Perennials for shady areas with long flowering periods

Japanese Anemone 'Wild Swan': an elegant bicoloured flowering

TheAnemone rupicola x hupehensis ‘Wild Swan’ is a recent cultivar valued for the beauty of its long flowering period. The flowers of this Japanese anemone appear intermittently from May until October, sometimes even into November! This early variety may seem quite simple, yet upon closer inspection, one can observe a lovely mauve hue as well as fine striations on the underside of its white flowers. This bluish colour beneath the petals adds a touch of originality. The flower stems of this very hardy anemone, approximately 50 cm tall, rise above a deciduous, lobed, dark green foliage. Ideally, plant this Japanese anemone in a border where you can admire the flowering from all angles.

In partial shade, you can combine the ‘Wild Swan’ anemone in a white garden with perennials that have similar growing conditions (cool, neutral or acidic soil, shaded exposure): the white bleeding heart with heart-shaped flowers, the enchanting Epimedium leptorrhizum, the variegated Solomon’s seal, and the Japanese spurge at the edge.

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Anemone rupicola x hupehensis ‘Wild Swan’

Begonia grandis evansiana: remarkable foliage and flowering

Originating from China, where it naturally grows in forests, the Begonia grandis evansiana is a very hardy plant that can withstand negative temperatures down to -15 °C. Also known as “Madame Evans’ Begonia”, this perennial has a bushy habit and produces tough, swollen stems that can reach 80 cm in height and 50 cm in width. This shade or partial shade perennial can quickly colonise areas with cool to moist, humus-bearing, non-calcareous soil, and it can therefore serve as a groundcover plant. The large heart-shaped green leaves reveal a pink underside with strongly coloured purple veins. Another attractive feature of this begonia is its beautiful flowering in pink clusters that lasts until the first frosts: from July to October!

The ‘Alba’ variety, on the other hand, develops lovely white flowers. Its fruits, in the form of bulblets, appear at the end of summer, allowing the plant to multiply and root into the soil. During winter, this begonia is in dormancy and shows no vegetation. It is only late in May that it will start to grow again.

At the edge of woodlands, pair Madame Evans’ Begonia with plants that enjoy cool soils: Hosta, Japanese Grass ‘Aureola’ with yellow-green foliage, Purple Heuchera ‘Plum Pudding’ for contrast, and Rodgersia aesculifolia ‘Irish Bronze’ in the background, showcasing its large white inflorescences in May-June.

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Begonia grandis evansiana

Persicaria runcinata ‘Needham's Form’: a long-lasting flowering.

Persicaria runcinata ‘Needhams Form’ is a perennial with many advantages, boasting excellent hardiness. Firstly, its summer flowering seems endless! This variety of knotweed blooms from July to November and bears small, well-rounded pink inflorescences. In regions with mild winters, it can even retain its uniquely shaped, finely cut foliage throughout the winter. Moreover, this knotweed is not invasive, despite its creeping habit. It forms a carpet about fifteen centimetres high within a few years, spreading nearly 40 cm wide. Finally, this persicaria tolerates all exposures and requires no maintenance.

The small stature of ‘Needhams Form’ is well-suited for planting in shady rockeries or on a wall. For companion plants, consider the low Sagina subulata, the Corydalis solida with purple-pink flowers, a creeping bugle, or the very low-growing Corsican mint.

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Persicaria runcinata ‘Needhams Form’

Helleborus niger (X) orientalis ‘Madame Lemonnier’: a captivating Christmas rose

The Hellebore ‘Madame Lemonnier’ is one of the long-flowering perennials. This remarkable hybrid variety of Hellebore brightens winter with its abundant flowering starting in November and lasting until April! Excellent for cut flowers, you can create stunning bouquets throughout the winter! Its single flowers, ranging from pink to purple depending on the temperature rise above the evergreen foliage, dark green, glossy, and palmate. This very hardy French cultivar should be planted in a sheltered spot away from wind and direct sunlight. However, once established, do not move it again.

This herbaceous perennial gradually forms a silhouette of 30 cm high and 50 cm wide, making it perfect for mixed borders, to flower at the base of bushes, or in pots. The Helleborus niger (X) orientalis ‘Madame Lemonnier’ can be accompanied by perennials with decorative foliage such as Heucheras (for example, the Heuchera ‘Fire Chief’), the Ivy ‘Goldchild’, or the Bergenia ‘Flirt’. Also consider winter bloomers: Cyclamen coum white and pink, Red Lungwort, and Snowdrop.

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Helleborus niger (X) orientalis ‘Madame Lemonnier’

Geranium (x) oxonianum ‘Katherine Adele’: a remarkable groundcover

Even though it is more floriferous in the sun, the hardy geranium ‘Katherine Adele’ grows well in both full sun and shade. For this plant, its flowering period is from May to September! The small, pale pink flowers with well-defined veins appear at the tips of the flower spikes, which stand about 40 cm above the ground. Another aesthetic advantage of this cultivar is its finely cut green foliage that is adorned with purple marbling. This excellent groundcover can spread its vegetation up to 80 cm wide. Additionally, be aware that this fertile geranium self-seeds abundantly. You will therefore have many spontaneous young plants that you can leave in place, transplant elsewhere, or give to family or friends.

With its spreading habit, Geranium (x) oxonianum ‘Katherine Adele’ is versatile and can be used in borders, slopes, rockeries, or pots. In the shade, pair this vigorous geranium with a saxifrage (Saxifraga fortunei ‘Gokka’, for example), the Caucasian forget-me-not with white flowers Brunnera macrophylla ‘Betty Bowring’ or with blue flowers Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’, or even with an Astrantia.

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Geranium (x) oxonianum ‘Katherine Adele’ (photo Wikipedia)

Heuchera 'Firefly': a vibrant aerial flowering

To add some vibrancy to a shady garden, the Heuchera ‘Pluie de Feu’ is a must! Indeed, the delicate stems bearing bright pink bell-shaped flowers bring cheerfulness to your outdoor space from May to August! This perennial, also known as “Painter’s Despair,” forms a rounded clump about 30 cm in diameter and 40 cm high when in flower. Often found in the flowering gardens of our grandmothers, this old variety is a reliable, robust, and generous choice. Its very fresh green foliage is semi-evergreen: it remains if winter temperatures are not too harsh.

Plant this hardy perennial alongside plants that prefer light shade: Tiarella (Tiarella ‘Appalachian Trail’ for example), Mountain Bluebell, Phlox divaricata ‘Chattahoochee’. Add a perennial with decorative foliage: a dwarf Hosta with variegated leaves or a Carex.

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Heuchera ‘Pluie de Feu’