Annuals for Shade

Flowering annual plants bloom from spring to fall. They don’t overwinter, but the reward of low maintenance continuous color is worth the effort of planting out in May.

The bright, glowing colors of flowering annuals, mixed with foliage plants and grasses will create a tapestry of light and texture in the shade of trees or in the shadow of a neighboring building.

Prepare the soil for annuals as you would for a vegetable garden. The same steps apply. → See Growing Tips 18 Plan a Vegetable Garden.

Flowering annuals prefers colors
Browallia (Browallia speciosa)

Part to Full Shade

Steady  Moisture

 B, I, V, W
Flowering Tobacco (Nicotiana alata)

Sun to Part Shade

Average Moisture

 R, Y, G, W, P
Foxglove, Camelot series (Digitalis hybrid)

Part Shade

Average Moisture

 Y, V, W, P
Fuchsia (Fuchsia x hybrida)

Part to Full Shade

Steady Moisture

 R, I, V, W, P
Impatiens (Impatiens wallerana)

Part to Full Shade

Average Moisture

 R, O, V, W, P
Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)

Part to Full Shade

Average Moisture

 B, I, V, W, P
New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri)

Part to Full Shade

Steady Moisture

 R, O, V, W, P
Pansy, Viola (Viola spp.)

Sun to Part Shade

Average Moisture

 R, O, Y, B, I, V, W, P
Rieger Begonia (Begonia x hiemalis)

Sun to Part Shade

Average Moisture

 R, O, Y, W, P
Tuberous Begonia (Begonia x tuberhybrida)

Part to Full Shade

Average Moisture

 R, O, Y, W, P
Twinspur (Diascia hybrid)

Part Shade

Steady Moisture

 R, O, W, P
Wax Begonia (Begonia x semperflorens)

Sun to Part Shade

Average Moisture

 R, W, P
Wishbone Flower (Torenia hybrid)

Part to Full Shade

Average Moisture

 Y, V, W, P
Key: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, White, Pink
Foliage Annuals prefers colors
Bloodleaf (Iresine herbstii)

Part to Full Shade

Average Moisture

R, O, G, V, W, P

Multi
Joseph’s Coat (Alternanthera ficoidea)

Part to Full Shade

Average Moisture

R, O,  Y, G, V, P

Multi
Coleus (Solenostemon hybrids)

Part to Full Shade

Average Moisture

R, O, Y, G, V, P

Multi
Fancy‐leaved Caladium (Caladium bicolor)

Full Shade

Steady Moisture

R, O, G, V, W, P

Multi
Rex Begonia (Begonia rex hybrid)

Part to Full Shade

Average Moisture

R, O, G, V, P

Multi
Shamrock (Oxalis spp.)

Part to Full Shade

Average Moisture

 O, Y, G, V
Perilla (Perilla frutescens)

Part Shade

Average Moisture

R, G, V, P

Multi
Key: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, White, Pink
Annual Grasses prefers colors
Sedge (Carex spp.)

Sun to Part Shade

Steady Moisture

 O, Y, G, W
Ornamental Millet (Pennisetum spp.)

Sun to Part Shade

Average Moisture

 R, G, I, V, P
Key: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet, White, Pink

Keep It Simple

  • Combine contrasting colors for dramatic visual effect. Multi‐colored foliage plants will tie everything together! Include tall plants for architectural interest.
  • Plant sturdy, well‐grown young plants after the last frost in your area.
  • Space according to directions on the label. Plants should grow to touch each other to discourage weeds.
  • Mulch, then water with care throughout the season, as necessary. → See Growing Tips 6 Watering New Plantings

Great Combos

Plants in the combinations below are listed by height, low to high:

  • Sun/Part Shade: twinspur, flowering tobacco, perilla, ornamental millet
  • Part Shade: impatiens, coleus, foxglove, sedge
  • Shade: lobelia, wishbone flower, fancy-leaved caladium, Joseph's coat, sedge

Nifty Note

Reiger and tuberous begonias, as well as fancy-leaved caladiums, have tubers (fat, root-like structures) that can be lifted in the fall, dried, and stored over winter.

Resources

http://ag.umass.edu/resources/home-lawn-garden