Beside hostas, which grow quite well here in NC, what shade plants do you love? Since you are also mid-South gardeners, what grows well for you? I have several very large willow oaks, so the front of the house stays pretty shaded. I would like more variety of plants, but ones without the need for constant care. Perennials are preferred, but I am open to all suggestions. Can you help?

My azaleas seem to be doing great in the darker ends of the house. I have over 20 that are bushing well from propigation 2 years ago.
I still have about 5ish more left over to plant still. I can save one for ya this spring... they fit fine in a 1.5 gal container right now. I have coral pink and Christmas cheer (red) they fill the whole plant with blooms. They get to about 3 ft wide, 5 high..

Thanks Gabe, I do have azaleas and rhodos. I completely forgot about the one in the shade in front of my house. Duh! I could plant a couple more in the redone garden space I am building over the winter. Thanks for posting and reminding me!

No problem. Azeleas are my fav. I'd probably name a daughter that one day

My holly seems to do great and another berry bush I have

My hollies do well with at least partial sun. This area will have parts that are in total shade. That is what I need to find plants for.

Depending on your soil moisture, I would recommend the following plants.
Actaea pachypoda (Doll's Eyes)
Anemone quinquefolia (Wood Anemone)
Aquilegia canadensis (Columbine)
Arisaema triphyllum (Jack-in-the-Pulpit)
Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger)
Campanula americana (Tall Bellflower)
Chasmanthium latifolium (River Oats)
Cimicifuga racemosa (Black Cohosh)
Eupatorium coelestinum (Mistflower)
Iris cristata (Dwarf Crested Iris)
Mertensia virginica (Virginia Bluebells)
Phlox divaricata (Wild Blue Phlox)
Podophyllum peltatum (May Apple)
Polygonatum biflorum (Solomon's Seal)
Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot)
Smilacina racemosa (Solomon's Plume)
Solidago flexicaulis (Zig Zag Goldenrod)
Trillium sp.
Uvularia grandiflora (Bellwort)

Thanks for the list. I have some cristata. I keep forgetting that Columbine can be used in shade!

Do you have good luck with Trillum? I love them. I grew up in Michigan where it is against the law to pick or disturb the wild ones. They may like sandier soil than what I have though.

I will have to see if any of these are carried locally. Plant Delight's probably has many of them and they are just over in Raleigh.

You can find a Trillium species to fit just about any situation in the eastern US. Sweet Betsy (Trillium cuneatum) should do well for you since it is native to the southeastern US. It likes rich, well drained soils and is available commercially. I just moved in July. I don't have any yet, but it's just a matter of time. LOL.

http://www.missouribotanicalga...

Hydrangeas!
Elephant ears (Colocasia esculenta.)

My neighbor has glorious oak leaf hydrangeas but they grow in sun. Will the others do better in shade? Otherwise, I will have some space in an area with morning sun.

Lestv said:My neighbor has glorious oak leaf hydrangeas but they grow in sun. Will the others do better in shade? Otherwise, I will have some space in an area with morning sun.

They will do just fine in shade. I find them growing in lovely colonies in deep hardwood coves around here.

That is great news! Thanks!!!