Annuals for Shade
Flowering annual plants bloom from spring to fall. They don’t overwinter, but the reward of low maintenance continuous color is worth the effort of planting out in May.
The bright, glowing colors of flowering annuals, mixed with foliage plants and grasses will create a tapestry of light and texture in the shade of trees or in the shadow of a neighboring building.
Prepare the soil for annuals as you would for a vegetable garden. The same steps apply. → See Growing Tips 18 Plan a Vegetable Garden.
| Flowering annuals | prefers | colors |
|---|---|---|
| Browallia (Browallia speciosa) |
Part to Full Shade Steady Moisture |
B, I, V, W |
| Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana alata) |
Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
R, Y, G, W, P |
| Foxglove, Camelot series (Digitalis hybrid) |
Part Shade Average Moisture |
Y, V, W, P |
| Fuchsia (Fuchsia x hybrida) |
Part to Full Shade Steady Moisture |
R, I, V, W, P |
| Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana) |
Part to Full Shade Average Moisture |
R, O, V, W, P |
| Lobelia (Lobelia erinus) |
Part to Full Shade Average Moisture |
B, I, V, W, P |
| New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) |
Part to Full Shade Steady Moisture |
R, O, V, W, P |
| Pansy, Viola (Viola spp.) |
Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
R, O, Y, B, I, V, W, P |
| Rieger Begonia (Begonia x hiemalis) |
Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
R, O, Y, W, P |
| Tuberous Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida) |
Part to Full Shade Average Moisture |
R, O, Y, W, P |
| Twinspur (Diascia hybrid) |
Part Shade Steady Moisture |
R, O, W, P |
| Wax Begonia (Begonia x semperflorens) |
Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
R, W, P |
| Wishbone Flower (Torenia hybrid) |
Part to Full Shade Average Moisture |
Y, V, W, P |
| Key: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, White, Pink |
| Foliage Annuals | prefers | colors |
|---|---|---|
| Bloodleaf (Iresine herbstii) |
Part to Full Shade Average Moisture |
R, O, G, V, W, P Multi |
| Joseph’s Coat (Alternanthera ficoidea) |
Part to Full Shade Average Moisture |
R, O, Y, G, V, P Multi |
| Coleus (Solenostemon hybrids) |
Part to Full Shade Average Moisture |
R, O, Y, G, V, P Multi |
| Fancy‐leaved Caladium (Caladium bicolor) |
Full Shade Steady Moisture |
R, O, G, V, W, P Multi |
| Rex Begonia (Begonia rex hybrid) |
Part to Full Shade Average Moisture |
R, O, G, V, P Multi |
| Shamrock (Oxalis spp.) |
Part to Full Shade Average Moisture |
O, Y, G, V |
| Perilla (Perilla frutescens) |
Part Shade Average Moisture |
R, G, V, P Multi |
| Key: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, White, Pink |
| Annual Grasses | prefers | colors |
|---|---|---|
| Sedge (Carex spp.) |
Sun to Part Shade Steady Moisture |
O, Y, G, W |
| Ornamental Millet (Pennisetum spp.) |
Sun to Part Shade Average Moisture |
R, G, I, V, P |
| Key: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, White, Pink |
Keep It Simple
- Combine contrasting colors for dramatic visual effect. Multi‐colored foliage plants will tie everything together! Include tall plants for architectural interest.
- Plant sturdy, well‐grown young plants after the last frost in your area.
- Space according to directions on the label. Plants should grow to touch each other to discourage weeds.
- Mulch, then water with care throughout the season, as necessary. → See Growing Tips 6 Watering New Plantings
Great Combos
Plants in the combinations below are listed by height, low to high:
- Sun/Part Shade: twinspur, flowering tobacco, perilla, ornamental millet
- Part Shade: impatiens, coleus, foxglove, sedge
- Shade: lobelia, wishbone flower, fancy-leaved caladium, Joseph's coat, sedge
Nifty Note
Reiger and tuberous begonias, as well as fancy-leaved caladiums, have tubers (fat, root-like structures) that can be lifted in the fall, dried, and stored over winter.
