Shaded decks, porches and patios are great places for container gardening even if there doesn’t seem to be a lot of sun. In fact, there are a number of different plants that prefer shady conditions to sunny ones. These are just a few:
Astilbes
Astilbe hybrids are beautiful wispy perennial flowers that appear lighter than air and come in colors such as red, white, lavender and pink. Not only are these flowers ideal for containers, but they also are great as borders around a patio.
Hostas
Hosta hybrids come in blue-green, green and yellow colors along with some variegated varieties. The leaves on these plants vary according to the species, but can range from round to heart-shaped. Even though these plants are famous for their greenery, certain species of hostas will also produce attractive blooms.
Tuberous Begonias
Tuberous begonias come in single or double blooms. They can add vibrant colors such as salmon, orange, red, pink, yellow and white to your porch garden. Begonias are plants for both regular pots and hanging baskets depending on the variety that you select to cultivate.
Coleus
Coleus perennial plants provide colorful foliage with leaves that contain green with orange, pink, yellow, red or other tones depending on the variety that you purchase. They grow well in pots on your lightly shaded deck or in the ground just off your patio.
Impatiens
Impatiens flowers are annuals that offer an explosion of color with white, pale pink, hot pink, peach, salmon, red and lavender blooms. All varieties of impatiens prefer shade, but the New Guinea variety will endure a bit more sun, as long as it is not full sun. Impatiens will thrive in containers and hanging baskets also in a sunroom.
Plants such as the ones mentioned above provide the perfect ornamental highlights and color that enhance the beauty of your deck, patio or porch. Consult with your local garden center to learn which shade-loving plants grow best in your area.
