First, decipher the amount of shade the location receives. Are we talking about part shade or full shade? Part sun to part shade plants should receive 2 to 3 hours of sunlight. Plants labeled part shade should avoid the hot late afternoon sun to avoid scorching. Part sun plants thrive when they receive morning or early evening sunlight.

Mix purple-leaf coral bells to contrast with the courser leaf of a hosta. The bench and bird feeder also create a focal point. Photo: MNLA Perennials Catalog 2007

Full shade plants receive no direct sunlight to dappled light. Plants below a high canopy of trees fall into this category. Deep shade plants are in constant shade. Plants located in deep woods or under evergreen trees are considered deep shade plants.

Consider how buildings, trees, or structures such as fences and decks may cast shade on your site. The amount of sun a site receives also depends on the seasonal angle of the sun and if leaves are on trees and shrubs. Deep shade will be the toughest as the selection of plants is fewer.

Second, consider if you want this space to be naturalized or a more formal woodland garden bed. Probably the easiest to maintain would be to plant native shade loving plants most suited to your soil type. A more naturalized landscape will use mass drifts of plants where the space will grow and evolve throughout the years.

For a more formal look, define the space and be more deliberate with your plant siting and selection, like using non-natives. Use of a vinyl, paver, or natural stone edging may be impossible with tree roots. Consider small boulders or use an organic mulch to define the space. Incorporate landscape elements like a bench, fence or flower pot to make the space more structured, to create a focal point, or to add a pop of color.

Bed has visual interest with different leaf shapes and plant forms. Pink flower is Geranium macrorrhizum 'Ingwersen's Variety'. Photo: Northern Gardener March/April 2009 edition

Lastly, you can bring interest to a shady spot through different plant textures and leaf shape and color. Mix various shades of green. Incorporate variegated plants or mix in some plants with a plum or maroon leaf color -think bugbane, coral bells, etc. for those red/purple tones. You can bring in some blues and yellows through hostas. Use yellow, white, and chartreuse colors to give the illusion of a brighter space. The picture above mixes shades of green for leaf color, and also demonstrates several different plant forms from arching to mounding to creeping along with a variety of leaf shapes.

Often Not Thought of Plants for Shadier Spots

Check out variegated Solomon's Seal, scientifically called Polygonatum odoratum "Variegatum" if you want a plant that works in part shade to shade and is underused in the landscape. Variegated Solomon's Seal features dainty lightly-scented nodding white bell-shaped flowers along arching stems in mid spring. Its attractive pointy leaves remain green in color with showy creamy white variegation throughout the season.

Use variegated Solomon's Seal for groundcover, naturalizing and woodland gardens or general garden use. The features that make it great for naturalizing and groundcover, also means its spreading habit may become aggressive, so take that into consideration when siting.

It will grow to be about 30 inches tall and wide. It prefers average to moist soil conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. Solomon's Seal is hardy to zone 2a. Do note that parts of the plant are known to be toxic to humans and animals, so care should be exercised in planting it around children and pets.

Polygonatum odoratum "Variegatum" is not originally from North America. However, Polygonatum biflorum is native to Minnesota deciduous woodlands, and will grow to a height of 1-3' by 12-18". The native species is hardy to zone 4.