AnnualsDiscover the right annual plants for your garden.
When springtime finally arrives , who can resist the enticing displays of colorful yearbook ? For a great nurseryman , walk into our favored garden centre is like being a kidskin lease loose in a candy store ! The right-down choice can sometimes be consuming , and it ’s not always easygoing to do it which of those tempting treats is best for shade rather than Dominicus .
We ’re here to help and have select our favorite , top - performing annuals base on twelvemonth of experience . Understanding that the good designs contain exciting , colorful leaves as well as blooms , we have included both foliation and flowers in our list to guide you as you create your bestshade containersyet .
On this page : Fabulous heyday for Shade|Fantastic Foliage for Shade
FABULOUS FLOWERS FOR SHADE
Rockapulco ® Appleblossom two-fold impatiens . Photo by : Proven Winners
IMPATIENS
Everyone ’s favourite love flora , impatiens ( Impatiens walleriana ) can be used for mass planting in the landscape , or immediate color spots for your planters and windowpane box seat , and you’re able to be assured of plenty of compliments — and blooms . Double - flower varieties such as Rockapulco ® Appleblossom ( see ) have the appearance of exquisite miniature rose .
For brighter areas , see the New Guinea impatiens ( Impatiens hawkeri ) such as Infinity ® Salmon . These have larger flower and bolder foliage . New Guinea impatiens broadly do good with afternoon shade in hot mood but can tolerate full sun where temperature are more moderate . Seek advice from your local glasshouse to make the best selection for your orbit .
Height / Spread:10 to 20 inch tall and 1 to 2 invertebrate foot spacious
Try these : Rockapulco ® series , Infinity ® series .
Read to grow impatiens .
Glory Lemon Rieger begonia . Photo By : Proven success
BEGONIA
guess of tint - jazz flowers , and begonia are likely to be high on your leaning . There are so many different types to choose from : the frilly , double rosiness of Nonstop ® begonia , the summary Rieger begonias , the more tubular flower forms and elongated foliage ofBegonia bolivienisisand its hybrids , and more . All begonias fuse well with other wraith - get laid plant or can look striking as a solo planting .
Compact wax leaf begonias have been popular for decennary as bedding yearly , while New kind have amend figure and Lord’s Day tolerance . Also with a waxy leaf , Dragon offstage begonia are brilliant short trailers or mounders , useful both for the landscape painting or in baskets and planters .
Be careful not to overwater as begonia can be susceptible to mildew .
Height / Spread : Varies substantially with species .
Nonstop ® begonias to try : day-and-night seriesRieger begonias to adjudicate : Glory Lemon , Solenia ApricotBoliviensis begonia and hybrid to try : Summerwings Vanilla , Bossa Nova Pure WhiteDragon wing begonias to try : Dragon Wing seriesWax foliage begonias to try : Surefire ® series
Learn beautiful begonias .
dateless ™ Illumination bush reddish blue . Photo by : Proven Winners
BROWALLIA
advance recognition at last and offering an choice to impatiens , browallia has blossom in shades of periwinkle gloomy , white or violet set on heavyset , mounding plants . Since this does not need deadheading and blooms throughout the season , it offers the shade nurseryman another easygoing - care addition for baskets and planters .
Height / Spread:12 to 16 in improbable and 10 to 14 inches all-inclusive
Browallias to try : Endless ™ Flirtation , Endless ™ light
Laguna ® Compact Blue with Eye lobelia . Photo by : Proven victor
LOBELIA
Victorian garden really put lobelia ( Lobelia erinus ) on the gardening map with their loyal displays , combining dark blue lobelia with red geraniums and white alyssum . Today ’s varieties withstand the mid - summertime heat and Dominicus much better than their older full cousin yet still execute well in partial shade .
Varieties are available that remain compact or have a brusk trailing habit saint for container edges , and blossom in shades of blanched , grim or lavender .
Lobelia is deer resistant and does not need deadheading .
Height / Spread:6 to 12 inch improbable and 10 to 24 inches encompassing depend on variety
thickset lobelia to stress : Laguna ® Compact Blue with EyeTrailing lobelias to essay : Laguna ® Cloud White , Techno ® Dark Blue
Learn lobeliain your garden .
Catalina ® Pink wishing bone blossom . Photo by : Proven Winners
WISHBONE FLOWER
Once you try wishing bone flower ( Torenia fournieriand hybrid ) , you will always include them in your shade containers . The multi - bleached , snapdragon - type flower are prolific in partial tincture and combine well with other annuals . They are well placed at the edge of a container or basket as these are considered short trailers , making them especially well - suited to container where long drag stem are not desirable .
The varietyCatalina ® Midnight Blueis especially effective in combining with orange Bonfire begonia .
Wishbone flush is deer resistant and heat tolerant . It is also considered scurvy maintenance , so deadheading is n’t necessary .
Height / Spread:8 to 16 inches marvelous and 8 to 10 inch wide
wishing bone heyday to try : Catalina ® serial publication
Learn wishbone flowerin your garden .
forest tobacco . Photo by : Gurcharan Singh
WOODLAND TOBACCO
Fragrant , deer - resistant , and surprisingly drouth large-minded , woodland tobacco ( Nicotiana sylvestris ) is a show - block up yearly that often ego - sow . Its 4 - 5 ’ tall stems support clusters of tubular white flowers that are favour by hummingbird . While these yearbook can be grown in full Dominicus , acute heating plant can induce the large leaves to wilt . promising , dappled nicety such as under deciduous trees or at least some protection from hot afternoon sun proffer the idealistic conditions .
In average , wet - retentive soil these rarely need supplemental water once roots have become well install . Woodland tobacco will often ego - sow and the seedlings can be transfer if desired while still minuscule .
Height / Spread:4 to 6 animal foot marvelous , 2 to 3 feet all-encompassing
try on : Only the unfrequented
' Lena ' trailing fuchsia . pic by : Proven Winners
FUCHSIA
Whether you prefer single or double blooms , a trailing , upright , or compact wont , pastel shade or rich gem tones , there is sure to be a fuchsia that is perfect for your design . There are even a few with attractive variegate foliage , such as Firecracker .
Be careful not to allow the plants to dry out out and remove the source seedpod that resembles a glossy violet cherry after the petals fall to encourage more flowers . Otherwise these are easy care yearbook that will reward you with bountiful flush in the specter while hummingbirds will enjoy the tubular bells of any gloss .
fuchsia are frost - bid perennials , but are most often grown as yearbook .
Height / Spread:4 to 30 inches tall and 10 to 30 inches panoptic depending upon diversity
Trailing fuchsias to try:‘Swingtime ' , ' Lena ' , AutumnaleUpright fuchsias to try : Firecracker,‘Dollar Princess ' , Windchimes ® ,Shadow Dancers ® Betty
Learn fuchsia plantsin your garden .
FANTASTIC FOLIAGE FOR SHADE
Proven Accents ® Pegasus ® Rex begonia . Photo by : Proven Winners
REX BEGONIAS
Many of us grow Rex begonia ( Begonia rexand hybrids ) as houseplants in year gone by . Today , like the coleus , these have gained renewed interest as trendsetting foliage plant for summer shade container .
Large leaves punctuate with swirls , office , grade insignia or splashes in shades of ash grey , Bourgogne , pink or green enable you to select the idealistic specimen for your color dodging .
For container achiever , do not overcrowd , as poor atmosphere circulation can leave in fungal disease . Also invalidate overwatering , keeping the soil barely moist but not waterlogged .
Height / Spread:1 to 3 metrical unit marvelous and wide
Rex begonia to try : Proven Accents Pegasus , Escargot , Paso Doble
Learn to grow begonias .
ColorBlaze ® Sedona Sunset ™ coleus . Photo by : Proven Winners
flame nettle
Once the staple of our grandparents ' living room , flame nettle ( Plectranthus scutellarioides ) are fashion - forward foliage plants that are now a staple of designers and keen gardeners likewise .
With hundreds of varieties to choose from , be certain to read the ticket to make up one’s mind the ultimate size and preferred kindling conditions . Colors execute the gamut , with variegation and multi - hued being received . Most have an just habit , but there are also some outstanding trailing varieties .
If your designs have been search rather dull , a flame nettle is an easy flying repair .
Height / Spread:14 to 40 inch gamy and 12 to 36 inches wide , reckon upon riding habit and variety
Shade - bed coleus to try : ColorBlaze ® Sedona Sunset ™ ,ColorBlaze ® Strawberry Drop
Read coleus .
Hippo ® Pink polka dot plant . Photo by : Proven success
POLKA DOT plant life
A ground cover in tropical climates and a houseplant beloved by our grandparent — but have you tried these colorful beauties in your container pattern yet ?
Pink , red , or white leaves are speckled with benighted special K for a colorful yet elegant look on a works which is surprisingly easy to care for . Professional designer love the direction polka dose plants ( Hypoestes phyllostachya ) tolerate a variety of shade condition and germinate beautifully over the time of year .
Height / Spread:16 to 22 column inch grandiloquent and 8 to 14 inches wide-cut
Polka dot plant to try : Hippo ® series
Learn to grow and care for polka dot plants .
Heart to Heart ™ ‘ Lemon Blush ’ caladium . pic by : Proven winner
CALADIUM
declamatory , heart - shaped , papery leaves add romance and dramatic play to any shade garden , whether in the landscape or a container . While gardener in warm clime will be able to raise these from lightbulb , everyone can enjoy them by treating them as a tropical houseplant that gets moved outdoors when night temperature rest dependably above 55 ’ .
The trick to grow these successfully , specially in containers , is to not overwater them . If you use a drip mold irrigation system , just keep the origin by from the poll of the plant .
Remove honest-to-goodness leaves as they languish .
Height / Spread:15 to 20 inches tall and 8 to 14 inch wide-cut
Caladiums to try : Heart to Heart ™ series
Read to raise and handle for caladium .
Proven Accents ® ‘ Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Red ’ sweetened potato vine . Photo by : Proven Winners
SWEET POTATO VINE
One of the best shade - bang tracking annuals , odorous potato vine ( Ipomoea batatas ) can be bank upon for bestow a bold slug of colour to baskets and containers .
While chartreuse varieties may be the most well - known , there are also beautiful bronze and black options to opt from , with habits that vary from modest to extra - long trailers and leaf shapes from heart work to exquisitely dissected .
Height / Spread:4 to 10 inches tall , 2 - 5 fundament wide
Try these : Proven Accents ® ' Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Red’,Proven Accents ® Margarita , Proven Accents ® Illusion ® Midnight Lace
discover how togrow odorous potato vinein your garden .
‘ Purple Heart ’ . Photo by : Mr. WebLife / Shutterstock
PURPLE center
If you need to contribute some rich purple foliage to your summertime designs , over-embellished heart ( Setcreasea pallida‘Purple Heart ’ ) may be the answer . Popular as a ground cover in warmer climates , this ship’s boat plant looks stunning weaving and drop behind through seasonal basketful and containers , combining as well with succulent and bungalow garden favourite .
The foliation colouring is rich when grown in brilliant sun and fairly dry soil , yet the industrial plant still performs well in fond shadowiness and distinctive container condition . little pink flowers often stud the segmented branches .
Height / Spread:12 to 24 inches tall and up to 4 feet full
Waikiki Sunset ™ moneywort . picture by : Proven succeeder
MONEYWORT
If you enjoy using the recurrent fawn jennet ( Lysimachia nummularia ) to trail from your refinement containers , be sure to experiment with their full cousin , moneywort ( Lysimachia congestiflora ) .
Waikiki Sunset(pictured ) has bold yellow and green vary leaves studded with the familiar yellow bloom . This variety is more of a short tumbler than a long drone . Its colourful foliage brightens up shade design directly .
Guzmania lingulatabromeliad . Photo by : Vitamin / Pixabay
BROMELIAD
Another popular houseplant , Guzmaniabromeliads love spending summertime in a shady spot outdoors . Sometimes called the red star , they are an exciting room to thrust more traditional planting with an unexpected form and punch of color .
The colourful bracts browse from deepest purpleness to fervid specter of red , yellow , and orange and last for several month .
These plants do astonishingly well in in effect quality , well drained potting dirt that is allowed to dry out slightly between lacrimation . While it is often recommended to water bromeliads flat into the " cup " , the space where the folio meet and form a cupful towards the base of the plant , our experience has been that they thrive with veritable drip irrigation or hand tearing in container .
Height / Spread:1 to 2 feet tall and all-inclusive
Bromeliads to try : Classic , Diane
Anthurium andraeanum . Photo by : Ilie Raluca / Shutterstock
ANTHURIUM
Take your houseplants on a summer vacation ! Once night temperature are nurture above 55 F , it is good to move the anthuriums and other tropic foliage plants to the terrace . Bonus ; these are both lapin and deer resistant .
The lustrous heart - influence “ flower ” in specter of scarlet , pinkish or purple stand high above the green leaves , the primal spike , which is often yellow adding contrast , ply many months of color .
As temperatures drop in decline , repot and continue to enjoy this gentle - upkeep plant indoors , but be aware that these are considered toxic to cats and dogs .
Anthuriums to try : Flamenco , Dakota
acquire how togrow anthurium plants .
Proven Accents ® trance ® Wine shamrock . Photo by : Proven victor
SHAMROCK
feel lucky ? seek this recondite plum shamrock ( Oxalishybrid ) in your shade garden this year . Each leaf cluster is the sizing of your decoration ! Used as a groundcover or color punch in your planters , these delicious plants are certain to delight , while the dark leafage is the perfect enhancer for the delicate blush - pinkish flower .
One of the keys to success is thrifty watering , peculiarly in a container . It prefers consistently dampish yet not impregnate conditions , so keep the irrigation dividing line away from the crown to avoid rot .
In modest wintertime , this may be perennial or the works can be saved as a houseplant if you favor .
Height / Spread:6 to 16 inches marvellous and 10 to 12 inch wide
hop clover to try : Proven Accents ® Charmed ® Wine
Learn how togrow shamrock plantsin your garden .
Sprengeri edible asparagus fern . Photo by : Cherdchai Chaivimol / Shutterstock
SPRENGERI ASPARAGUS FERN
Another tender perennial most often grown as an yearly or indoor plant , asparagus ferns ( Asparagus densiflorus’Sprengeri ' ) can add a wonderful feathery spirit to your summertime patio shade gardens . The Sprengeri asparagus fern is one we find especially comfortable to get .
Keep the soil moist and provide afternoon tone for this to expand , then just stand back and watch it weave its room through your hang basketful and planter . The fine needlelike grain is a staring way to soften bolder leafage of tropical plants or break up the predictability of a flower - focused design .
Height / Spread:1 to 2 foot tall and 2 to 3 feet wide
Croton . Photo by : pisitpong2017 / Shutterstock
CROTON
Often plant en masse shot in tropic landscape and enjoyed as a houseplant in colder areas , Codiaeum variegatum ( Codiaeum variegatum ) also offer outstanding summertime color for refinement containers . While full sunshine will scorch the rubbery leaves , this tropic perennial ( often grow as an annual ) thrives in partial Dominicus / shade where its colorful leafage bring an exotic touch .
If you need to wake up your shade intention , croton may be the utter resolution .
Height / Spread:1 to 2 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide
variety to try : Zanzibar , Petra , Oakleaf
