden space. It blooms from mid-spring through early summer, producing clusters of bright yellow flowers with a brown center.

14. Stella De Oro

Botanical Name: Hemerocallis ‘Stella de Oro’

USDA Zones: 3-10

Stella De Oro is a popular shade-loving perennial that can add a bold, sunny touch to your garden. It blooms from early summer through fall, producing clusters of bright yellow trumpet-shaped flowers.

15. Mourning Widow

Botanical Name: Scabiosa atropurpurea

USDA Zones: 4-9

Mourning Widow is a perennial that can add a touch of drama to your garden space. It blooms from mid-summer to early fall, producing clusters of deep maroon or black flowers with a pincushion-like appearance.

16. Hydrangeas

Botanical Name: Hydrangea spp.

USDA Zones: 3-9

These are popular shade-loving perennials that can add a touch of elegance to your garden. They bloom from mid-summer through fall, producing large clusters of flowers in shades of pink, blue, white, and purple.

17. Coral Bells

Botanical Name: Heuchera spp.

USDA Zones: 4-9

These shade-loving perennials can add a splash of color to your garden space. They bloom from late spring through early summer, producing small clusters of bell-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, white, and green.

18. Indian Pink

Botanical Name: Spigelia marilandica

USDA Zones: 6-9

It is a type of perennial that can add a bold touch to your garden space. It blooms from mid-summer through early fall, producing clusters of bright red tubular flowers with a yellow center.

19. Hostas

Botanical Name: Hosta spp.

USDA Zones: 3-9

Hostas are classic shade-loving perennials that can add a lush, tropical feel to your garden. They bloom from mid-summer through fall, producing spikes of white or lavender flowers.

20. Russian Sage

Botanical Name: Perovskia atriplicifolia

USDA Zones: 5-9

This perennial can add a touch of silver to your garden space. It blooms from mid-summer through early fall, producing spikes of tiny lavender-blue flowers.

21. Barrenwort

Botanical Name: Epimedium grandiflorum

USDA Zones: 5-8

Barrenwort could be the ideal choice for those seeking a dependable ground cover with distinct flowers. This plant thrives in shady areas but can tolerate some sunlight.

22. Bellflower

Botanical Name: Campanula

USDA Zones: 4-8

Bellflower comes in various sizes and colors, such as blue, pink, and white, and is available in both tall and dwarf varieties. This plant boasts a lengthy blooming period, from June until autumn.

23. Bigroot Geranium

Botanical Name: Geranium macrorrhizum

USDA Zones: 3-8

Bigroot Geranium is a robust ground cover that features rhizomes and leaves with a distinct aroma and shape. Its delicate, magenta flowers bloom above the foliage in intermittent bursts.

24. Black Cohosh

Botanical Name: Actaea racemosa

USDA Zones: 3-8

Black Cohosh is a shade-loving perennial that can provide height to your garden in zones 3 to 8. It features attractive dark foliage, which produces delicate sprigs of tiny white flowers.

25. Bleeding Heart

Botanical Name: Lamprocapnos spectabilis

USDA Zones: 3-9

Bleeding Heart is a well-known perennial that typically grows to a height of two or three feet. Its distinctive heart-shaped flowers bloom in white, pink, and even red.

26. Columbine

Botanical Name: Aquilegia

USDA Zones: 3-9

Columbine flowers are an excellent choice for attracting pollinators to your shade garden. These plants produce uniquely shaped blooms that are available in a wide array of colors, including white, pink, red, yellow, and purple.

27. False Spirea

Botanical Name: Astilbe

USDA Zones: 2-8

False Spirea grows flowers in shades of white, pink, maroon, and lavender, making it a great addition to any garden. This plant grows well in full shade to full sun.

28. Foamflower

Botanical Name: Tiarella cordifolia

USDA Zones: 3-8

Foamflower is a unique plant that typically grows to a height of one to three feet. It features asymmetrical foliage that is predominantly green with red accents and produces delicate white blooms on spikes.

29. Foxglove

Botanical Name: Digitalis purpurea

USDA Zones: 4-9

Foxglove is primarily a full-sun perennial but can also thrive in shaded areas during hot weather. This plant is adaptable and can grow well in various growing conditions, but it requires well-drained soil to flourish.

30. Ground Orchid

Botanical Name: Bletilla striata

USDA Zones: 6-9

Ground Orchid typically grows to a height of one to two feet and is surprisingly easy to care for, despite being an orchid. It blooms in early summer and is highly resistant to various diseases.

31. Hardy Begonia

Botanical Name: Begonia grandis

USDA Zones: 6-9

The Hardy Begonia is a plant that can reach up to two feet in height. True to its name, this plant is hardy and requires minimal maintenance. It is characterized by its attractive dark green leaves and exquisite white or pink flowers.

32. Hellebore

Botanical Name: Helleborus

USDA Zones: 4-9

The Hellebore, also known as the Lenten Rose, is a robust plant that can endure drought and tolerate animals. It produces early blooms in various colors, such as white, pink, maroon, and even green.

33. Ligularia

Botanical Name: Ligularia

USDA Zones: 4-9

Ligularia can add height and character to your shade garden, growing from three to eight feet tall. With heart-shaped green leaves and striking yellow or orange flowers, this perennial is a standout.

34. Azure Blue Sage

Botanical Name: Salvia azurea

USDA Zones: 5-9

It has large, rounded, blue-purple flowers in the summer with tall, angular stems. This perennial is drought tolerant and can be used in a variety of garden settings, from meadows to woodland gardens.

Look at the Best Sage Varieties here

35. Anthurium

Botanical Name: Anthurium

USDA Zones: 11-12

The bright, glossy, heart-shaped flower spathes of anthuriums can range in color from white, green, and pink to red, orange, along with deep purple.

Look at some of the Fanciest Anthuriums You Can Grow here

36. Elephant Ear

Botanical Name: Colocasia

USDA Zones: 9-11

The plant has large, heart-shaped leaves that resemble the ears of an elephant, hence the name. The plant produces clusters of yellow flowers in the summertime. It is a popular ornamental plant in many tropical gardens.

37. Caladium

Botanical Name: Caladium

USDA Zones: 9-10

Caladiums are grown for their colorful foliage, often variegated with white, pink, red, and green. The flowers are small and inconspicuous but are surrounded by large, heart-shaped leaves, which are the main attraction of these plants.

Watch this video for more information