Gardens of The Blue Ridge Inc

Wildflowers For Shade to Semi-Shade

As you browse through the web pages on our website you will find something new. We are adding pictures of the root system of our bareroot plants. Notice we have measurements on each picture to give you an idea of how large the root system and what it looks like. We thought you might find this interesting and it will give you an idea of what you will be receiving. Of course keep in mind that root sizes will vary but this will give you a basic idea. Also you can click on the picture to give you a more close up and detailed view. Please be patient as it will take us some time to get these pictures posted to the website.

Actaea pachypoda  Dolls Eye, White Baneberry

A great plant for the shade garden, has light to dark green foliage that reaches 18-30 inches high, have seen some taller in ideal locations. The cluster of white blooms will stand about 12 inches above the foliage and normally has one bloom per stalk, but each plant can have several stalks when they are fully mature. Then it produces a white seed pod that has a black dot on it which resembles a dolls eye, back in the day they say the ladies attached these to their Dolls hence the common name.

Shade, Rich Soil, Spring, 18-30" Tall, Zones 4-8                                                           

Actaea racemosa    Black Cohosh

A great plant for the back of your shade garden. Has a tall white, slightly fragrant, spike flower in the late summer and when mature will reach about 4-6 feet tall with the foliage about 3-4 feet tall. Give it plenty of room when planting they will have about 3-4 foot spread when mature. These will tolerate some sun in cooler climates, morning sun is best. Needs to be in rich soil, moist but well drained. It is much sought after in the medicinal field for its medicinal properties.
                                                          

Shade to Semi Shade, Rich Soil, Summer, 3-5 ft Tall, Zones 3-9.

Allium tricocum  Woodleek, Ramps

Two leaves emerge from the ground very early in the spring, one of the first things to appear in the woods, bearing white flowers. This plant is well known for its great tasting root, resembling the taste of garlic or onions. Many places have Ramp Festivals to celebrate the Spring season. these are also served in many of the finer restaurants. Must have a wet location, often found along creeks and springs, will spread slowly in time.

Shade, Rich Moist Soil, Spring, 6-12 in Tall, Zones 4-9

Amianthium muscaetoxicum    Fly Poison

The basal foliage on this plant is grass like except wider than grass. Has a showy white flower in the summer, really stands out in a shade garden. It will tolerate some sun in cooler climates. Does very well in dry acid soils, seen in pine thickets where it is dry and acid.

Shade to Semi, Rich Soil, Summer, 1-2 ft Tall, Zones 4-9

LIMITED SUPPLY

Aralia racemosa     American Spikenard                                                                                     

A very large plant with a massive root system, works well in the back of a garden in a shaded spot. Has large heart shaped leaves. The flowers are greenish white, and the fruit is a dark blue berry type fruit, which is edible.       
                                             

Shade to Semi-Shade, Rich Moist Soil, Summer, 3-5 ft Tall, Zones 4-7

LIMIT 1 PER CUSTOMER

Arisaema triphyllum Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Indian Turnip

A must for every woodland garden. Growing to heights of 2 feet or more in a moist shady location. Has 2 leaves generally divided into 3 parts. The spathe type flower can vary from pale green (right picture) to purplish brown (left picture) and is often striped. Contact us or come by when these are in bloom and we can pick you out a specific color. Blooms in the spring and has a cluster of bright red berries in the fall.  
                                 

 Shade, Moist Soil, Spring, 1-3 ft Tall, Zones 4-9.

Aruncus dioicus     Goatsbeard 
                                                                                            

Almost forms into a small shrub with a plume of white flowers in the summer. This plant is very showy and works well in the back of a garden. The stems have a slight reddish tint to them making this an attractive plant even when it is not in bloom. Give this plant plenty of room to spread out, spacing them at least 3-4 ft apart

Shade to Semi-Shade, Average Soil, Summer, 3-4 ft Tall, Zones 3-9

Asarum canadense     Canada Wild Ginger   

This ginger has kidney shaped leaves with purplish flowers just below the leaves right on the ground. It will make a ground cover in a shaded moist spot that has rich soil. The leaves and roots are aromatic when crushed.                                                                                                                                                     

 Shade, Rich Moist Soil, Spring, 6-12 in Tall, Zones 3-8

Astilbe biternata    False Goatsbeard

Similar in appearance to the Aruncus (Goats Beard), hence the common name. Puts on a beautiful show of white flowers in the Summer months with the flower stalks reaching a height of around 4-5 feet when mature. this is a very hardy plant that does well in the shade garden with rich moist well drained soil. Keep in mind this plant can get quite large with a spread of 24-30 inches, so give it some room, gets much larger than the hybrid Astilbes you might be familiar with.

Shade, Rich Soil, Summer, 3-5 ft Tall, Zones 4-9

Caltha palustris – Marsh Marigold

You will be amazed at the bright yellow flowers that appear in the spring time. This is a wetland plant and must have constant moisture to survive. It is great to put at the edge of a pond or along the stream bank. It will reach a height of 10-12 inches with a spread of 12-18 inches. It mostly stays in a clump but will spread some from seed though very slowly. The leaves are round to kidney shaped and have a waxy shiny appearance. Best location for this plant is semi-shade and wet or boggy soils.

Shade to Semi-shade, Wet to Boggy, Spring, 10-12 in. tall, Zones 3-7  

Caulophyllum thalictroides   Blue Cohosh

A plant that is sought after in the herb business for medicinal properties. While not a real show stopper as far as the bloom goes, which is a greenish yellow flower in the spring. The blue berry seed pod it produces is quite unique and it will appear in the summer. The foliage is also attractive in a light green color with the leaf shape somewhat resembling an oversized Columbine leaf. Reaches a height of 2-3 feet and a spread of about the same 2-3 feet and each plant will have several stalks making a large clump.

Shade, Rich Soil, Spring, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-8

Chamaelirium luteum       Fairywand, Devil’s Bit, False Unicorn Root  


                                                    

This is another great late Spring early Summer bloomer for the shade. It sends up a 18-24" spike of white flowers, have seen some much taller in real rich soils and has basal foliage, which will remain all year in the milder climates. It will grow in varied conditions from shade to sun and in dry to moist well drained soils. in shade it will be taller and greener foliage while in the sun it will be more compact with shorter blooms and light green foliage but will produce more stalks per plant making quite a show. This makes it a great addition to any of your gardens.    
                                                                          

Sun to Shade, Rich Soil, Summer, 1-3 ft Tall, Zones 4-9.

Chelone glabra White Turtlehead 
                                                                    

Has opposite lanced shaped leaves that are slightly toothed and a rich dark green in color. Likes a shady wet spot, often growing along on or in creeks. Has white flowers in the fall. Will form into a large clump when mature with many stalks and blooms per plant. Great late season bloomer for the shade.  
                                                                                          

Shade, Rich Moist Soil, Fall, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-8

Chelone lyoni       PinkTurtlehead
                                                                                          

Similar to the white variety except the leaves on this one are a little wider. The foliage is a very dark green color and somewhat shiny which makes it quite attractive even when not in bloom. It has beautiful pink tubular shaped flowers in the late summer to early fall. Gives you some blooms in the late season when not much else is in bloom in your shade garden. It likes shady wet areas right next to a creek or even in shallow water. Makes a large clump when mature with many stems and blooms, and you can easily dig these up and divide them. A must for your gardens if you have a moist to damp spot, it will tolerate drier soils but will stay smaller in size with less blooms but will still perform nicely.                                                                                                                

Shade, Rich Moist Soil, Fall, 2-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-8

Claytonia virginica    Spring Beauty

As the name suggests this has white flowers very early in the spring, one of the first things to bloom in the spring. These are small but in time will spread and make quite a show in your woodland garden when nothing else has hardly even started to sprout. Mix these in with some of your other later blooming flowers as shortly after these bloom the go dormant for the summer and will not appear until next spring. This is one of our best sellers and we truly think that it lives up to its name Spring Beauty.

Shade, Rich Soil, Spring, 6-12 in. Tall, Zones 5-8

Clintonia umbellulata    Speckled Clintonia, Blackbead Lily



Has delicate white flowers that appear in the spring atop of a 8-15 inch stalk. The leaves are basal and somewhat thick with a medium green color. We consider this plant to be a slow to moderate spreader, often seen in the wild in very large patches but keep in mind they have probably been there a very long time. They spread by rhizomes just slightly below the soil level and can be easily divided as they mature. Pick a spot in your garden that has very rich soil. While the best spot for these is in the shade they can tolerate some sun, preferably morning sun. In the late summer to fall they have a black to deep blue berry on them hence the common name Blackbead Lily.

Shade, Rich Soil, Spring, 8-15 in Tall, Zones 4-8

Collinsonia canadensis     Citronella

This plant has fragrant lemon yellow flowers in the summer. The leaves are large with toothed edges. Grows best in a shady damp spot. The stems are juicy and smell of citronella when crushed. Makes a very large clump when mature, very hardy plant.

Shade, Moist Rich Soil, Summer, 1-3 ft Tall, Zones 3-9

Convallaria majalis   Lily-of-the-Valley


Most everyone has probably heard of this plant as it is very popular for gardeners as well as in the florist industry for cut flowers. the best place to grow this is in shade to semi-shade, however it will tolerate some sun in cooler climates. it makes a great ground cover once established which will take 2 or 3 years, so plant this somewhere it has room to spread and will not choke out your other flowers. the small white bell shaped flowers appear in late spring to early summer and the plant itself stays relatively short about 6-12 inches tall.

Semi-shade to Shade, Rich Soil, Spring to Summer, 6-12 in. Tall, Zones 2-9

Delphinum tricorne  Larkspur

Has a beautiful deep purple flower in the early spring, probably one of the most vivid colors you will find that grows in the shade.  Must have very rich organic moist soil and full shade to survive. Often grows around old rotten dead stumps where the soil is loose and rich.

Shade, Rich Organic Soil, Spring, 1-2 ft tall, Zones 4-8

Deschampsia flexuosa – Wavy Hair Grass

This elegant native grass thrives in dry shade. It is fine-textured and looks delicate but is actually tough and drought tolerant. It is also ideal for any well-drained shady location as a ground cover. Its feathery Apricot  blooms blow quietly in the spring breezes. Try to avoid winter wetness.

Shade/Semi, Well-Drained Soil, Spring, 12” Tall, Spread 14”, Zones 4-9

Dicentra cucullaria    Dutchman’s Breeches

One of the first things to bloom in the early Spring has small white flowers. The foliage is light green and very finely cut almost resembles a fern frond. Enjoy this while you can in the spring because shortly after it blooms, which last about 2 or 3 weeks if the weather is good, the plant will die completely down as it goes dormant for the season. You might want to mark this someway in your garden so you do not disturb it during the season. Must have rich loose soil, preferably on the north side where the soil remains cool. Once it gets established it will slowly spread but be patient. Blooms resemble a pair of Dutchman's Breeches.

Shade, Rich Cool Soil, Early Spring, 6-18 in. Tall, Zones 3-8

Dicentra eximia       Fringed Bleeding Heart

What makes this one of our customer favorites is that it blooms from first sign of warm weather until the frost kills it back in the fall. The pink flowers mixed with the fern like foliage give it a very delicate look. In cooler climates it will tolerate quite a bit of sun if the soil is rich and not allowed to dry out. Do not use a heavy thick mulch around this it prefers a light pin bark or pine needle mulch. It will drop some seed and you should have several seedlings every year you can transplant around your garden. It makes almost a small shrub, will grow to about 2’ tall and 2-3’ across. This Dicentra should be in every garden.                                                                         

Shade to Semi Shade, Rich Soil, Spring thru Fall, 18-24 in. Tall, Zones 3-8.

Diphylleia cymosa     Umbrellaleaf

Has large lobed leaves often reaching 10-12 inches across. Has a white flower atop these massive leaves in the spring, then in the fall it has  very attractive purple berries on red stems. Will grow best in a wet shade seen right next to creeks and even grows well in shallow water. Makes a very large showy clump once established, almost looks tropical with the large leaves.

Shade, Wet Rich Soil, Spring, 1-2 ft Tall, Zones 5-9

LIMITED SUPPLY

Dioscorea villosa    Wild Yam

This is a small vine that does not take over. Vines only reaching 4-8 ft. long, with large heart shaped leaves, which turn yellow in the fall. The small yellow green flowers bloom in the summer.

Shade, Rich Soil, Summer, Vine up to 8 ft., Zones 5-8

Dodecatheon media    Shooting Star

One of our best sellers, has beautiful pure white flowers that appear in the spring, the petals are reflexed which leaves the stamens exposed for a very beautiful and unique look. The basal foliage is light green and very tender and will curl up some if over exposed to the sun or becomes dry but always rebounds during the night time hours. The ideal spot is a shady area where the soil is rich and somewhat moist. It goes dormant in the late summer so you might want to mark this in your garden so you do not disturb it during its dormant period. It will make a nice size clump after established for several years, also spreads very slowly from seed.

Shade to semi-shade, Rich Moist Soil, Spring, 9-18 in. Tall, Zones 4-8

Epigaea repens    Trailing Arbutus   Mayflower

This is an evergreen ground cover that has leathery oblong leaves and ½ inch white to pink blooms in the early spring. Must be planted in very acid dry soil, the pH must be down to 4.5. This is a very slow spreader more sought after for its foliage and blooms than as a ground cover. Get your soil right or it will not survive.

Sun to Shade, Very Acid Soil pH of 4.5, Spring, Ground cover, Zones 3-8

We are working hard on this one so please check back later.

Erythronium albidum       White Trout Lily

Has white blooms early in the spring one of the first things to bloom come spring. Has two somewhat variegated leaves, which will remain until mid-summer then they will go dormant. Must have a shady, moist spot, without proper moisture they will not bloom.

Shade, Rich Moist Soil, Spring, 5-10 in. Tall, Zones 4-9

Erythronium americanum   Yellow Trout Lily

This Erythronium has a yellow flower in the spring, one of the first things to bloom come spring. One of more popular plants because of the early bloom time and the bright yellow flower. Give this beauty plenty of moisture as it grows next to creeks and spring in the wild. Soil should be very rich and organic. Will spread if given the proper conditions.

Shade, Rich Moist Soil, Spring, 5-10 in. Tall, Zones 4-9

Eurybia divaricata   White Wood Aster  

                                                                                  

A late summer bloomer that will tolerate shade. It also spreads very nicely, and has white flowers with gold centers. Makes a nice show when not much else is blooming in the shade.
                                         

Shade, Rich Soil, Summer – Fall, 1-2 ft Tall, Zones 4-8

Click Here For Next Page Of Wildflowers For Shade