The Most Popular Perennials for Shade in Zone 4

Violet / Pansy

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 39 varieties. Small, expressive flowers bring early color and often seed into charming colonies.

Columbine

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 58 varieties. Nodding, spurred flowers bring intricate form to the lightly shaded spring garden.

Lenten Rose

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 148 varieties. Nodding flowers open in late winter above handsome, often evergreen foliage.

Forget-me-not

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 10 varieties. Clouds of tiny blue flowers soften spring edges and mingle easily with bulbs.

Bleeding Heart

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 21 varieties. Heart-shaped flowers hang from arching stems above finely divided spring foliage.

Barrenwort

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 86 varieties. Tough, spreading foliage and tiny spring flowers excel in dry shade.

Plantain Lily

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1130 varieties. Bold, sculptural leaves make shade feel lush even when little is flowering.

Coral Bells

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 178 varieties. Scalloped foliage supplies season-long color in shades few perennials can match.

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 131 varieties. From creeping mats to tall fragrant panicles, phlox fills several garden layers.

Siberian Bugloss

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 18 varieties. Silver-patterned leaves light up shade long after the tiny blue flowers finish.

Lilyturf

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 20 varieties. Strappy evergreen clumps define edges and tolerate the root competition beneath trees.

Goldenrod

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 17 varieties. Its representative is notable for being North American native and dry-spell tolerant.

Toad Lily

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 33 varieties. Orchid-like, speckled flowers appear in shade at the close of the season.

False Spirea

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 58 varieties. Feathery plumes brighten damp shade while divided foliage stays handsome afterward.

Turtlehead

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 6 varieties. Turtle-shaped flowers add late color to moist soil and streamside plantings.

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 39 varieties. Daisy flowers extend the border season and offer late forage for insects.

Baneberry

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 17 varieties. Tall, fragrant flower wands bring drama to the back of a shade border.

Virginia Bluebells

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 1 variety. Its representative is notable for being North American native and usually passed over by deer.

Lady Fern

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 35 varieties. Finely cut fronds, often silver or burgundy-tinted, illuminate dark corners.

Lungwort

Ranked by its most-saved matching variety; the full catalog includes 36 varieties. Spotted silver leaves follow color-changing spring flowers in cool shade.