There are many types of beautiful annuals that can color your garden with lovely blooms all season long. It can be a little trickier to find plants that will grow well, if you have a very shady yard but it is by no means, impossible. Many types of annuals require shade in order to thrive and others will tolerate moderate light well.
Check seed packets and plant tags to learn more about the light requirements of the plants you are considering. If a plant needs partial shade, then a space underneath a shrub or tree is a good option. Also, if you have an area that gets sun for only part of the day, a partial-shade annual should do quite well.
There are many popular shade annuals that you can try. Nasturtiums (Nasturtium officinale) do well in partial shade and offer multicolored flowers and attractive seedheads. Their spicy leaves and flowers will repel most insects and animals, while brightening the yard. Begonias (Begonia sp) add their own flair to the garden with attractive leaf patterns and beautiful, bright blossoms. The many species give the gardener a wide variety of colors to choose from. Pansies (Viola wittrockiana) thrive in partial-shade and moderate heat. If your yard gets quite warm, despite the shade, it may be best to plant these earlier in the year, to have lovely spring blossoms. Pansies come in so many different colors (white, purple, yellow, bicolors and more) that a variety will surely add vibrancy.
For deep shade, try planting wishbone flower (Torenia fournieri). It not only thrives in shade, but also in hot, humid conditions, making it a sure success in our climate. The flowers are usually purplish-blue but may also be white or pink. The wishbone gets its name because of its two prominent, curved stamens that look a lot like a wishbone. Impatienses (Impatiens wallerana) appreciate the cooler temperatures and indirect light that filters through the treetops. They can be the stars of a shade garden with their creeping, colorful flowers that liven up dark corners. In addition to shade, they also like moist soil; mulching can help keep them cool during the hot months.
By choosing varieties that thrive in shade, you can successfully have a shadowed garden that is colorful and vibrant!!
