Perfect Perennial Pairings for Summer Color in the Shade
Posted by Annie Algren on Jul 12th 2026
Perfect Perennial Pairings: Summer Color in the Shade
Who says you need sun-loving plants to enjoy a stunning garden all summer long? By now, the landscape is really taking shape and quickly becoming a canvas of color and texture. The longer days and warmer air welcomes activity in the garden, especially for insects and pollinators.
Let’s dive into a trifecta of perfect perennial pairings to brighten even the shadiest corner of your space and act as a haven for the buzzing pollinator population.
Cranesbill (Geranium)
Attributes
Fragrant, deeply lobed, dark green or bronze foliage and delicate flowers throughout the season
Growth Habit
Gentle spreader
Soil Type
Loam, will tolerate clay
Bloom Color
Pink, Blue, Red, Purple, White
Size
12-24” H x 12-24” W
Bloom Time
Late Spring to late Summer
Use
Groundcover, rock gardens, woodland gardens, or cottage gardens
Maintenance
Shear back to basal growth after the first flush of flowers to encourage more blooms
Benefits
Tolerates drought, deer & rabbit-resistant, forms a natural mulch, prevents erosion, long flowering period, attracts pollinators
Coral Bells (Heuchera)
Attributes
Sprays of delicate bell-shaped flowers above ruffled foliage ranging in color, often with striking venation
Growth Habit
Clumping
Soil Type
Loam, will tolerate a rage of soil types
Bloom Color
White, Pink, Purple
Size
12-24” H x 12-24” W
Bloom Time
Late Spring to Late Summer
Use
Woodland gardens, shady borders, showy groundcover
Maintenance
Deadhead to encourage continuous flowering, cut back in early Spring, divide every 3-5 years to maintain
Benefits
Deer & rabbit-resistant, wide array of foliage colors
False Goatsbeard (Astilbe)
Attributes
Herbaceous perennial, abundant blooms of airy plumes on rigid stems above dark green, purple, or bronze fern-like foliage
Growth Habit
Clumping
Soil Type
Loam, sand, or clay soil
Bloom Color
Red, Pink, Purple, White
Size
18-48” H x 18-36” W
Bloom Time
Late Spring to Mid-Summer
Use
Low borders, woodland gardens, massed as a groundcover
Maintenance
Remove spent flower spikes if desired, cut back to basal growth after flowering or in the Fall
Benefits
Deer & rabbit-resistant, attracts pollinators
If you would like assistance picking out perfect perennial pairings for Summer shade, feel free to stop in and ask! Otherwise, email us at hello@tonkadale.com - we're here to help!