20 Best Annuals for Shade
Begonia
Jacky Parker Photography//Getty ImagesBegonias bloom continuously until a hard frost, and you never have to fuss with pinching off spent blooms (called “deadheading”) to keep them going. They come in an array of gorgeous colors from palest pink to hot and spicy orange.
2Sweet Potato Vine
Norma Chambers//Getty ImagesThis hardy vine is grown for its beautiful leaves in shades of burgundy or chartreuse. Give it plenty of space because this vigorous grower tends to take over the pot when planted with other annuals.
3Torenia
marinowifi//Getty ImagesThese purple, white, or pink annuals, which resemble snapdragons, attract hummingbirds. They’re perfect for window boxes! Plant them alone or in a mixed container to drape over the sides.
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4Coleus
DigiPub//Getty ImagesColeus comes in every imaginable color ranging from lime green to deep burgundy with flat or frilly leaves. They're available in many different heights, and some will take a little sun, too.
5Dichondra
vsanderson//Getty ImagesThis silvery, cascading plant doesn't mind the heat, and it looks amazing tumbling out of baskets and window boxes. It will take part sun.
6Stock
MARIA MOSOLOVA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY//Getty ImagesA favorite in Victorian gardens, this flower's sweet scent will show you exactly why it was once so popular! It's not easy to find as plants, so you likely will have to grow from seed.
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7New Guinea Impatiens
Jeanne Emmel//Getty ImagesThis type of impatiens is more disease resistant than other kinds of impatiens, which have succumbed to powdery mildew in recent years. The upright plants with large flowers do best in shade, though they will take a little sun if you keep them watered.
Polka Dot Plant
silviopl//Getty ImagesFun spotted foliage in shades of white, red, or pink make these heat-tolerant plants a winner for dressing up shady spots. They’re great potted alone or in a mixed container for a splash of color. Bring them indoors for winter as a houseplant in cold climates.
9Browallia
Chris Brown Photography/ Proven WinnersThe pure white or brilliant blue flowers on this plant bloom profusely and love the heat. They look best in hanging baskets or mixed with other shade-lovers in containers.
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10Lobelia
Liudmyla LiudmylaBlue, purple, or white lobelia is so pretty cascading over the sides of containers or hanging baskets. It likes part shade and blooms best before nighttime temperatures get too warm; if it starts to look shaggy, trim it back and it will revive when cool weather returns.
11Caladium
Zen Rial//Getty ImagesHuge heart-shaped leaves make this a favorite accent plant. The colors are so brilliant that they almost don't look like real plants! You can enjoy caladiums as annuals, or dig up the tubers before a hard freeze, store them in a cool, dry place, and save them to plant again next spring after all threat of frost is past.
12Nemesia
Hana-PhotoThese adorable plants look like teeny orchids. Nemesia likes sun, but when nighttime temperatures stay in the 70s, they’re not happy. Give them afternoon shade to keep them blooming from spring to frost.
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13Balsam
3283197d_273//Getty ImagesThis heirloom flower was well-loved by the Victorians. They bloom early and profusely. Masses of flowers on sturdy stems make this a lovely cut flower, too, and they look right at home in cottage or country gardens.
Sweet Alyssum
Pinrath Phanpradith//Getty ImagesThis low-growing annual will tolerate part sun and is beautiful planted in masses. It has a slightly sweet fragrance and will keep going until frost. Some types self-sow, so it may return next year. Pollinators love it!
15Bacopa
vsanderson//Getty ImagesTiny blue, white, or pink flowers trail along this plant spring to fall. Mix it with other annuals for a beautiful display in containers or window boxes.
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16Fuchsia
Pierre-Yves Babelon//Getty ImagesThese plants have stunning flowers in eye-catching shades of purple, red, or pink. They’re gorgeous draping over hanging pots. Hummingbirds and butterflies adore them.
17Viola
Michael Hollestelle / EyeEm//Getty ImagesEven though they’re technically annuals, most types of violas drop loads of seeds, so they often pop up again next spring. They do fine in spring sunshine, but by summer, the heat’s too much for them. Plant in the shade if you want them to make it past June. Bonus: They're edible and gorgeous on salads and cakes!
18Cineraria
Elena Odareeva//Getty ImagesMore often seen as a houseplant, this shade-lover blooms in brilliant blues, reds, and pinks with white accents. They drop lots of seeds, so they may return next year.
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19Nicotiana
Andrei Selikatov//Getty ImagesAlso known as flowering tobacco, this pretty annual drops lots of seeds so it will return next year. Its sweetly-scented flowers open in the evening or during cool times of day.
20Tradescantia
Greenseas//Getty ImagesGrown for its pretty foliage, this plant is often seen as a houseplant. But you also can plant it in shady outdoor gardens, too! In warmer climates, it's a perennial.
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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