Below is a listing of popular shade-loving perennials that perform well in Zone 8

Name: Astilbe 'Visions' Botanical: Astilbe Height x Width: 14" H x 18" W Exposure: Shade Bloom Color: Dark Pink to Pinkish Purple Bloom Time: June to August Water: Moderate - provide adequate moisture during drought Features: Bronze green foliage contrasts wonderfully with the upright flowers. A strong performer in the South and an excellent cut flower. Companions: Hosta Lilies, Heucheras, Ferns, Helleborus, Lamium, Vinca Minor, Toad Lilies, Peonies, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Mahonias, Nandinas, Azaleas, Dogwoods, Redbud Trees, and other shade plants and trees.

Name: Bleeding Heart 'Luxuriant' Botanical: Dicentra eximia Height x Width: 18" H x 24" W Exposure: Shade Bloom Color: Red Bloom Time: Late Spring through Summer Water: Moderate - Provide moisture during drought Features: Masses of vivid-red blooms cover attractive mounds of lacy, blue-green delicate foliage during late spring thru summer. A wonderful plant that performs well in the South. Companions: Hosta Lilies, Heucheras, Ferns, Helleborus, Lamium, Vinca Minor, Toad Lilies, Peonies, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Mahonias, Nandinas, Azaleas, Dogwoods, Redbud Trees, and other shade plants and trees.

Name: Old Fashioned Bleeding Heart Botanical: Dicentra spectabilis Height x Width: 30"-36" H x 24" W Exposure: Shade Bloom Color: Pink or White Bloom Time: Spring into early Summer Water: Moderate - provide moisture during drought Features: Pink or white heart shaped flowers dangle in arching racemesthat emerge fromsoft, deeply cut, grey-green foliage in early Spring. A long-lived old time favorite that makes an excellent accent in the shade garden. Goes dormant in summer. Companions: Hosta Lilies, Heucheras, Ferns, Helleborus, Lamium, Vinca Minor, Toad Lilies, Peonies, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Mahonias, Nandinas, Azaleas, Dogwoods, Redbud Trees, and other shade plants and trees.

Name: Columbines Botanical: Aquilegia Height x Width: 12-24" H x 12-18" W Exposure: Shade or Afternoon Shade Bloom Color: Assorted Bloom Time: Spring into Summer Water: Low Features: Very unique brightly colored flowers rise above the clove-like clumps of delicate foliage in spring. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Companions: Hosta Lilies, Heucheras, Helleborus, Lamium, Vinca Minor, Toad Lilies, Peonies, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Mahonias, Nandinas, Azaleas, Dogwoods, Redbud Trees, and other shade plants and trees.

Name: Creeping Jenny Botanical: Lysimachia Height x Width: 2" H x 18"+ W Exposure: Sun or Shade Foliage Color: Bright Chartruese Bloom Time:   Water: Low Features: Outstanding, bright golden-green leaves on this matt-forming, fast growing evergreen. A Wilson Bros. Favorite! Companions: Useful as a groundcover or between stepping stones.

Name: Elephant Ears Botanical: Colocasia, Alocasia Height x Width: 3-5' H x 3-5' W Exposure: Shade or Partial Shade - some take Full Sun Foliage Color: Asoorted Bloom Time:   Water: Prefers moisture retentive soils but tolerates it dry Features: Huge tropical foliage resembling elephant ears is outstanding in the landscape. Some prefer moisture retentive soils and others will tolerate it dry. A must in every landscape! Companions: Yellow Flag Iris, Horsetail Grass, Bee Balms, Swamp Hibiscus, Calla Lilies, Swamp Sunflower, and other plants that prefer moisture retentive soils.

Name: Autumn Fern Botanical:   Height x Width: 18-30" H x 18-24" W Exposure: Shade or Afternoon Shade Foliage Color: Dark Green with Orange new growth Bloom Time:   Water: Most are drought tolerant Features: The young fronds of this evergreen fern are orange-copper colored and contrast nicely with the green mature foliage. Very adaptable and easily grown in a wide range of weel-drained soils. Companions: Hosta Lilies, Heucheras, Ferns, Helleborus, Bleeding Hearts, Lamium, Vinca Minor, Toad Lilies, Peonies, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Mahonias, Nandinas, Azaleas, Dogwoods, Redbud Trees, and other shade plants and trees.

Name: Fern 'Japanese Painted' Botanical: Athyrium Height x Width: 18-24" H x 18-24" W Exposure: Shade or Afternoon Shade Foliage Color: Soft Grey edged in Dark Green Bloom Time:   Water: Low Features: Soft, light greyish-white fronds contrast nicely with plants around it. Companions: Combines exceptionally well with Blue Hosta, Pink Astilbe, Heuchera Palace Purple, Oakleaf Hydrangea, and Vinca Minor as groundcover, as well as all other shade loving plants and trees.

Name: Tassel Fern Botanical:   Height x Width: 24" H x 24" W Exposure: Shade Foliage Color: Dark Green - evergreen Bloom Time:   Water: Low to moderate Features: Glossy dark green fronds are evergreen and form a coarse-textured, rounded rosette. Prehistoric perennial Fern that prefers rich loamy soil. Companions: Hosta Lilies, Heucheras, Ferns, Helleborus, Bleeding Hearts, Lamium, Vinca Minor, Toad Lilies, Peonies, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Mahonias, Nandinas, Azaleas, Dogwoods, Redbud Trees, and other shade plants and trees.

Name: Heucheras Botanical: Heuchera Height x Width: 12-18" H x 12-18" W Exposure: Shade or Afternoon Shade Bloom Color: More known for its colorful foliage! Bloom Time:   Water: Low once established Features: Heucheras are quickly gaining in popularity as they add outstanding, unique texture and color to the shady garden. Companions: All other shade perennials, shrubs, and trees.

Name: Hosta Lilies Botanical: Hosta Height x Width: 2-3' H x 2-3' W Exposure: Shade Foliage Color: Variegated, Blue, and Golden Bloom: White or Lavender in Spring or Summer Water: Low Features: The bold foliage, textures, and colors of Hosta Lilies make them a must in every shade garden in the South. Companions: Hosta Lilies, Heucheras, Ferns, Helleborus, Bleeding Hearts, Lamium, Vinca Minor, Toad Lilies, Peonies, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Mahonias, Nandinas, Azaleas, Dogwoods, Redbud Trees, and other shade plants and trees.

Name: Hosta Lily 'Sum and Substance' Botanical: Hosta Height x Width: 3' H x 3' W Exposure: Tolerates sun or shade well. Bloom Color: Lavender Bloom Time: Summer Water: Low Features: The most sun tolerant Hosta we know of. Huge leaves of lime green light up the garden. As well as in the shade garden we use this one alot under low windows in partially shaded foundation plantings. A Wilson Bros. Favorite! Companions: Ferns, Helleborus, Bleeding Hearts, Lamium, Vinca Minor, Toad Lilies, Peonies, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Mahonias, Nandinas, Azaleas, Dogowwods, Redbud Trees, and other shade plants and trees.

Name: Lamiums Botanical: Lamium Height x Width: 6-8" H x 8' W Exposure: Shade or Afternoon Shade Bloom Color: White, Pink, or Purple Bloom Time: Spring into Summer Water: Average Features: Outstanding silver-white foliage edged in green contrasts beautifully with the pink flowers and other plants nearby in the garden. Companions: Ferns, Hosta Lilies, Helleborus, Bleeding Hearts, Vinca Minor, Toad Lilies, Peonies, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Mahonias, Nandinas, Azaleas, Dogowwods, Redbud Trees, and other shade plants and trees.

Name: Lenton Rose Botanical: Helleborus orientalis Height x Width: 12-15" H x 12" W - spreads by seed Exposure: Shade Bloom Color: Assorted Bloom Time: February to May Water: Low Features: The beautiful nodding flowers are nestled among the foliage of this excellent filler in the shade garden. Companions: All other shade plants and trees.

Name: Lily of The Valley Botanical: Convallaria majalis Height x Width: 6'8" H x 12" W - spreading Exposure: Shade Bloom Color: White - fragrant Bloom Time: Spring Water: Average Features: Fragrant, dainty, white bell-shaped flowers followed by striking orange berries. Dark green oval shaped leaves emerge in spring and spread under large trees. Companions: Ferns, Hosta Lilies, Helleborus, Bleeding Hearts, Lamium, Vinca Minor, Toad Lilies, Peonies, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Mahonias, Nandinas, Azaleas, Dogowwods, Redbud Trees, and other shade plants and trees.

Name: Peonies Botanical: Paeonia Height x Width: 24-30" H x 18-24" W Exposure: Afternoon Shade s recommended in the South Bloom Color: Assorted Bloom Time: May-June Water: Average Features: The flowers of Peonies are unrivaled in beauty! Very large, single to double flowers, some fragrant, and some good for cutting, are produced atop sturdy stems that rise above dense dark green clumps of foliage. Companions: Ferns, Hosta Lilies, Lily of The Valley, Helleborus, Bleeding Hearts, Lamiastrum, Irish Moss, Vinca Minor, Toad Lilies, Oakleaf Hydrangeas, Mahonias, Nandinas, Azaleas, Dogowwods, Redbud Trees, and other shade plants and trees.

Name: Toad Lilies Botanical: Tricyrtis Height x Width: 18-24" H x 18-24" W Exposure: Shade or Afternoon Shade Bloom Color: Assorted Bloom Time: Fall Water: Average to moisture retentive soils Features: Curiously spotted, orchid-like flowers on graceful plants with arching stems. A wonderful addition to the shade garden. Companions: Other plants that prefer shade. Put this one close to the edge for easy viewing.

Name: Vinca Minor - Periwinkle Botanical: Vinca minor Height x Width: 2-4" H - Space 18-24" apart Exposure: Shade Bloom Color: Lilac Bloom Time: Spring Water: Low once established Features: Ground-hugging, trailing evergreen vine becomes covered in Spring with lilac periwinkle flowers. Useful as a groundcover in the shade perennial garden as Hostas will pop right thru it in Spring, shady foundation plantings, and under the canopy of trees. Companions: All shade loving perennials plants, shrub, and trees.

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