LHAP 304 - Shade Plants

1. LHAP 304 - S.H.P - Shade Plants

2. ASTERACEAE

• Family

3. The ASTERACEAE Family (Aster Family)

Inflorescence is called Head or Capitulum - with Ray (Ligulate / Strap) and/or Disc (tube) florets

• Mature Fruit is an Achene
• SHALLOW NECTARIES

4. Ligularia dentata

• Ligularia

Most often this plant is referred to with its cultivar name, for example, “Othello Ligularia”

Origin: China Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Shade to part shade

Soil Conditions: High organic content, moist

5. Ligularia dentata - Ligularia

FOLIAGE

Texture - simple, alternate, basal, petiolate. Large. Margins are dentate

Colour - Dark green top with purple underside Other - Wilts in direct sunlight

6. Ligularia dentata - Ligularia

FORM

Height and Spread - About 1m x 1m (definitely larger in consistently moist, organic soils)

Root Type - clumping Shape - Rounded

7. Ligularia dentata - Ligularia

Flower

Type - Corymb Colour - yellow or Orange Season of Bloom - Late Summer

• Other - sweetly fragrant

8. Ligularia dentata - Ligularia

Landscape Use

• Contrast plant
• Shade gardens
• Height/textural interest Accent or Mass planting

Winter interest (dry flower only) Sensory garden (smell)

9. This example is Britt Marie Crawford (cultivar) - note the even darker...

This example is Britt Marie Crawford (cultivar) - note the even darker leaves and rich coloured underside.

It pairs nicely with Bergenia as its slow to come up in spring.

10. Ligularia dentata - Ligularia

Maintenance Considerations

• Wilts in direct sunlight
• Can be slow to establish

Purchased as #2 often Slug and Hail Damage

11. Hail

• Damage

12. Ligularia stenocephala

• Ligularia

Although also always referred to by cultivar, this is only ever The Rocket or Little Rocket Ligularia.

Origin: China Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Shade to part shade

Soil Conditions: High organic content, moist

13. Ligularia stenocephala - Ligularia (The Rocket/Little Rocket)

FOLIAGE

Texture - simple, alternate, basal, petiolate. Large. Margins are deeply indented

Colour - Medium Green Other - Wilts in the sun.

14. Ligularia stenocephala

Ligularia (The Rocket/Little Rocket) FORM

Height and Spread - variable by species - greater than 1m x 1m

Root Type - clumping Shape - Upright Oval - flowers rise above foliage

15. Ligularia stenocephala - Ligularia (The Rocket/Little Rocket)

Flower

Type - Raceme Colour - Bright Yellow Season of Bloom - Mid-late summer.

Other - can be a bit unattractive as the top is either not flowering yet or the bottom is finished. (see next slide)

16. Photo taken late July 2024. North facing sideyard (deep shade most of the day)

Photo taken late July 2024. North facing sideyard (deep shade most of the day).

17. Ligularia stenocephala - Ligularia (The Rocket/Little Rocket)

Landscape Use

The same as Ligularia dentata - there’s no real functional difference, it’s more aesthetics:

Flower colour, Plant shape, Leaf margin and colour.

And this one flowers a little earlier in the season.

You may be less likely to use it as a winter interest as you may cutback the spent inflorescence.

18. Ligularia stenocephala - Ligularia (The Rocket/Little Rocket)

Maintenance Considerations

Wilts in direct sunlight (maybe a little less than L. dentata)

• Can be slow to establish

Purchased as #2 often Slug and Hail Damage The same as Ligularia dentata

19. The RANUNCULACEAE

(Buttercup) Family POISON!!!

• Plant contains poisonous or toxic compounds

20. Showy flowers, medium to large in size to attract pollinators

• Many stamens

Petals may evolve into spurred nectaries Petals may evolve into hoods

• No Hypanthium

Often leaves are lobed or highly incised / fine(er) texture

21. Actaea racemosa - Bugbane

Origin: Asia/Siberia Hardiness Zone: 3/4 Exposure: Full sun to Part Shade

Soil Conditions: Moist, well drained soil

22. Actaea racemosa - Bugbane

FOLIAGE

Texture - Relatively fine textured, Bipinnately compound leaves

Colour - Dark Green to Purple, purple stems.

FORM

Height and Spread - 1.5 m x .5 m Growth Habit - Clumping

• Shape - Oval

23. Note the relative sizes:

Mature Bugbane in the back (not yet in flower) Rocket Ligularia in mid level

Othello Ligularia in the front row (not yet in flower)

24. Stems purple

Leaves compound in 3’s - borders on bipinnately compound.

Leaflets serrate - deeply incised.

25. Actaea racemosa - Bugbane

Flower

Type - Raceme (racemosa) Colour - White/pink Season of Bloom - Late Summer

• Other - sweetly fragrant

26. Actaea racemosa - Bugbane

Landscape Use

• Shade Plant
• Textural contrast
• Accent Colour
• Rabbit Browse resistant

27. Actaea racemosa - Bugbane

Maintenance Considerations

Marginal hardiness?

• Slow establishment

Expensive to purchase (comes in #2 size usually).

28. The PAPAVERACEAE Family

Order: Ranunculales Subfamilies: Poppies and Fumatories

(subfamilies are further divided into tribes) Plants with laticifers - yielding a milky juice

Alternate leaves, usually deeply incised MANY stamens in 2 whorls

Fruit is a capsule (1 chamber many seeds)

29. Dicentra spectabilis - Bleeding Heart

Origin: Siberia, Japan Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Full to part shade

Soil Conditions: Moist, well drained, organic soil

Significant Features...

30. Dicentra spectabilis - Bleeding Heart

31. Dicentra spectabilis - Bleeding Heart

• Identifying Features

FOLIAGE

Texture - Medium textured Colour - Green (cultivar dependent)

Other - Will not tolerate wind, leaves die back mid summer.

32. Dicentra spectabilis - Bleeding Heart

• Identifying Features

FORM

Height and Spread - 60 - 90cm x 50 -75cm

Root Type - Fleshy rhizome Shape - Round, oval

33. Root: spongey/ fleshy rhizome - needs oxygen, divides easily

Root: spongey/ fleshy rhizome - needs oxygen, divides easily.

34. Dicentra spectabilis - Bleeding Heart

• Identifying Features

Flower

Type - Pendulous, heart shaped Colour - Pink, white, red

Season of Bloom - Spring/Early Summer!

• Other - Very Elegant

35. Flowering time:

Lupins & Asiatic Poppies blooming at the same time.

Trees in full leaf.

36. Dicentra spectabilis - Bleeding Heart

Landscape Use

Background / Accent Spring feature Cottage Gardens

• Specimen (not mass plant)

37. Dicentra spectabilis - Bleeding Heart

Maintenance Considerations

Cut back in mid summer to get a second flush of foliage

Plant with summer bloomers Can suffer stem and root rots

38. Bleeding Heart Maintenance.

Photo on the left: Scraggly growth ONLY cut back (note Siberian Iris in the back, also not cut back)

Photo on the right: Fully cut back to the ground after flowering (in July). Note the height of the second flush, ca. 1m round.

39. @Olds College - East facing bed, by west doors of Land Science

@Olds College - East facing bed, by west doors of Land Science.

40. Dicentra eximia -

• Fern Leaf Bleeding Heart

41. Dicentra eximia - Fern Leaf Bleeding Heart

Highlights, compared to D. spectabilis

• MORE shade tolerant

MUCH smaller (30 cm top height vs almost 1m) Finer Textured

Does not need to be cut back (foliage stays green through summer)

Extended period of bloom (some cultivars are early summer with rebloom, some can be mid summer to frost).

• Potentially less hardy

Some people don’t like the flowers as much as the Old Fashioned

42. Dicentra eximia - Fern Leaf Bleeding Heart

Landscape Use

Mid to front of bed, specimen.

• Textural contrast

43. Flowering time corresponding with the peonies

44. The SAXIFRAGACEAE Family

Mostly Perennial, herbaceous plants Native primarily to northern, cold and temperate climates

45. Flower cluster rises above a basal whorl of leaves…

Regular flower with equal amounts of 4 - 5 petals & sepals and 5 - 10 stamens

• Pistil divided
• Fruit = Capsule full of seeds

46. Second Year Review - Heuchera

47. Heuchera species - Coral Bells

Highlights

Hardiness Zone: 2-3

Exposure: Part shade to full sun.

Soil: Well-drained, organic loam.

Foliage: Many colours, scalloped Form: Basal cluster, spreads weakly, rising inflorescence

Flower: Cymose panicle, pink to nearly red, summer blooming (june - august)

Use: Rock gardens, accent, protected spaces.

48. On to the new plants…

49. Astilbe species - Astilbe

Origin: Asia Hardiness Zone: 2 - 3

Exposure: Full or Part Sun to Part or Full Shade

Soil Conditions: Moist/Well drained

50. Astilbe species - Astilbe

FOLIAGE

Texture - Bipinnately compound, relatively fine texture, Margins very serrate

• Colour - Green

51. Astilbe species - Astilbe

FORM

Height and Spread - 30 cm x 30 cm.

Growth Habit - Clumping Shape - Low Oval

52. Astilbe species - Astilbe

Flower

Type - Tight, plume-like panicles (branched raceme)

Colour - Pink or White primarily. Violets & Reds now

Season of Bloom - Summer Other - light fragrance

53. Astilbe species - Astilbe

Landscape Use

• Shade Plant
• Textural Contrast

Deer and Rabbit Browse resistant A. Chinensis - more drought tolerant

Maintenance Considerations

• Needs moist, organic soils

54. So. Which is which??

55. Also a SAXIFRAGACEAE….

56. Bergenia - Bergenia

Origin: Siberia Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Full sun to Full Shade

Soil Conditions: Adapted to any well drained soil

Significant Features...

57. Bergenia species - Bergenia

FOLIAGE

Texture - Broad, leathery, glabrous Colour - Green, then red in fall

Other - Evergreen!

58. FORM:

Height and Spread - 30cm x 25-30 cm

Root Type - Thick Tuber-like stem and polite rhizomes

Shape - Low Growing Clump Bergenia species - Bergenia

59. Flower:

Type - Nodding Cyme Colour - Pink hues Season of Bloom - Late May (Spring - Early Summer)

Other - Flowers held on knee high stems Longer lasting flower than some other species.

• Bergenia species - Bergenia

60. Landscape Use:

• Front of Border
• Used en masse and alone

Rock / Alpine Garden Leaves in Floristry Sensory (touch and sound)

• Bergenia species - Bergenia

61. Maintenance Considerations:

Do not cut back the foliage unless it is dead (evergreen)

• Check in spring

Cut back flowerheads when finished Bergenia species - Bergenia

62. An old stand beside a spruce tree - note the cotoneaster in...

An old stand beside a spruce tree - note the cotoneaster in full flower, but the ninebark hasn’t even started yet.

Grass still semi dormant.

63. East facing planting - note the proximity of Ligularia and Bird’s Nest Spruce!

Bergenia is compact and tidy.

Daylilies flowering! (they don’t need a lot of sun).

64. The APIACEAE (Carrot/Parsley) Family

Usually aromatic plants with hollow stems 300 genera and more than 3,000 species!

• Parsley
• Dill
• Anise
• Lovage
• Parsnip
• Fennel
• Carrot
• Coriander
• Cumin
• Poison Hemlock
• Carway
• Celery
• Angelica
• Chervil

65. Spotted Water-hemlock

A very dangerous Apiaceae found growing in Alberta (Cicutoxin poison bearing roots / stem)

Found in wet, marshy habitats (looks like water parsnip but has compound leaves and a purple streaked stem).

66. APIACEAE

Fruits are ridged and made of 2 parts that split at maturity…

67. Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’

• Variegated Goutweed

Origin: Europe Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: ANY! (Shade, Part Shade, Full Sun)

Soil Conditions: Widely adapted to most soils Significant Features...

68. Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’ - Variegated Goutweed

Some clients will also refer to this plant as:

• “Snow on the Mountain”

69. Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’

Variegated Goutweed - Identifying Features FOLIAGE

Texture - Bi-ternately Compound with broadly ovate leaflets. Slightly scalloped margins

Colour - Light green with white margins.

Other - Foliage is attractive, but when unkempt it can be mowed. When crushed, has a slightly herby smell.

70. Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’

Variegated Goutweed - Identifying Features FORM

Height and Spread - 40 cm (16”) x 1.5 m PLUS (5’)

Root Type - Aggressive rhizomes Shape - Clumping (very quickly!)

71. Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’

Variegated Goutweed - Identifying Features Flower

Type - Umbel Colour - White Season of Bloom - Early to Mid Summer

• Other - not showy

72. Note: growing into the lawn.

73. Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’

• Variegated Goutweed

Landscape Use

Anywhere that quick coverage is key Erosion Control

Places that are hard to establish Mass Plantings (MUST be)

• Deer and Rabbit resistant

74. Formation of a forest floor - out competing other weeds, creating variegation / contrast

Formation of a forest floor - out competing other weeds, creating variegation / contrast.

75. Aegopodium podagraria ‘Variegatum’

• Variegated Goutweed

Maintenance Considerations

Contain it! - chemical control is often required

(consider planting monocots) Cut it back in the Fall

Rogue out green leafed Species.

76. The ROSACEAE

• Family

What do we know from this family?

77. Tasty Fruit (Drupes & Drupelets, Pomes, & Achenes)

• Often Thorny
• Many stamens on flowers
• Usually woody

Leaves usually alternate (may be palmate or compound)

• Compound leaflets often ovate and serrate

78. Alchemilla mollis - Lady’s Mantle

Origin: Asia Minor Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Partial Shade - Full sun

Soil Conditions: cool, moist, fertile soil Significant Features...

79. Alchemilla mollis

• Lady’s Mantle

80. Alchemilla mollis - Lady’s Mantle

FOLIAGE

Texture - Palmate leaf, scalloped margin, pleated, pubescent.

• Colour - Rich green

Other - Leaves are partially cupped at maturity and trap water

81. Alchemilla mollis - Lady’s Mantle

• Identifying Features

FORM

Height and Spread - 25 cm (leaves only) x 60 cm. Dwarf versions are available

Root Type - fibrous Shape/habit - Clumping

82. Alchemilla mollis - Lady’s Mantle

• Identifying Features

Flower

Type - Compound Cyme, showy sepals. Apetalous.

Colour - Chartreuse Season of Bloom - early-mid July (Mid Summer)

83. Alchemilla mollis - Lady’s Mantle

Landscape Use

• Middle of the border

Mass planting, or small groupings Sensory Garden (touch)

Textural contrast (combine with hosta?) Cut flower or dried

84. Alchemilla mollis - Lady’s Mantle

Maintenance Considerations

Some do not like the flower / shear when finished

Spider mites when environment is too dry Margins scorch in inadequate moisture

• Divide periodically

Water with dissolved particulates will show (fertigation not great)

85. 4 Subfamilies:

Asparagus, Beargrass Brodiaea, Agave - adaptable!

Flower parts in 3s Well adapted to environments Monocots

• Rising Inflorescence
• ASPARAGACEAE

86. Hosta species and cultivars - Hosta

Origin: Japan, Korea, China Hardiness Zone: 2 Exposure: Full shade to Full sun

Soil Conditions: Well drained, highly organic loam.

Significant Features...

87. Hosta species and cultivars - Hosta

88. Hosta species and cultivars - Hosta

FOLIAGE

Texture - Broad, simple leaves. Petiolate Basal cluster. Margins entire

Colour - Greens, white, yellow, some with variegation

Other - Veins somewhat puckered.

Some cultivars have narrower leaves, some are now wavy

89. Hosta species and cultivars - Hosta

FORM

Height and Spread - 25 - 150 cm tall and wide

Root Type - Fleshy fibrous Shape/habit - Clumping / Round

90. Hosta species and cultivars - Hosta

Flower

Type - trumpet shaped flower on (usually) tall raceme

Colour - purples & white (assume purple) Season of Bloom - usually mid Summer

Other - double forms available.

91. Lower photos taken late July 2024 - a “year of the Aphid”...

Lower photos taken late July 2024 - a “year of the Aphid” - flower colour ranges from pale violet to dark violet, sometimes white. Height is typically proportional to size of plant.

Photo above - slow establishing - photo taken June 11 2025 - some are still barely out of the ground.

92. Hosta species and cultivars - Hosta

Landscape Use

Front - mid En Masse (mix cvs) or alone Woodlands

Moist shady sites.

• Foliage contrast
• Sensory touch (underside of leaf)

93. Hosta species and cultivars - Hosta

Maintenance Considerations

SLUGS & Hail Cut back in Fall Pips can be slow to show

• Cut off finished scapes

94. The LAMIACEAE Family - Mint Family!

Another Family you likely know well containing

• Hemp nettle
• Deadnettle

As well as

• Lavender
• Mint
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Savory
• Marjoram
• Oregano
• Thyme

Leaves are opposite/whorled arrangement Stems are square

Frequently aromatic with essential oils Easy to propagate from cuttings

95. Lamium maculatum -

Lamium / Spotted Dead Nettle Origin: Europe Hardiness Zone: 2

Exposure: Full to part Shade Soil Conditions: Well drained, moist soil

Significant Features...

96. Lamium maculatum - Lamium

Some know it as “Spotted Dead Nettle”, but it is most commonly referred to in Industry as Lamium.

97. FOLIAGE:

Texture - Leaves opposite, simple, and ovate with acute apex. Margins serrate, leaves tomentose. Overall effect rugose/rough to touch.

Colour - Dark green with silver strip Other - SQUARE STEM. Strong herby aroma when crushed.

Lamium maculatum - Lamium / Spotted Dead Nettle

98. FORM:

Height and Spread - 15 cm x 90 cm Root Type - aggressive fibrous root

Shape - Mat forming Lamium maculatum - Lamium / Spotted Dead Nettle

99. Flower:

Type - axillary clusters Colour - pink, white, yellow

Season of Bloom - Crossover plant: early summer to Fall.

Lamium maculatum - Lamium / Spotted Dead Nettle

100. Landscape Use:

• Brightens shady areas

Groundcover / front of perennial beds Rock Garden (tumbling over walls) or Forest Floor

Lamium maculatum - Lamium / Spotted Dead Nettle

101. North east facing, full shade bed

North east facing, full shade bed. Used as a groundcover with… which other shade plants?

102. Lamium maculatum - Lamium

Maintenance Considerations

Dries out quickly - should mulch it Evergreen

103. Example bottom left

Example bottom left: not great - it’s just a thing that’s alive in the planter… right is much better as a shade area groundcover in a challenging location (next to sidewalk and under hydrant)

104. Another LAMIACEAE

105. Ajuga reptans - Bugleweed / Ajuga

Origin: Europe/North Africa/Asia Hardiness Zone: 2

Exposure: officially full sun - part shade Soil Conditions: Widely adapted.

106. Ajuga reptans - Bugleweed / Ajuga

FOLIAGE

Texture - Fine textured, glossy foliage, scalloped margins.

• Colour - Green/Purple, variegated form available

Other - Evergreen FORM

Height and Spread - 15 cm, indefinite

Root Type - Creeping, Mat form, Shallow roots, Can be invasive.

107. Ajuga reptans - Bugleweed

Flower

Type - Typical LAMIACEAE flower, in spikes Colour - Blue/Purple (what IS blue?)

• Season of Bloom - Early Summer

108. Ajuga reptans - Bugleweed

Landscape Use

• Rock Garden
• Ground Cover
• Shade Garden
• Green Roof

Maintenance Considerations

• Evergreen
• Potentially invasive
• Drought tolerant

Deer and Rabbit browse resistant.

109. Bugleweed in Rocky Mountain House…

110. The APOCYNACEAE Family (Dogbane)

Includes 424 genera and 1500 species!

4 Subfamilies:

• Rauvolfioideae
• Apocynoideae
• Secamonoideae
• Asclepiadoideae

111. Mostly tropical

Milky sap = poison Simple, opposite leaves Lobed calyx / corolla

• Pairs of pods

112. Vinca minor

• Periwinkle

Origin: Europe Hardiness Zone: 3 Exposure: Part shade to full sun

Soil Conditions: Organic, well drained loam Significant Features...

113. Vinca minor

Periwinkle - Identifying Features FOLIAGE

Texture - Fine, with simple glabrous leaves

Colour - Species is green, but variegated cultivars are available

Other - Leaves are glossy, and evergreen

114. Vinca minor

Periwinkle - Identifying Features FORM

Height and Spread - 15 cm (6”) x 1 - 2 m (up to 6’!)

Root Type - fibrous with stolons Shape - Mat forming Ground Cover

115. A very low maintenance application - it is slow / doesn’t really...

A very low maintenance application - it is slow / doesn’t really compete with lawn.

116. Vinca minor

Periwinkle - Identifying Features Flower

Type - Solitary, lobed Colour - blue flowers on trailing stems,

Season of Bloom - Most in Early Summer (can start in spring and carry on to Fall)

117. Vinca minor

• Periwinkle

Landscape Use

Part Shade sites (striking blue flower) Erosion Control

• Containers / Walls Deer resistant

118. Protected East Facing Perwinkle, May 2022 - most likely last year’s buds that overwintered!

119. Vinca minor - Periwinkle

• Maintenance

Requires little care after establishment Spring Cleanup needed

Good competition with weeds Becomes littered with leaves

120. Second Year Review BORAGINACEAE

121. Pulmonaria saccharata Lungwort

Highlights

Hardiness Zone: 2-3

Exposure: full sun/ part shade*

Soil: cool, moisture holding, high organic, well drained, can withstand dry shade

Leaves: Margin entire, rough hairs, white spotted

Form: Compact, dense foliage with rising inflorescence, medium height

Flower: Purple Blue - Pink, clustered cyme, early summer

• Woodland plant, accent, sensory (touch)

122. Brunnera macrophylla - Brunnera

Highlights

Hardiness Zone: Z2-4 Exposure: Part to FULL shade!

Soil: Drought tolerant once established.

Foliage: basal cluster, heart shaped, white accent

Form: mid height, slow spreading mound Flower: airy blue cyme in early summer

Use: Shade accent, rabbit and deer resistant

123. Which 3 Shade plants do you recognize here?