Top Ten Perennials for Minnesota Shade Gardens

When Planting perennials in Minnesota, considerations must be made for certain plants to protect against excessive snow thaw which can create boggy soils, salt from driveways and sidewalks and freeze-thaw cycles in the Spring and Fall. The following is a list of my favorite perennials for shade in the Minnesota Landscape. See this Gardeners website for information on how to obtain these plants at exceptional prices at www.amazingearthclub.blogspot.com

Epimedium 'Lilafee' This is a great ground cover type perennial for shade. It forms thick clumps, lavender-violet flowers appear over heart shaped leaves. Works well with emerging Hosta's, Globeflower, Solomon's Seal and Bleeding Hearts.


Thalictrum aquilegifolium purpureum also known as Meadow Rue, is a tall plant, 3-5ft in height which resembles columbine. Blue-green foliage with violet -purple flowers on purple stems.

Try combining this one with Bleeding Hearts and Golden Orange Globe Flower.
Alchemilla mollis also known as Lady's Mantle. This vigorous and superb perennial has chartruese flowers and hairy leaves that collect water droplets from the morning dew. This plant grows about 12 inches tall and 15 inches wide. Plant this one in masses that meandor through ferns and Astilbe's.



Ligularia 'Desdemona' A great focal plant for the deep shade with hard to find, orange flowers on long empty stems. Giant shiny green leaves with purple undersides. This one grows to 3.5ft.
Great with Hosta's.

Aconitum fisheri which is known as Monkshood, is a rare spectacle in the garden. It may be rare due to it's poisonous nature. All parts of this plant are poisonous and should be handled carefully. Otherwise, this plant provides a foliage similar to Leucanthemum's, yet darker and almost black. I have these planted in amongst Monarda's and Globe Flower.

Anenome tomentosa 'Robustissima' This Windflower is simply incredible. It booms in early fall with a bounty of light pink flowers that are shed daily, creating a carpet of petals. 30" tall and a great plant to bring light to a dark area. Combine with Astilbe's like 'Fanal'.


Cimicifuga racemosa This plant known as Bugbane brings a bright cherry fragrance into the shade garden. It's a tall plant, reaching 5ft tall or more. Give this one some room. This is a great plant to combine with Brunnera, Ferns and Ananenome's.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Looking Glass'

This may easily be my all-time favorite perennial in any category. It grows in deep shade and resembles Forget-me nots. The flowers are an intense sky blue and the leaves of this cultivar are a shiny silver. Plant this one in masses amongst Bleeding Hearts and Globeflowers for a Spring display bof pink, gold and blue.

Astilbe thunbergii 'Ostrich Plume'

This Astilbe has cascading flower heads that create an interesting focal point when planted en masse. The striking pink flowers are often shades of pinks, adding to the enchantment of this unique Astilbe. Try planting this one around a specimen Goatsbeard or Cimicifuga.

Aruncus diocus

This Sylvan's Goatsbeard is the plant to beat for fast growth and bulk in the garden. This plant has a formidable yet soft appearance, with a foliage similar to that of the Astilbe's. If used in the back border, combine with cinnamon ferns or woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata). If used as a specimen, consider using a lower growing groundcover type plant around it to fully showcase this plants character. Remember to plant this one as a 1 gallon sized plant.

Enjoy!