Low Sun Garden Plants

Shaded areas of the yard are well adapted to many types of gardening, but the gardener should choose plants suited for the lower amounts of sun. Shade varies from light to heavy, depending on how much sun the garden receives throughout the day. For gardens with low amounts of sun, choose plants for low or medium shade conditions. These areas are well suited for a wide range of plants from flowering trees to vegetables.

Wild blue phlox is a quickly multiplying plant suitable for a lightly shaded garden, according to Backyard Gardener. It grows especially well along rocky borders of shaded gardens. The plant features tall stems, averaging between 8 and 18 inches high, according to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower center. Clusters of flat flowers range in colors from pink to lavender. Some nurseries may sell wild blue phlox under the name Sweet William. Phlox occurs naturally in wooded areas throughout much of the United States, making it an ideal landscaping plant. It also naturally attracts butterflies and songbirds to the garden.

Another perennial that grows well throughout much of the United States and thrives in partially shaded conditions is the Virginia bluebell, according to Backyard Gardener. The Virginia bluebell features arched branches about 1 to 2 feet long with clustered, bell-shaped flowers. Most flowers are a light blue or purple, though a small version of Virginia bluebell features pink blooms, notes the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Bluebells bloom from March to June.

Wildflowers are not the only plants that thrive in a partially shaded garden. Many cool season vegetables grow well with limited amounts of sun. With a shaded garden, vegetables will thrive, but they may produce slightly fewer vegetables, according to the University of Missouri. Some recommended vegetables include lettuce, spinach, radishes, broccoli, beets, peas, potatoes and turnips. For a fruit garden, bramble fruits like blackberries and raspberries grow well in lightly shaded areas. Also consider growing currants and gooseberries.

In addition to flowers and garden foods, consider planting flowering, ornamental trees. One tree that does very well in lightly shaded gardens is the pagoda dogwood, which thrives in shaded conditions because this species grows naturally under the shade of taller trees, according to the University of Missouri. Pagoda dogwood reaches heights between 15 and 25 feet tall and between 10 and 20 feet wide. In the early spring, the tree blooms with creamy, white flowers. In the mid- to late summer, the dogwood features red fruits that turn blue-black as the season continues.