Flowering plants for damp shade
We pick some of the best flowering plants to grow in damp, shady spots.
If you have a damp, shady corner in your garden, don't worry. Plenty of plants thrive in these conditions. From tall, majestic angelica, to low-growing candelabra primulas, there's a wide range to choose from to brighten up your shady spot.
Discover beautiful flowering plants to grow in damp shade, below.
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Angelica
A great architectural plant, Angelica archangelica has deep-cut foliage and huge, rounded, bright green flowerheads. It self-seeds readily after flowering.
Buy angelica from Waitrose Garden
Astilbe
In summer, the wiry stems of astilbes hold plume-like flowerheads of this easy-to-grow perennial. Provided the soil is moist, astilbes are happy in partial shade. Pink, red and white varieties are available.
Bleeding heart
With arching stems of nodding, heart-shaped flowers, Lamprocapnos (formerly Dicentra) spectablis is an elegant perennial, perfect for brightening up a damp, shady corner.
Buy bleeding heart from Waitrose Garden
Brunnera macrophylla
Reliably tough, even in poor soil, Brunnera macrophylla shows its daintier side when sprays of forget-me-not flowers shimmer over its bristly green leaves in spring.
Buy Brunnera macrophylla from Amazon
Cowslip
Our native cowslip, Primula veris, looks great planted in woodland or naturalised in grass beneath trees.
Buy cowslips from Waitrose Garden
Erythronium
Swept-back petals give great character to graceful dog's tooth violet, erythronium. It thrives in cool, shady conditions and moist, humus-rich soil.
Rodgersia
A dramatic foliage plant, rodgersia, has cream flower plumes that turn bronzy in autumn, against deeply ribbed foliage. It favours constantly moist conditions.
Buy rodgersia from Gardening Express
Solomon's Seal
With arching stems and delicate flowers, Polygonatum x hybridum is an elegant choice for a shady spot. This perennial likes moist, humus-rich soil.
Trillium
A North American woodland perennial, Trillium erectum bears large leaves that frame its striking wine-red (occasionally white or yellow) flowers. It does best in shade in humus-rich, damp soil.
Buy Trillium erectum from Dobies
Candelabra primulas
These stunning perennials are at home in moist soil and partial shade. Candelabra primulas to grow include Primula beesiana and Primula chungensis.