Shade-tolerant plants – hardiness zones compared (USDA, RHS, Canadian & Australian)

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All 106 shade-tolerant plants in the catalogue, alphabetical by common name. Each links to a full page with its ratings across the USDA, RHS, Canadian and Australian systems.

Apple berry Billardiera scandens – Light twining climber from southern and eastern Australia with edible fruit tasting of stewed apple. USDA zones 8–10
Australian native mangosteen Atractocarpus fitzalanii – Glossy-leaved Queensland rainforest tree with soft orange edible fruit; unrelated to true mangosteen. USDA zones 10–12
Autumn fern Dryopteris erythrosora – East Asian semi-evergreen fern with new fronds emerging in copper-red and ageing through coral and salmon to glossy green. Among the most ornamentally coloured ferns and the best for warm-temperate gardens. USDA zones 5–9
Black cohosh Actaea racemosa – Tall woodland perennial with feathery white flower spikes (1.5–2 m). Roots are a widely-used herb for menopausal symptom support. USDA zones 3–8
Blackwood Acacia melanoxylon – Large southeastern Australian acacia producing premium dark cabinetry timber. Tolerates more shade than most acacias and supports a wide range of native moths and butterflies. USDA zones 8–11
Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis – Spring ephemeral of eastern North American woodlands. White flowers and orange-red sap from the rhizome. Listed for reference rather than home use. USDA zones 3–8
Blue cohosh Caulophyllum thalictroides – Eastern North American woodland perennial with finely divided foliage and deep blue berries. Listed for reference; significant toxicity precludes home use. USDA zones 3–8
Blue flax lily Dianella caerulea – Tough, adaptable strappy perennial from eastern Australia with blue flowers and violet berries. USDA zones 9–10
Bolwarra Eupomatia laurina – Rainforest-understorey shrub or small tree from eastern Australia with fragrant, edible fruit. USDA zones 9–10
Boston fern Nephrolepis exaltata – Bushy fern with arching fronds; popular as a houseplant or sheltered patio specimen. USDA zones 9–12
Brazilian spinach Alternanthera sissoo – Low, spreading tropical perennial grown as a productive cooked leafy green. USDA zones 9–11
Cape lily (Bush lily) Clivia miniata – Evergreen South African woodland perennial with strap-like dark green leaves arranged in a fan, and dense umbels of orange (or yellow) trumpet flowers in late winter and spring. USDA zones 9–11
Cherry — Morello Prunus cerasus "Morello" – Acid cherry traditionally trained against north-facing walls in walled English gardens. The only cherry that fruits reliably in part shade. USDA zones 3–8
Christmas rose hellebore Helleborus niger – Evergreen shade perennial with leathery dark leaves and large pure white flowers in midwinter. Distinct from the more familiar Lenten rose hellebore (H. orientalis). USDA zones 3–8
Climbing hydrangea Hydrangea anomala subsp. petiolaris – Self-clinging deciduous East Asian climber with rounded leaves and broad flat heads of small fertile flowers ringed by larger sterile florets in early summer. The principal climber for north-facing walls. USDA zones 4–8
Coffee (Red Catuai) Coffea arabica – Glossy evergreen shrub grown for its beans, the roasted seeds of the red coffee "cherries". USDA zones 10–11
Common box Buxus sempervirens – Slow-growing evergreen native shrub with small dark glossy leaves, exceptional density, and unmatched fineness of clipping detail. The classic European formal-garden topiary, parterre, and low-hedge species. USDA zones 5–8
Common dog violet Viola riviniana – Low-growing native woodland violet with unscented blue-violet flowers in early spring. The most widespread larval host for fritillary butterflies. USDA zones 3–8
Common ivy Hedera helix – Self-clinging evergreen climber that becomes shrubby and flowers only on mature stems high up on its support. The flowers are one of the most important late-season nectar sources in temperate gardens. USDA zones 4–9
Coptis (Chinese goldthread) Coptis chinensis – Low evergreen ground cover with finely divided foliage. Roots carry berberine — the same antimicrobial alkaloid as endangered goldenseal — and are a more sustainable cultivated source. USDA zones 5–8
Coral bells ‘Palace Purple’ Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ – The original deep-mahogany-leaved coral bells cultivar, with maple-shaped leaves in deep purple-bronze and slender stems of small cream flowers in summer. Perennial Plant of the Year (USA) 1991. USDA zones 4–8
Creeping raspberry Rubus rolfei – Low, creeping evergreen groundcover with crinkled leaves and occasional golden-amber fruit. USDA zones 6–9
Davidson's plum (Queensland form) Davidsonia pruriens – Tall tropical Queensland Davidson's plum with large leaves and sour deep-purple fruit borne on the trunk. USDA zones 10–12
Davidson's plum (smooth-leaved) Davidsonia johnsonii – Smooth-leaved Davidson's plum from northern NSW and SE Queensland with intensely tart purple fruit. USDA zones 10–11
Dutchman’s breeches Dicentra cucullaria – Delicate eastern North American spring ephemeral with finely divided fern-like foliage and rows of small white pantaloon-shaped flowers in mid-spring. USDA zones 3–7
Dwarf plum pine Podocarpus spinulosus – Low, spreading native conifer from eastern Australia with a sweet, edible fleshy fruit-stalk. USDA zones 8–10
Dwarf sweet box Sarcococca hookeriana var. humilis – Low spreading evergreen sweet box reaching only 50–60 cm tall, with the same intensely fragrant winter flowers as taller forms. Spreads slowly by suckers to form a low evergreen mat. USDA zones 6–9
Eastern cyclamen Cyclamen coum – Small woodland cyclamen with rounded silver-marbled leaves and pink, magenta or white shuttlecock flowers from midwinter through early spring. USDA zones 5–9
English bluebell Hyacinthoides non-scripta – Native woodland bulb forming sheets of nodding deep violet-blue bells in April and May. Bluebell woods are an internationally recognised UK habitat. USDA zones 4–8
English holly Ilex aquifolium – Evergreen tree or shrub with glossy spiny leaves and bright red winter berries. The traditional Christmas holly of the British Isles. USDA zones 5–9
English yew Taxus baccata – Long-lived native evergreen with very dark needle-like foliage and bright red fleshy arils in autumn. Some specimens are among the oldest living things in Britain. USDA zones 6–9
European beech Fagus sylvatica – Tall European native tree with smooth grey bark, copper-coloured autumn leaves that persist on young growth all winter, and pale, hard, even-grained timber that is the standard hardwood for furniture, flooring, and bentwood chairs. USDA zones 4–7
European dog’s tooth violet Erythronium dens-canis – Diminutive European spring ephemeral with mottled leaves and nodding pink or lilac flowers with strongly recurved petals. Bulb shape suggests a dog’s tooth, giving rise to the name. USDA zones 3–8
European hornbeam Carpinus betulus – Native European tree with characteristic muscle-like fluted trunk, fine-toothed leaves, and the hardest, densest, most shock-resistant native European timber. Long used for tool handles, mill cogs, butcher’s blocks, and parquet. USDA zones 4–8
False goat’s beard (Astilbe) Astilbe × arendsii – Hybrid moisture-loving perennial with deeply divided ferny dark foliage and feathery flame-shaped flower plumes in white, pink, salmon, red, or magenta through summer. Mainstay of damp shade plantings. USDA zones 4–8
Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia – Eastern North American native woodland perennial with maple-like leaves often marked with dark veins, and spires of tiny frothy white flowers above the foliage in late spring. USDA zones 3–8
Full moon maple ‘Aconitifolium’ Acer japonicum ‘Aconitifolium’ – Japanese maple cultivar with deeply cut nine- to eleven-lobed leaves like aconite foliage, turning spectacular ruby-red and scarlet in autumn. Distinct from the more widely grown Acer palmatum cultivars. USDA zones 5–8
Garlic mustard (Jack-by-the-hedge) Alliaria petiolata – Biennial woodland-edge herb with garlic-scented leaves used as a wild salad green. Important early-season food plant for several butterflies. USDA zones 3–8
Ginger Zingiber officinale – Familiar rhizomatous perennial — culinary spice and traditional anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory remedy across many medical traditions. USDA zones 8–12
Ginseng — American Panax quinquefolius – North American cousin of Asian ginseng — cooler-climate, gentler tonic, and historically over-harvested from eastern US deciduous forests. USDA zones 3–7
Ginseng — Asian (Korean) Panax ginseng – The original Korean ginseng — slow-growing forest understorey perennial. Roots are among the most prized adaptogens in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine. USDA zones 4–8
Goldenseal Hydrastis canadensis – Eastern North American woodland perennial. Yellow rhizomes carry berberine — antimicrobial and astringent — and have been so heavily wild-harvested the species is now endangered. USDA zones 3–8
Greek windflower Anemone blanda – Low spreading Mediterranean tuber with starry daisy-like flowers in blue, pink or white above ferny foliage, carpeting the ground in earliest spring. USDA zones 5–9
Hellebore Helleborus orientalis – Winter-flowering shade perennial with leathery evergreen leaves and nodding flowers. USDA zones 4–9
Hosta ‘Elegans’ Hosta sieboldiana ‘Elegans’ – Selected cultivar of the large blue-leaved Siebold hosta, with broad heart-shaped heavily corrugated steel-blue leaves up to 30 cm across. Pale lilac flowers in summer are secondary to the dramatic foliage. USDA zones 3–8
Hosta ‘Patriot’ Hosta ‘Patriot’ – Mid-sized hosta cultivar with dark green leaves boldly margined in brilliant white, providing one of the strongest variegation contrasts of any hosta. Hosta of the Year (USA) 1997. USDA zones 3–8
Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ – Enormous chartreuse-gold-leaved hosta cultivar reaching 1.5 m across at maturity, with thick crinkled leaves up to 45 cm across. One of the largest and most pest-resistant hostas in cultivation. USDA zones 3–9
Hostas Hosta spp. – Shade-loving perennials grown primarily for their bold patterned foliage. USDA zones 3–9
Ivy-leaved cyclamen Cyclamen hederifolium – Carpet-forming tuberous cyclamen with intricately silver-marbled ivy-shaped leaves and pink or white shuttlecock flowers from late summer well into autumn. Flowers appear before the new leaves. USDA zones 5–9
Jack-in-the-pulpit Arisaema triphyllum – Distinctive eastern North American woodland perennial with a hooded green-and-purple striped flower spathe (the pulpit) curving over a central spadix (Jack). Emerges with the spring ephemerals but persists longer. USDA zones 4–9
Japanese anemone Anemone × hybrida – Tall herbaceous perennial with branched stems carrying simple bowl-shaped pink or white flowers above mounded dark foliage from late summer well into autumn. USDA zones 4–8
Japanese aralia Fatsia japonica – Bold evergreen Japanese shrub with very large glossy palmate leaves and unusual rounded umbel flower clusters in late autumn followed by black berries. The premier large-leaved foliage shrub for shade. USDA zones 8–10
Japanese forest grass Hakonechloa macra – Japanese woodland grass forming low arching mounds of cascading green foliage like flowing water. The cultivar ‘Aureola’ adds gold foliage with green pinstripes, glowing in dappled shade. USDA zones 5–9
Japanese maple ‘Osakazuki’ Acer palmatum ‘Osakazuki’ – Acer palmatum cultivar consistently rated by horticulturists as the single most reliable Japanese maple for brilliant scarlet autumn colour. Larger and more vigorous than most palmatum cultivars. USDA zones 5–8
Japanese painted fern Athyrium niponicum var. pictum – Japanese deciduous fern with finely divided fronds in striking silver-grey, burgundy, and green tones — one of the most ornamentally coloured ferns in cultivation. Perennial Plant of the Year (USA) 2004. USDA zones 4–8
Large white trillium Trillium grandiflorum – Iconic eastern North American spring ephemeral with large pure white three-petalled flowers above a whorl of three leaves. Emerges, flowers and goes dormant before the woodland canopy fully closes. USDA zones 4–8
Laurustinus Viburnum tinus – Dense evergreen Mediterranean shrub with pink-budded white flower clusters from late autumn through to spring, followed by metallic blue-black berries. USDA zones 7–10
Lemon aspen Acronychia acidula – Tropical Queensland rainforest tree bearing pale, sharply citrus-flavoured fruit used as a bush food. USDA zones 10–12
Lesser celandine Ficaria verna – Low spreading native spring ephemeral with glossy heart-shaped leaves and brilliant yellow buttercup flowers in earliest spring. Dies back completely by early summer. USDA zones 4–8
Lily of the valley Convallaria majalis – Diminutive shade perennial with paired broad leaves and arching stems of small intensely fragrant pendant white bells in late spring. Among the most powerfully fragrant flowers in the temperate garden. USDA zones 3–8
Lily turf Liriope muscari – East Asian evergreen perennial with dense tufts of grass-like dark green leaves and spires of small purple flowers like grape hyacinths in autumn, followed by black berries. USDA zones 5–10
Liverleaf Hepatica nobilis – Diminutive evergreen woodland perennial with three-lobed leathery leaves and starry blue, pink or white flowers in earliest spring, often before the new leaves emerge. USDA zones 4–8
Lungwort Pulmonaria saccharata – Central European woodland perennial with rough silver-spotted oblong leaves and small clusters of flowers that open pink and age to blue, often with both colours on the same stem in mid-spring. USDA zones 4–8
Martagon lily (Turk’s cap lily) Lilium martagon – European mountain native lily with whorls of broad leaves and tall stems carrying many small downward-facing flowers with strongly recurved petals (Turk’s cap form) in dusty pink or white speckled with darker spots. USDA zones 3–8
Masterwort Astrantia major – Cottage-garden perennial with intricate flower heads of tiny florets ringed by papery bracts in pale pink, white or deep ruby — like miniature Victorian posies on wiry stems. USDA zones 4–7
Midland hawthorn Crataegus laevigata – Native small tree of ancient woodland and old hedgerows, very similar to common hawthorn but more shade-tolerant and slightly earlier flowering. USDA zones 4–8
Mitsuba Cryptotaenia japonica – Shade-loving East Asian woodland herb (Japanese parsley) with a mild parsley-celery flavour. USDA zones 4–9
Myoga ginger Zingiber mioga – A hardier, shade-loving ginger grown for its aromatic edible flower buds and shoots. USDA zones 6–9
Native fuchsia Correa reflexa – Small Australian shrub with rough hairy leaves and pendant tubular red, cream or green flowers through autumn and winter. USDA zones 8–10
Native pepperberry Tasmannia insipida – Rainforest pepperberry from eastern Australia with mildly peppery fruit and leaves used as a spice. USDA zones 9–10
Native sarsaparilla Hardenbergia violacea – Twining Australian native climber or trailing ground cover with leathery leaves and sprays of small purple pea flowers in late winter and early spring. USDA zones 8–11
Northern sea oats Chasmanthium latifolium – Eastern North American native woodland-edge grass with broad bamboo-like leaves and flat oat-like green seed heads that hang on slender stems, ageing through bronze to tan and persisting through winter. USDA zones 3–8
NSW native ginger Alpinia caerulea – Clumping rainforest-understorey perennial from eastern Australia with edible blue berries and aromatic shoots. USDA zones 9–10
Oregon grape Mahonia aquifolium – Evergreen shrub with glossy holly-like leaves, fragrant yellow winter flower clusters and clusters of grape-like blue-black berries in summer. USDA zones 5–8
Partridgeberry Mitchella repens – Trailing evergreen ground cover of eastern North American forests. Bright red berries and small white twin flowers. Traditional indigenous childbirth-preparation herb. USDA zones 3–9
Peppermint pelargonium Pelargonium tomentosum – South African pelargonium with very large velvety silver-grey leaves that release a strong cool peppermint fragrance when brushed, and small white flowers through summer. USDA zones 9–11
Persian shield Strobilanthes dyerianus – Tropical Burmese (Myanmar) perennial with striking iridescent metallic purple-and-green leaves marked with silver. Foliage is the entire ornamental point — flowers are insignificant. USDA zones 9–11
Pigsqueak (Elephant ears) Bergenia cordifolia – Robust central Asian perennial with broad rounded leathery evergreen leaves that often turn deep red-purple in cold weather, and dense clusters of pink, magenta, or white flowers on stout stems in spring. USDA zones 3–8
Pipevine (Dutchman’s pipe) Aristolochia macrophylla – Vigorous deciduous climber with very large heart-shaped leaves and curious pipe-shaped flowers. Grown both as a screen and as a butterfly host. USDA zones 4–8
Pipsissewa Chimaphila umbellata – Low evergreen woodland sub-shrub with whorled glossy leaves and pink waxy flowers. Traditional urinary tract herb of North American Indigenous peoples. USDA zones 3–7
Primrose Primula vulgaris – Clump-forming native woodland-edge perennial with pale yellow flowers held just above a rosette of crinkled leaves. One of the very first flowers of spring. USDA zones 4–8
Red berry saltbush Einadia hastata – Scrambling hardy Australian subshrub with small, sweet, edible red berries. USDA zones 8–10
Red campion Silene dioica – Native woodland-edge perennial with deep pink five-petalled flowers. Often the first splash of colour beside emerging bluebells in spring woodland. USDA zones 3–8
Red trillium (Wakerobin) Trillium erectum – Eastern North American spring ephemeral with three deep maroon-red petals above a whorl of three broad leaves. Flowers just as the first warblers return — hence the alternative common name Wakerobin. USDA zones 4–9
Selfheal Prunella vulgaris – Low creeping perennial with short violet flower spikes. Tough enough to flower in a mown lawn and a reliable forage plant for short-tongued bees. USDA zones 3–8
Siberian bugloss Brunnera macrophylla – Caucasian woodland perennial with large heart-shaped leaves (silvered in named cultivars like ‘Jack Frost’) and airy clouds of true-blue forget-me-not-like flowers in mid-spring. USDA zones 3–7
Skullcap — American Scutellaria lateriflora – Slender mint-family perennial of moist North American woodlands. Aerial parts traditionally used as a calming nervine. USDA zones 4–8
Snowdrop Galanthus nivalis – Nodding white winter bulb that often pierces snow to flower. Naturalises freely in woodland, hedge banks and short grass. USDA zones 3–8
Soft shield fern Polystichum setiferum – Evergreen British native fern with arching feathery soft-textured fronds, finely divided and gracefully curved. Among the most reliable evergreen ferns for shade gardens. USDA zones 6–9
Solomon's seal Polygonatum biflorum – Arching woodland perennial with paired white pendant flowers under each leaf node. Rhizomes used in folk medicine for connective-tissue and joint support. USDA zones 3–8
Strawberry — Alpine Fragaria vesca – Tiny woodland-edge perennial producing intensely flavoured berries through spring and summer. Tolerates partial shade; self-seeds gently. USDA zones 3–10
Sweet box Sarcococca confusa – Glossy evergreen shrub with tiny white flowers of astonishing fragrance in deepest winter, followed by glossy black berries. The fragrance carries on cold still air to surprising distances. USDA zones 6–9
Sweet cicely Myrrhis odorata – Tall ferny-leaved European umbellifer with broad flat heads of white spring flowers and aniseed-scented leaves. A traditional cottage-garden ornamental and a kitchen-garden sweetener. USDA zones 5–7
Sweet violet Viola odorata – Low-growing ground cover with intensely fragrant deep-purple flowers in earliest spring. Flowers and leaves edible and medicinal. USDA zones 3–8
Toad lily Tricyrtis hirta – Japanese woodland perennial with arching stems carrying small star-shaped white flowers spotted purple — like miniature orchids — in mid-autumn. One of the last shade perennials to flower. USDA zones 4–8
Trout lily (Dogtooth violet) Erythronium americanum – Diminutive eastern North American spring ephemeral with mottled leaves and nodding pale yellow flowers, reflexing back like miniature turkscap lilies. USDA zones 3–8
Tuberous begonia Begonia × tuberhybrida – Tender summer-flowering tuberous begonia with large camellia-like double flowers in red, pink, yellow, orange, or white. The standard hanging-basket and shade-bedding plant of summer in mild climates. USDA zones 9–11
Two-leaf squill Scilla bifolia – Small bulb with star-shaped deep blue flowers held above just two strap-like leaves, opening with the snowdrops or shortly after in earliest spring. USDA zones 4–8
Virginia bluebells Mertensia virginica – Eastern North American spring ephemeral with pendant clusters of pink-budded sky-blue trumpet flowers above blue-green leaves. Whole plant disappears completely by midsummer. USDA zones 3–8
Western red cedar Thuja plicata – Tall conifer of Pacific Northwest temperate rainforest, reaching 65 m, with the principal lightweight rot-resistant timber of the region. Used for weatherboarding, shingles, and the carved cedar of Pacific Northwest First Nations. USDA zones 5–7
White dead nettle Lamium album – Spreading perennial with nettle-shaped leaves but no sting, bearing whorls of hooded white flowers from earliest spring well into autumn. USDA zones 3–8
Wild ginger (North American) Asarum canadense – Heart-leaved woodland ground cover with hidden purple-brown flowers at ground level. Aromatic rhizome smells like ginger but is botanically unrelated. USDA zones 3–8
Winter aconite Eranthis hyemalis – Low buttercup-yellow flower with a green leafy ruff, opening with the snowdrops in the depths of winter. Carpet-forming under deciduous trees. USDA zones 4–8
Wintergreen Gaultheria procumbens – Low evergreen North American groundcover for cool, moist, acidic shade, with red wintergreen-flavoured berries. USDA zones 3–7
Wood anemone Anemone nemorosa – Carpet-forming native woodland perennial with starry white flowers (sometimes flushed pink) above deeply cut leaves in mid-spring. An indicator species of ancient British woodland. USDA zones 4–8
Woodland crocus (Tommies) Crocus tommasinianus – Slender lavender-purple crocus that naturalises into great sheets under deciduous trees. Among the earliest crocuses and notable for being largely ignored by squirrels. USDA zones 3–8

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