6 Annual Plants for a Shady Location

We all have that one part of the garden that receives truly little sun. However, don’t despair because you do have choices when it comes to plants for a shady location. 

Why Choose Annual Plants for a Shady Location? 

When you visit your garden center you might be overlooking annuals because they don’t come back year after year. It may feel like you don’t get much bang for our buck when they perish during the first hard frost. However, if you have a shady location in your yard then annuals might be your perfect salvation.

6 Annuals for a Shade 

Below are a few popular annuals for shade. Each one thrives with little, or no care once planted. 

1. Impatiens 

This is a true garden classic. Impatiens love shade and thrive in spots where other plants fail. A petite plant, it produces an abundance of blossoms that are available in a rainbow of shades. Some of the blooms are even bicolor and swirls. The plants grow to a height of about 10 to 20 inches and will grow to a width of two feet. Keep the soil moist but not overly wet. 

2. Tuberous Begonia 

Do you have a shady patio or some other area that is screaming for a hanging basket? The tuberous begonia looks lovely cascading down from a suspended basket. You’ll find varieties available in yellow, pink, orange, and red. 

3. Browallia 

The browallia comes in white, violet, and cheerful periwinkle blue. It forms a mounding growth habit. Once established it thrives on neglect. You can grow the plants in the garden or position them in containers or baskets. Each plant grows to a height of about 16 inches and a width of 14 inches. 

4. Lobelia  (Lobelia erinus) 

The lobelia adds much needed color to shady spots. The blooms appear in light lavender or snow white. The plant stands about 12 inches tall and grows to a width of 24 inches. It is an ideal choice for a woodland garden because the deer will not graze on it. 

5. Wishbone Flower (Torenia fournieri) 

Many people have a hard time telling the wishbone flower apart from the snapdragon. It produces multi-colored booms that develop long trailers. This plant looks great in a hanging basket. It is highly deer resistant and tolerates heat well. The plant grows to a height of 16 inches and a width of 10 inches. 

6. Coleus

We would be remiss not adding the coleus to any list of annual plants for a shady location. It produces an abundance of lovely foliage that appears in shades of green, yellow, and burgundy. You can also find variegated varieties. You can plant the coleus right in the garden or containers. Some people like to group it with shade loving plants that bloom to add variance to the garden’s appearance. The plant grows to a height of two feet and width of two feet. 

After planting your annual plants for a shady location be sure to check out Humboldts Secret Supplies for all of your garden’s nutrient needs.