So what if the garden is not favored by the sun? With the right choice of plants, it is still possible to create a natural, casual and colorful forest-themed garden.

And the following more than 20 low-maintenance and perennial shade-tolerant plants are just perfect!

#1

玉簪

Hosta

Hosta is well-known for its easy growth, preference for shade, and ability to thrive year after year. It’s a 100% lazy person’s plant.

Not only are the leaf colors rich and diverse, but it also produces white or purple flowers in summer, adding a sense of linearity to the garden.
Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Flowering Period: Summer
Flower Color: White, Purple
Light: Full shade to partial sun
Soil: Can grow in almost any soil.

#2

铁筷子

Hellebores

People prefer to call it Christmas rose. Its petals are as thin as paper and very delicate.

The leaves are evergreen and grow slowly in clusters, making it an excellent ground cover plant. It flowers from late winter to early spring, from February to May. Hardiness zones: 5-9.

Flowering period: Late winter to early spring.

Flower colors: Grayish pink, brownish red, purple, etc.

Light requirements: Full shade to partial shade.

#3

蔓长春

Periwinkle

In the renowned Beth Chatto Gardens, which haven’t been watered for 30 years, the ground cover function is shouldered by the evergreen vine. (Click to view: How beautiful is the garden that hasn’t been watered for 30 years?) ！）

It is cold-resistant and can almost adapt to all kinds of environments, quickly covering every corner of the garden, and can produce charming cold-toned five-petal flowers year after year.
Cold hardiness zone: 4-9
Flowering period: March to April
Flower color: blue, light purple, purple, white
Light: full shade to full sun

#4

耧斗菜

Columbine

This divine flower, which is often overlooked due to its name, is a favorite of hummingbirds and bees and is an excellent nectar plant.

Flowers bloom in mid-spring, adding height and color to the lush, tree-filled garden.
Hardiness Zone: 3-9
Flowering Period: May-July
Flower Colors: Blue, orange, pink, purple, red, white, yellow, etc.
Light: Partial shade to full shade

#5

矾根

Coral Bells(Heuchera spp.)

God overturned the palette, and thus the colorful heuchera leaves came into being.

They grow on low mounds and in spring produce tall, bell-shaped flowers.

And in warm regions, Heuchera can remain beautiful all year round, adding charm to the garden throughout the seasons.

Hardiness zones: 4-9.

Flowering period: Spring – Autumn; all year round in warm regions.

Flower colors: Red, white, pink, orange.

Light requirements: Tolerates partial shade.

#6

荷包牡丹

Bleeding Heart

The flowers of the bleeding heart have a romantic appearance that seems to carry a story of its own, resembling a broken and wounded heart, which is why it is called “bleeding heart”.

It performs even more strikingly in a semi-shaded woodland environment.
Cold hardiness zones: 4-9
Flowering period: Late spring
Flower colors: Red, white, pink, orange
Light requirements: Tolerates semi-shade

#7

落新妇

Astilbe

Photo source: Yan Zhi
With a romantic and misty atmosphere, it has extremely sweet colors and textures. It can grow and reproduce year after year and is often used as a bride’s bouquet.
Cold hardiness zone: 3-8
Flowering period: Late spring
Flower colors: Red, white, pink, purple
Light: Tolerates partial shade to full shade

8

铃兰

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the valley is renowned for its charming, small, bell-shaped white flowers, which have a very strong fragrance and are often extracted for use in perfumes and aromatherapy.

Although it was a very precious potted flower in China, in some parts of the world, it has become an invasive plant because it is too easy to propagate.
Cold hardiness zone: 3-9
Flowering period: May-June
Flower color: White#9

玉竹

Solomon’s Seal

Light: Tolerates semi-shade

Perennial plants, always hidden in the deep shade of the forest, its small, jade-like flowers carry a poetic charm reminiscent of the “Rain Bell”, and the fruits that form after the flowers fade are also highly ornamental.
Cold hardiness zones: 3-9
Flowering period: May-June
Flower colors: White, pink
Light requirements: Partial shade to full shade

#10

毛地黄

Foxglove

Regulars of the garden.

It can self-sow year after year, which is very convenient.
Cold hardiness zone: 4-10
Flowering period: Spring
Flower colors: Pink, purple, white, red, yellow
Light: Full sun to partial shade

#11

金叶过路黄

Creeping Jenny

（lysimachia nummularia）

The delicate yellowish-green leaves of the Golden Creeping Jenny, which grow rapidly and take over the garden, give it its name. It is the most suitable ground cover for semi-shaded areas.
Hardiness Zone: 4-9
Flower Color: Yellow
Light: Full sun to partial shade

#12

金盏花

Calendula

Although calendulas perform better in full sun, they also do well in partial shade, making them a popular choice for shady gardens. Their sunny orange or yellow flowers can brighten up any space.

Hardiness zones: 9-11.

Flowering period: April to September.

Flower colors: yellow, orange, red, white, and pink.

Light requirements: full sun to partial shade.

#13

报春花

Primrose

Most native primroses grow in woodlands and bring a variety of rich colors.

Horticultural primroses come in a much wider range of colors, meeting the needs of all kinds of gardens.
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Flowering Period: Spring
Flower Colors: Red, Pink, Orange, Yellow, Blue, etc.
Lighting: Tolerates partial shade to full shade.

#14

心叶牛舌草

Siberian Bugloss

It is almost an upgraded shade-tolerant version of forget-me-not. The small blue flowers are very dreamy and delicate, and the leaves are equally unique. It is a frequent guest in various flower beds and shady gardens.
Hardiness Zone: 3-8
Flowering Period: April to May
Flower Color: Blue
Light: Partial to full shade

#15

更多耐阴植物

Others

白及Bletilla striata

蓝铃花Bluebells

二月兰Orychophragmus violaceus

紫露草Purple dew grass

蕨类植物Ferns

白鸟蚊帐草White Bird Mosquito Net Grass

紫苑Purple Aster

铁线莲

“撒马利亚乔”

Clematis “Samaria Joe”

部分球根

洋水仙“悄悄话”

Some Bulbs
Daffodil “Whispering”