Planning a garden for a shaded area that can flourish with a limited amount of additional water is a special challenge. Plant selections are more limited than one deals with in other circumstances. Most of the following are Missouri natives.
Echinacea pallida pale purple coneflower Herbaceous perennial A relative of the sun-loving purple cone flower, the pale purple cone flower has the distinct advantage over its cousin of being able to produce flowers in the shade. The pinkish purple blossoms are born on stems reaching two to three feet in height in June. If flowers heads are allowed to go to seed, they will attract American goldfinches. Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Dry to medium Height: 2 - 3 feet
Polystichum acrostichoides Christmas fern Fern Christmas fern prefers medium moisture but can tolerate considerable drought. Fronds may die and turn brown but new ones will emerge when moisture returns. Evergreen fronds provide good winter interest for the landscape.
Sun: Part shade to full shade Water: Dry to medium Height: 1 - 2 feet
Eleutherococcus sieboldianus 'Variegatus' aralia Deciduous shrub Variegated aralia has brightly patterned five-fingered leaves providing dramatic contrast with other plants. Though the flowers are inconspicuous, this large shrub adds plenty of pizzazz. Sun: Part shade to full shade Water: Dry to medium Height: 6 - 8 feet
Epimedium x rubrum bishop's hat Herbaceous perennial Bishop’s hat prospers under shade trees, forming a green carpet of leaves which provide the added bonus of changing color over the progression of the seasons. As if that weren’t enough, the plants are covered with yellow and crimson flowers in early spring. Sun: Part shade to full shade Water: Dry to medium Height: 0.5 - 1 feet
Hypericum beanii St. John's wort Deciduous shrub The shrub, St. John’s wort, looks like a ray of sunshine in the shady garden when it is covered with golden flowers in July and August. It remains comparatively small, growing to three feet tall and wide. Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Height: 2 - 3 feet
Lamium galeobdolon yellow archangel Herbaceous perennial With variegated leaves to bring visual interest to a shaded area, yellow archangel displays plumes of yellow flowers in June. It has a reputation for spreading rapidly which can be very desirable in some locations. Sun: Part shade to full shade Water: Dry to medium Height: 1 - 2 feet
Liriope muscari lily turf Herbaceous perennial Liriope is a plant with leaves that look very much grass, but in early fall, it resembles large grape hyacinths. The clusters of lavender flowers progress to black seed heads which persist into winter. Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Medium Height: 1 - 1.5 feet
Physocarpus opulifolius ninebark Deciduous shrub Ninebark is a wonderful native, forming a large shrub or small tree with clusters of white flowers on arching branches in May and June. Additional benefits of using ninebark include providing food (berries) and cover for wildlife. Exfoliating bark reveals patches of red and brown, adding winter interest. Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Dry to medium Height: 5 - 8 feet
Rhus aromatica fragrant sumac Deciduous shrub Fragrant sumac is a three-season charmer. Little yellow flowers appear in April, followed by clusters of slightly fuzzy reddish berries which are eaten by wildlife. In fall the leaves turn a bright red. Sun: Full sun to part shade Water: Dry to medium Height: 2 - 6 feet
Pachysandra terminalis Japanese pachysandra Herbaceous perennial Although Japanese pachysandra prefers even moisture it will tolerate periods of drought and drier locations. It makes a nice evergreen groundcover for problem locations.
Sun: Part shade to full shade Water: Medium Height: 0.5 - 1 feet