Top 5 Shade-Loving, Flowering Annuals!

Many people have shady yards due to large trees and other structures. While many plants need lots of sun to bloom and grow, there are a few annuals that are stars in the shady conditions of your yard! Try some of the following plants this year and soon you will agree!

My favorite shade-loving annual is definitely Impatiens. Impatiens have been blooming in shady gardens for centuries. They flower heavily and can be found in beautiful, bright colors. Warm shades of red and orange are a star choice. Cooler purples, whites and magenta's are also found easily at any nursery in the spring.

Pansies and Violas are also a stunning flowering annual that will bloom under shady conditions. Typically Pansies and Violas come in shades of blue and yellow, but you can find pink, orange and white as well as almost any nursery. These flowers will not withstand the heat of summer and may take a week or two off from producing blooms when the temperatures are very high. Don't throw them out though; they will flower again once the weather is cooler!

Wax Begonia is also a great choice for your shady spot. Begonias can stand the heat of summer, but in the shade they will produce bright blooms and form a trailing growth pattern. This makes a begonia a great choice for a hanging basket as the blooms will spill over and down the sides of the basket. In a sunnier spot the Begonia will form a more upright growth pattern and is beautiful in garden borders.

Lobelia is another beautiful flowering annual that blooms in shade. Typically found in a deep blue or purple color, this annual shines in any hanging basket or window box. The blooms are small, but they are generally very productive and have a great quantity of flowers. Lobelia can be paired with impatiens for a stunning display.

Another favorite in my shade garden is the Fuschia. A Fuschia is a beautiful annually flowering plant that may also be brought indoors following the summer. Fuschia's come in pinks and purples and are very attractive to hummingbirds. They require heavy watering and will form water spots if the foliage is allowed to remain wet throughout the day. While the Fuschia produces beautiful blooms, it can be hard to be successful with this plant.

One more plant that does not produce flowers, but is worth mentioning for its beautiful foliage is the Coleus. Coleus is very easily propagated and can be found in almost any shade and size. The foliage is variegated with shades of green, blue, red, white and yellow. The plant does produce lavender flowers, but they are small and generally plucked off to allow for healthier foliage growth. Coleus is a great choice for a garden edge and can be paired with impatiens for a beautiful flowering basket!

All these flowers are great performers in shady conditions. Be careful not to over water these plants, and allow the soil to dry before you water again. If you have a place that you are having a difficult time getting grass to grow, try planting these annuals for a beautiful ground cover spotted with blooms!