Native Plants for a Shaded Woodland Garden/Planting

Transform a shaded area in your yard into a woodland garden

Inspired by the natural forest floor, these gardens mimic the conditions found in forests, where trees, shrubs, and wildflowers thrive under the canopy of taller trees. Shaded areas can be transformed into lush and vibrant spaces by carefully selecting plants that thrive in low-light conditions. Ideally these gardens are created under the canopy of a deciduous tree in your yard. With the right combination of native wildflowers, ferns, shrubs, and groundcovers, you can create a space that resembles a piece of the forest that offers beauty, biodiversity, and a sanctuary for pollinators and wildlife.

Create a mini forest in your backyard from the canopy trees to the understory, shrubs and groundcovers.

Creating a mini forest in your backyard is a rewarding way to connect with nature while supporting local wildlife. By replicating the structure of a natural forest, you can create a rich, biodiverse environment with multiple layers, from the towering canopy to subcanopy, shrub layer and the shaded forest floor. Start by selecting native trees and shrubs for the upper layers (oaks, maples, pine, cherry), adding a mix of understory trees (serviceberry, pawpaw, blue beech), a shrub layer (dogwood, bladdernut, witch hazel, spicebush), a herbaceous layer (woodland wildflowers and ferns) and a groundcover layer (partridge berry, wintergreen, logs with mosses). Each layer will provide habitat for different creatures, enhance the soil’s health, and transform your backyard into a thriving, self-sustaining ecosystem.

Take a walk in a natural forest and woodland at a local park or Conservation Area to gain inspiration for your woodland/shade garden.

These plants are ideal for creating a thriving shade garden while supporting local ecosystems!

Wildflowers:

• Barren Strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides) – A low-growing groundcover that thrives in shaded, acidic soils, with bright yellow flowers in spring and evergreen, strawberry-like leaves, providing year-round interest in woodland gardens. Can tolerate dry soils and can grow in touch conditions.
• Bellwort (Uvularia spp.) – A delicate, shade-loving perennial with drooping, bell-shaped yellow flowers in spring. It thrives in moist, woodland areas.
• Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) – A tall (4-6 feet) woodland wildflower that thrives in shade, featuring spires of white, fragrant flowers that bloom in midsummer and attract pollinators. It does prefer some moisture, well drained, and humus-rich soils.
• Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) – Delicate white flowers that emerge in early spring. Prefers moist, well-drained soils but can tolerate dry shade especially in rich, organic soils (such as under deciduous trees).
• Blue-Stemmed Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) – A shade-tolerant goldenrod with arching, blue-tinged stems and clusters of bright yellow flowers that bloom in late summer and early fall, attracting pollinators. An excellent choice for dry shaded sites. Drought tolerant.
• Canada Anemone (Anemone canadensis) –  White flowers in late spring to early summer, good groundcover as it spreads. Attractive foliage. Thrives in m oist, moderate moisture sites but can tolerate drier sites.
• Canada Mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) – A low-growing and spreading perennial with delicate white flowers, thriving in shaded woodlands and moist, rich soils. Thrives best in moist soils but can tolerate some dry shade in humus-rich soil.
• Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) – A low-growing wildflower that thrives in shaded areas, with heart-shaped leaves and vibrant purple to blue flowers in early spring. Very adaptable, can tolerate dry conditions and is drought tolerant once established. Host for fritillary butterflies.
• Dutchman’s Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) – Delicate white flowers shaped like a pair of tiny trousers (breeches). Blooms in early spring and then dies back (ephemeral). Grows in moist woodlands but can tolerate some dry shade (especially in areas with leaf litter and mulch).
• Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia) – Soft spikes of tiny, foamy white blooms in spring. Prefers moist, humus-rich soils, but can tolerate dry shade with leaf litter to help retain moisture. 
• Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) – A unique flower, prefers damp shade, rich soil. Blooms in spring.
• Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans) – A native perennial with delicate, pinnately compound leaves and clusters of blue or purple flowers, thriving in shaded, moist woodland gardens and offering spring interest. Can tolerate in drier shaded sites.
• Goat’s Beard/Bride’s Feathers (Aruncus dioicus) – A native perennial that thrives in shaded, moist areas, featuring tall plume-like white flower clusters and fern-like foliage, providing texture and visual interest to woodland gardens.
• Heart-leaved Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) – Produces clusters of pale blue to purple flowers in late summer to fall. Prefers moist, well-drained soil . A nice addition with its heart-shaped leaves and long-lasting blooms. Can tolerate dry shade with the help of organic matter to help retain moisture.
• Hepatica (Hepatica spp.) – A delicate spring wildflower known for its early bloom of vibrant, star-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white, thriving in shaded, rich, well-drained woodland soils. It can tolerate dry shaded conditions.
• Large-leaved Aster – (Symphytotrichum macrophyllum) – Known for its large, heart-shaped leaves and clusters for blue-purple flowers that bloom in late summer into fall. Prefers medium moisture sites with rich soil but can tolerate dry shade once established. Spreads by rhizomes.
• Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) – Umbrella-like foliage with hidden white blooms in spring. Prefers moist, well-drained soils but can tolerate some drier conditions in humus-rich soils with leaf litter to help retain some moisture.
• Solomon’s Seals (Polygonatum spp.) – Graceful woodland perennials with arching stems, dangling bell-shaped flowers, and a preference for shaded, moist gardens. Can handle drier conditions.
• Spikenard (Aralia racemosa) – A large, herbaceous perennial native to rich, shaded woodlands. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil but can tolerate some dryness once established. Growing up to 4–6 feet tall, with clusters of small, greenish-white flowers in summer, followed by deep purple berries that attract wildlife. 
• Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) – A small early spring ephemeral with pink flowers and lance-shaped leaves, thriving in moist, shaded woodland gardens.
• Trillium (Trillium spp.) – Woodland flower with three-petaled blooms in white or red. Blooms in early spring. Ephemeral. They do best with moderate moisture and may tolerate some dry shade if soil is rich in organic matter to help retain moisture (leaf litter and compost can achieve this).
• Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) – A delicate spring wildflower with nodding, yellow flowers and mottled leaves that resemble trout markings, thriving in moist, shaded woodland areas. Ephemeral. Can grow in dry shade but prefers moderate moisture.
• Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) – Early spring bloomer with clusters of bell-shaped blue flowers. Ephemeral. They prefer moist well-drained conditions but can tolerate slightly drier sites but should be rich in organic matter.
• White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) – A shade-loving perennial that thrives in moist, well-drained soil but is also tolerant of dry conditions once established. Its late-season white flowers attract pollinators, making it a great choice for naturalized woodland gardens with varying moisture levels.
• White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata) – Best in medium moisture soils but can tolerate drier shaded sites once established. Spreads by rhizomes making it an excellent groundcover. White flowers in late summer into fall attract pollinators.
• Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – Red honeysuckle-like flowers that attract hummingbirds. Spring blooming. Does best in dry to medium moisture conditions. Often found in woodland edges, meadows and rocky slopes. 
• Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum) – A native perennial that thrives in shaded areas with dry to medium and moist soils. It features pink to purple flowers and attractive, deeply lobed leaves, providing vibrant color in woodland gardens. Spring blooming. 
• Wild Ginger (Asarum canadense) – Low-growing groundcover with heart-shaped leaves. Creates an attractive groundcover. Prefers moist but can adapt to drier tougher growing sites.
• Downy Wood Mint (Blephilia hirsuta) – A native perennial that thrives in shaded, moist woodland areas, with soft, downy leaves and spikes of purple flowers, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies while adding texture to the landscape. It can tolerate dry shade.
• Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata) – A shade-loving perennial with fragrant, star-shaped flowers that are purple/blue blooming in spring and attracting pollinators to woodland gardens. Prefers moist, well-drained soils but can tolerate dry shade once established. 
• Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca) – A low-growing, spreading, shade-tolerant groundcover that produces small, sweet strawberries in early summer, with trifoliate leaves. Prefers medium moisture, well-drained soils but can tolerate drier conditions. Somewhat drought tolerant once established.
• Zigzag Goldenrod (Solidago flexicaulis) – A shade-loving goldenrod with zigzagging stems and clusters of bright yellow flowers. It thrives in woodland settings and supports pollinators. Thrives in dry to medium moisture. A great option for dry shade. Clump-forming and spreads through rhizomes.

Ferns:

• Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) – Evergreen fronds that provide year-round interest. Prefers moist to dry, well-drained soil.
• Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) – Tall, feathery fronds with striking cinnamon-colored spikes. Grows best in consistently moist to wet soil.
• Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) – Graceful, finely divided fronds that thrive in dappled light. Prefers moist, well-drained soil.
• Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) – Elegant fronds with a delicate texture. Thrives in moist, well-drained soil.
• Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) – A large, spreading fern that thrives in shaded, moist woodland environments, known for its tall, feathery fronds that resemble ostrich plumes, adding texture and elegance to garden landscapes. Requires consistently moist to wet soil.

Grasses and Sedges:

• Bottlebrush Grass (Elymus hystrix) – Unique seed heads that thrive in woodland gardens.
• Silky Rye (Elymus villosus) – medium height grass with arching form and delicate seed head
• Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) – A clump-forming grass with narrow, dark green leaves and feathery panicles of purplish-green flowers.
• Pennsylvania Sedge (Carex pensylvanica) – A low, fine-textured grass-like plant perfect for shady areas.
• Rosey Sedge (Carex rosea) – A native sedge that thrives in shaded, moist woodland areas, featuring soft, arching green foliage with a reddish tint, providing excellent ground cover.
• Plantain-leaved Sedge (Carex plantaginea) – A low-growing, evergreen sedge with broad, bright green leaves and showy purple-brown flower spikes in spring.

Vines:

• Glaucous Honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica) thrives in shade and part-shade. It has fragrant, tubular red/orange/yellow flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by red berries that attract birds.
• Virgin’s Bower (Clematis virginiana) – A climbing vine with clusters of white, star-shaped flowers very attractive to pollinators.
• Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) – A twining vine with heart-shaped leaves and small greenish-yellow flowers, thriving in moist, shaded woodland gardens.

Shrubs:

• Allegheny Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) – A native shrub that thrives in woodland edges and shaded areas producing sweet, dark berries and dense, thorny growth that supports wildlife and attracts pollinators.
• American Hazelnut (Corylus americana) – A shade-tolerant shrub that produces edible nuts in the fall, with rounded leaves and a dense growth habit.
• Bladdernut (Staphylea trifolia) is a fast-growing, shade-tolerant shrub ideal for woodland gardens, offering unique seed pods and early spring flowers.
• Fly Honeysuckle (Lonicera canadensis) – Thrives in moist, shaded environments, with fragrant yellow to orange tubular flowers in spring, attracting hummingbirds and bees, and providing early-season nectar.
• Mapleleaf Viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) – Compact shrub with white flowers and brilliant fall color.
• Pagoda Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) – A medium to large sized shrub that thrives in partial shade, known for its umbrella-like growth form and attractive leaves, delicate white flowers in late spring, and blue-black berries that attract birds in the fall.
• Purple Flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus) – Thrives in shade, with showy pink to purple flowers in early summer and dark green, deeply lobed leaves. It is valued for its ornamental beauty and its ability to grow in moist, wooded areas. Somewhat aggressive.
• Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) – Aromatic shrub with yellow flowers and red berries.
• Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) – A spreading shrub that thrives in partial to full shade, producing clusters of white berries in late summer to fall. It is tolerant of a variety of soil types and provides valuable wildlife habitat.
• Witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) – A small tree or shrub that thrives in partial to full shade, with yellow, ribbon-like flowers in late fall or early winter. It adapts well to various soils and moisture levels, offering year-round interest and supporting wildlife.

Shrubby Groundcovers:

• Partridge Berry (Mitchella repens) – A low-growing evergreen groundcover that thrives in shady, moist woodlands. It produces small white flowers in spring, followed by red berries that persist into winter, providing food for wildlife.
• Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) – A low-growing evergreen groundcover that thrives in shaded, acidic soils. It produces small white or pink flowers in summer, followed by bright red berries that persist into winter, offering food for wildlife. Its aromatic leaves are often used for medicinal purposes.
• Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) – A low-growing, groundcover shrub that thrives in shady, woodland environments. It features clusters of small white flowers in spring, followed by red berries in summer. Bunchberry is known for its striking foliage and provides food for wildlife.