1. ASTER
You might think that asters are only great flowers for full sun. They don’t bloom as vibrantly in shady locations, but they will still produce and remain healthy.
Asters are cheerful flowers that produce colorful, daisy-like blooms. They do need well-draining, loamy soil and do best in planting zones three through eight. Take their size into account when deciding where to plant them as they can grow to be tall plants, some as high as four feet.
2. VIOLA
The first time I bought viola, I wasn’t savvy in gardening. In total ignorance, I planted these flowers in the brightest spot in my yard. Needless to say, they didn’t do very well.
Once I planted them in a shadier location of my home, they thrived and I had an abundance of flowers. If you need a shade-loving fall flower, don’t skip violas. They prefer well-drained soil that’s dense in nutrients and seem to grow best in planting zones three through eight.
3. BLACK-EYED SUSAN
Black-eyed Susan plants are typically known for needing full sun. However, they can grow in partial shade gardens.
Over time, the flowers might start to bend to reach sunlight. However, if you live in planting zones three through nine, this could be a good flower to experiment with in your shaded growing areas.
4. JAPANESE ANEMONES
When I see this plant, it makes me smile. Though they aren’t what some would consider a common flower. It could be a great choice for you.
Japanese anemone flowers grow best in planting zones three through seven. Though this flower can handle some sunlight, it needs part shade to avoid becoming too hot. It also needs well-draining soil to avoid becoming waterlogged which can eventually lead to its demise.
5. RUBELLA
Rubella is a unique plant that has dark green leaves. Stems protrude from the leaves and produce small dainty flowers that create colorful clusters. If you’d like this look in your shaded garden, ensure you meet the following conditions.
This is a hardy plant in zones seven and up. It needs consistently moist soil that’s well-draining and contains nutrients. This plant loves shade because too much sun can damage the color of its leaves. If you get these things right, rubella could be a great fit for a shady spot in your garden.
6. DIANTHUS
I’m a huge fan of dianthus. It can grow in the ground or in containers and can add great color to your garden. I actually planted it in containers around my firepit, and it is one of my favorite low-maintenance plants. If you’d like to try growing dianthus, understand that it grows best in planting zones three through nine.
It does best when given well-draining soil and partial shade. Though dianthus may not be a great plant for growing in heavy shade, if you have an area with dappled sunlight for approximately six hours per day, this plant might work for you.
7. CROTON
Croton is typically known as a full-sun plant with colorful foliage. Yet, if you choose a variety that has duller foliage color, it can survive and thrive in partial shade.
This plant would need to be moved indoors before the first frost as it can’t handle frost or freezes. Croton needs well-draining soil, but it must have a high nutrient content. This plant is an extremely heavy feeder and needs to be able to pull what it needs from the soil at any given time.
8. AUTUMN CROCUS
Autumn crocus has blooms which mildly resemble those of a buttercup or tulip. These flowers come in a variety of colors including purple flowers, white, yellow and pink flowers.
You can grow autumn crocuses where they’re provided partial shade and well-draining soil. These flowers might bloom less when provided less sunlight. However, they’re a great choice for planting zones four through eight.
9. SWEET ALYSSUM
Sweet alyssum is another plant that comes from deep green foliage. During bloom time the plant produces clusters of flowers that you can’t help but notice. They might be dainty but when blooming in harmony, they’re breathtaking.
If you’d like these show-stopping, shade tolerant flowers your shaded yard, it could work. They grow in well-draining soil and do best in planting zones five through nine. Typically, sweet alyssum grows best in full sun. However, it can still produce in partial shade.
10. BEAUTYBERRY
If you live in a warmer climate, you aren’t left out of berry producing plants. The beautyberry plant produces bright purple berries.
They are hardy in planting zones seven through eleven. These plants also need well-draining soil that’s high in nutrients and aerated. If you’d like to grow a berry producing plant around your property, this might be a good choice.
11. FLOWERING CABBAGE
Flowering cabbage may be one of the best plants to add color to your shaded growing location. They come in a variety of colors ranging from white to green to purple. These plants grow very well in containers.
If you’d like to incorporate this plant around your home, ensure you provide slightly acidic soil that’s well-draining. They need regular watering as the dirt needs to remain consistently moist to keep these plants happy and thriving. However, they’re a great fit for most gardens as they grow in planting zones two through eleven.
12. PANSIES
Pansies are one of my favorite low-maintenance flowers. If you have a shaded growing location, these showy flowers will provide color and life to this area.
These plants love shade, but they also enjoy well-draining soil that’s dense in nutrients. They’re hardy in planting zones seven through ten.
These plants love shade, but they also enjoy well-draining soil that’s dense in nutrients. They’re hardy in planting zones seven through ten.
14. MUMS
Chrysanthemums are the final fall, shade-loving plant on our list. These are traditional fall flowers with beautiful blooms and are great for adding fall color to your home.
Even better, if you choose the right variety, they’re perennials and will return each year. Mums like partial shade with indirect sunlight. They also need well-draining soil and consistent moisture. Take care of these flowers, and they should return for many years.
Hopefully this list inspires you to plant flowers in shade-filled spaces during the fall. Not every plant requires loads of sunlight to produce.
