10 Shade loving perennials for Woodland gardens

4/17/2024

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Perennial plants are those which grow during each growing season and die back in winter. There growing cycle means they add some much needed seasonal change to woodland gardens.

These deep rooted plants can form lush plant communities on otherwise difficult and shaded ground. Many perennials have attractive foliage and brightly coloured flowers bringing interest to the forest floor.

Not only are woodland garden perennials attractive to people they are also beneficial to wildlife. Perennials create dense pockets of vegetation and often provide plenty of nectar and pollen for beneficial insects.

Why not inject some extra life into your project, with our top 10 perennial plants for woodland gardens.

1. Hellebores

Native to Europe and Asia these shade loving perennials are perfect for woodland gardens. Not only are they accustomed to growing in dabbled shade they also flower early in the season. Flowering in mid February they open their beautiful blooms when little else is on show. Hellebores are perfect for situating along pathways or in a position so they can be enjoyed from the home.

2. Hostas

Hostas are vibrant and lush looking perennial plants which originally come from East Asia. Although Hostas do have attractive flowers they are more favoured for their large leaves. Their large, Oval shaped leaves can have striking colours including grey, blues and bright yellows. With a love for shady borders they make an absolute must for the woodland garden. During midsummer they sprout flower spikes with a cluster of bell shaped blooms.

3. Astilbe

Astilbe are attractive perennials favoured for their foliage but more so their vibrant flowers. The flowers range from white to pink and purple to red and bloom during the summer months. Flowers grow into feathery plumes of colour which make them extremely effective in panting designs. Astilbes prefer to grow in dappled shade making them an excellent candidate for woodland gardens.

4. Ostrich fern

The Ostrich fern is a perennial, woodland fern famous for its large and attractive leaf fronds. Being extremely widespread it is found across North America, Europe and Asia. This makes this fern extremely hardy and adaptable to a variety of growing conditions. Ostrich fern prefers to grow within cool and damp, shady borders making it very suitable for woodland gardens. These ferns can form dense growing communities making exceptional groundcover and understory planting.

5. Coral bells

Also known by its Latin name Heuchera, this low growing plant is favoured for its delicate flowers and vibrant foliage. Originating from America its foliage forms a low growing bushy cluster of foliage. Its leaves have interesting and brightly toned colourations including; pinks, purples, yellows and greens. During summer it throws up tall, thin flower stalks which erupt in small bell shaped flowers. Coral bells are extremely shade tolerant and create a great perennial groundcover to woodland borders.

6. Bleeding heart

Bleeding heart or 'Dicentra spectabilis' is a herbaceous perennial originally native to Asia and North America. This plant is well admired for its heart shaped blooms which almost look artificial. The flowers appear in spring or early summer depending upon seasonal temperatures. Having a tolerance for shady spots this plant is perfect for adding some wonder to woodland gardens.

7. Solomon seal

Also known by its Latin name Polygonatum this unusual plant has arching stems and bell shaped flowers. Native to the cool forests of the northern hemisphere this woodland plant is very resilient. Solomon seal sprouts every spring from rhizomes eventually spreading to form small colonies. This attractive plant is perfect for adding seasonal variation to the front of woodland borders.

8. Japanese Anemone

Japanese Anemones are delightful flowering perennials that provide welcome blooms to the end of the growing season. These plants form a dense thicket of a jagged dark green foliage making them an effective groundcover. The flowers are five lobed and come in shades of white and light pink. The flowers are raised up above the foliage on tall stems which dance on the breeze. Being shade tolerant the Japanese Anemone is the perfect perennial for a shady woodland border.

9. Lilly of the valley

Lilly of the valley (Convallaria majalis ) is a low growing perennial loved for its small fragrant flowers. The flowers are white and bell shaped suspended upon thin arching stems. Native to the temperate woodlands of Eurasia this perennial can tolerate shady borers and likes moist but well drained soil. The Lilly of the valley spreads via underground rhizomes and can spread to form colonies of attractive groundcover.

10. Japanese forest grass

Japanese forest grass is an ornamental grass well known for its busy, arching foliage. The foliage ranges from dark green to a radiant yellow with some varieties being variegated. During the fall, these grasses can display some exceptional autumn colour turning shades of orange and red. Native to the cool, damp forests of Japan this grass is resilient and shade tolerant. It is particularly effective for block planting ground covers in forest gardens.

Thank you for reading our article on 10 great woodland garden perennials! Below I will link to some of our other woodland garden articles you may find useful.

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The Author
Paul Nicolaides
BA (Hons) Dip

Paul Nicolaides has over 30 years of recreational gardening and 20 years of professional landscaping experience. He has worked for landscape contractors including design and build practices across London and the South East. In 2006 he qualified with a BA Hons degree and post graduate diploma in Landscape Architecture. In 2009 he founded Ecospaces an ecological landscaping practice which aims to improve social cohesion and reduce climate change through landscaping. In 2016 he founded Buckinghamshire Landscape Gardeners which designs and builds gardens across Buckinghamshire and the South East. This blog aims to provide easy problem solving information to its audience and encourage others to take up the joy of landscaping and gardening.