With just a little planning, you can turn an unappealing, low-light area into a place that beckons you to come sit for a while. Of course you can’t grow sunflowers or tomatoes there, but you can grow lush ground covers with bright blooms and variegated foliage, and multi-textured ferns and lilies. Add a comfortable bench and a winding mulch-covered path and you’ve got a restful retreat. Here are a few plants you might want to include in your shady retreat.
Flax lily: This graceful and tender perennial adds a bright splash of white to a dark corner.
White or red turk’s cap: A good choice for dry or moist shade. Hummingbirds and butterflies love it.
Salvia coccinea: An easy care native that blooms (in white or red) in the shade. Reseeds freely.
Cast Iron plant: The large dark green strappy leaves of the Cast Iron plant add a tropical touch to a dry or moist shade garden.