Perfect Perennial Pairings for Fall Color in the Shade
Posted by Annie Algren on Aug 5th 2025
Perfect Perennial Pairings for Fall Color in the Shade
As the days grow shorter and the air turns cooler, a shaded garden can become a peaceful retreat filled with rich colors and textures. Fall doesn't have to mean saying goodbye to vibrant blooms, even in areas with limited sunlight. There are plenty of perennials that thrive in the shade and bloom beautifully in the cooler months, adding depth and interest to your garden as the seasons shift. Let’s explore three perfect perennial pairings that bring fall color and texture to those shady spots, offering a delightful mix of hues and textures that will keep your garden glowing well into autumn.
Turtlehead (Chelone)
Attributes
An herbaceous perennial with lush dark green foliage and late season spikes of snapdragon-like pink flowers
Growth Habit
Clumping, slow spreading
Soil Type
Loam, will tolerate clay and sand
Bloom Color
Pink/White
Size
24-36” H x 24-36” W
Bloom Time
Late Summer to Fall
Use
Great for adding a pop of color to shadier areas, woodland gardens, pollinator gardens, rain gardens, and pond or stream margins
Maintenance
Prune in early spring and divide every 3-5 years to maintiain shape
Benefits
Tolerates wet, resistant to deer and rabbit, attracts pollinators, great as a cut flower
Ragwort (Ligularia)
Attributes
An herbaceous perennial forming mounds of heart-shaped, dark green and purple leaves or serrated triangular leaves depending on species, and blooming large spikes of golden blooms
Growth Habit
Clumping, mounding
Soil Type
Loam
Bloom Color
Yellow/Orange
Size
12-36” H x 12-36” W
Bloom Time
Late-Spring to Early Summer
Use
An excellent plant for providing bright late season color in woodland gardens, stream and pond margins, and other moist, shady areas of the landscape
Maintenance
Remove spent flowers to encourage reblooming
Benefits
Tolerates wet, resistant to deer and rabbit, attracts pollinators, bold foliage
Toad lily (Tricyrtis)
Attributes
An herbaceous perennial sporting hairy, upright stems with dark green, lance-shaped leaves and speckled, orchid-like flowers atop
Growth Habit
Clumping, slowly spreading
Soil Type
Loam, Clay, Sand
Bloom Color
White/ Purple/ Pink/ Lavender
Size
24-36” H x 24-36” W
Bloom Time
Late Summer to Fall
Use
Woodland gardens, shady boarders
Maintenance
Prune back in late fall after blooming if desired. Divide every 2-3 years to maintain vigor and control spread.
Benefits
Heavy shade tolerant, deer resistant, attracts pollinators
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