Begonia Dragon Wing

Begonia Green Leaf

Caladium

Coleus doesn’t need to flower because the leaves are so pretty.  Dozens of varieties are available with every possible pattern of red, gold, green, pink, purple, and orange on the leaves.  All types grow happily in the shade and some will even tolerate full sun if given plenty of water.  Grows 16 to 36 inches tall and wide.  Pinch back the stems to encourage the plants to branch out.

Coleus Amora

Dragon Wings

Begonia Pot

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The Barn Nursery  •  I-24 at the 4th Avenue exit  •  Chattanooga, Tennessee  •  423-698-BARN

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Impatiens

America’s favorite flower for the shade.  Impatiens are easy to grow plants for shade or part shade.  Flowers can be any color but yellow and blue.  They don’t require dead heading, but can be pinched back in mid summer if the stems grow too long.  Excellent for bedding plants or containers.  1 to 2 feet tall and wide.  Fertilize and water regularly.  Attracts hummingbirds.

New Guinea Impatiens

These showy cousins of regular impatiens have larger flowers and leaves that can be burgundy or striped with gold.  They tolerate more sun than traditional impatiens, but still grow best when shaded from the hottest midday sun.  New Guinea impatiens grow up to 18 inches tall and need plenty of water.  Attracts hummingbirds.

Polka Dot Plant

These low growing foliage plants have white, pink or red spots of color on dark green leaves.  Good for the front of the shade border, or for adding variety to shady container plantings.  Pinch back stems to encourage branching.  Easy.

Torenia Summer Wave Blue

Torenia have some of the best blue flowers for the shade.  The best variety is Summer Wave, a heat tolerant trailing type that combines well in hanging baskets with impatiens or begonias.  Plants are easy and fast growing, but do water often. 6 inches tall and up to 2 feet wide.  Pink, purple, and rose varieties are also available.

These are some of the easiest plants for the shade.  Green leaved wax begonias are low maintenance bedding plants in pink, white, or red.  Non-stop begonias have large rose shaped flowers and come in many colors, including yellow.  Dragon Wing begonias have red or pink drooping flowers and are excellent for hanging baskets.  Finally, Rex Begonias have beautiful variegated leaves that can be rose, purple or silver.  Full to part shade.

Coleus Wine

These tropical bulbs are grown for their striking foliage color.  The leaves can be white, red, or pink and come in a wide variety of interesting patterns.  Plant bulbs or transplants when the nights are over 55 degrees.  Caladiums are excellent behind shorter flowers like impatiens or begonias.  Full to part shade.