Annual Plants for Shady Areas
- Impatiens are annuals that thrive in shady areas.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Lasting for only one season, annuals are ideal for the gardener who doesn't want to make a commitment and likes having the option of changing her garden ever year. A variety of shade loving annuals produce brilliant colored blooms, so use them to brighten up a shady area in your yard. - Wax begonia grow in single or double blooms.excellent pink begonia flowers image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com
Wax begonias provide color for shady areas from spring until the first autumn frost. The leaves of the plant are waxy and dark green or bronze colored. The leaves store water and supply the plant with water during dry periods, making the wax begonia drought tolerant. The flowers grow in single or double blooms, appear in loose clusters and come in an array of colors, including white, red, pink and yellow. The plant will grow about 1 foot tall and will spread 6 to 12 inches wide. These plants thrive in moist soil that drains well and while they prefer a mix of sun and shade, they can also grow in areas of dense shade. - Impatiens have bright colored blooms and thrive in partial shade.impatiens image by palms from Fotolia.com
Impatiens are annuals that are known for their ability to grow in shady areas. Their bright colored blooms add interest to a shady area. These flowers come in several varieties, including New Guinea and balsam. On average, the flowers grow 1 to 2 inches across and bloom at the ends of the dark green, fleshy stems. The foliage of this plant is dark green and teardrop shaped with ridged edges. The flowers come in a wide range of colors, including red, white, pink, purple, salmon and mauve. Some varieties are variegated with two colors. These plants range in height from 8 inches to 2 feet. Impatiens do best when planted in a partial shade and require moist soil. - Wishbone is one of the lesser known annual shade flowers that can withstand heat, shade and humidity. From a distance, these tubular flowers resemble the flowers of a snapdragon and come in shades of white, pink, purple, yellow and blue. Some flowers are multicolored or feature darker spots --- for example, light purple flowers may feature dark purple spots. The flower gets its name because the fused stamens resemble a wishbone. This plant spreads about a foot wide and grows 6 to 12 inches tall. In addition to the flowers, the bright green foliage will add color to your garden. They require moist soil that drains well.
