Perfect Perennial Pairings for Spring Color in the Shade
Posted by Annie Algren on Apr 22nd 2025
Perfect Perennial Pairings for Spring Color in the Shade
As the chill of winter fades and the promise of spring begins to bloom, shaded areas of your garden can come alive with fresh color and vitality. While many gardens thrive in full sun, there’s no reason your shaded spots can’t be just as vibrant.
The key to a stunning spring garden in the shade lies in choosing the perfect perennial pairings that not only thrive in low-light conditions but also deliver a dazzling display of springtime color. If you are looking to brighten up a shady spot or create a lush, vibrant garden without the full sun, these early bloomers are the perfect addition. Let’s dive into some of the perfect perennial pairings to make your shaded spaces shine all season long!
Hellebore (Helleborus)
Light
Shade to Part Shade (0-4 hours of sun)
Attributes
Arching flowers and showy bracts above palmate evergreen foliage.
Growth Habit
Clumping
Soil Type
Loam
Bloom Color
White/ Yellow/ Red/ Pink/ Purple/ Green
Size
12-24” H x 12-24” W
Bloom Time
Early Spring to Late Spring
Use
Shady borders, spring beds, woodland gardens, or cottage gardens
Maintenance
Remove old foliage and apply compost in spring, provide plenty of water during the growing season
Benefits
Deer/Rabbit resistant, tolerates heavy shade, attracts pollinators
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Bleeding Heart (Dicentra)
Light
Shade to Part Shade (0-4 hours of sun)
Attributes
Hanging strands of heart shaped flowers on arching stems above soft, fern-like foliage
Growth Habit
Clumping
Soil Type
Loam, will tolerate clay/sand
Bloom Color
Pink/ Red/ White/ Purple
Size
24-36” H x 24-36” W
Bloom Time
Mid-Spring to Early Summer
Use
Woodland gardens, cottage gardens or as part of a perennial border among summer blooming plants
Maintenance
Divide every 2-5 years, trim back unsightly foliage before dormancy if desired
Benefits
Deer/Rabbit resistant, attracts hummingbirds
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Columbine (Aquilegia)
Light
Shade to Part Shade (0-4 hours of sun)
Attributes
Compact bushy habit with upward facing complex flowers and deeply cut green foliage
Growth Habit
Clumping
Soil Type
Sandy Loam
Bloom Color
Pink/ Red/ White/ Purple
Size
24-36” H x 18-24” W
Bloom Time
Early Spring to Late Summer
Use
Rock gardens, mixed borders, woodland gardens, rain gardens
Maintenance
Deadhead spent blooms to encourage flowering, cut back to basal foliage after booming
Benefits
Deer/Rabbit resistant, tolerates salt, attracts pollinators and hummingbirds
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