Partial shade can be a tricky lighting condition when planning flower beds and borders. Unlike full sun or deep shade these dappled “in-between” spots require plants that can thrive with only about 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The good news is many gorgeous perennials actually prefer partial shade and will flourish beautifully in these areas. With the right plant selection it’s easy to create striking borders that add vibrance, texture and blooms.

Here are 15 of the best border plants for partial shade

1. Astilbe

With fluffy, featherlike plumes of flowers in white, pink, red and purple, astilbe adds airy color impact where brighter sun-lovers struggle. The graceful, fern-like foliage also provides wonderful texture contrast. Give astilbe rich, consistently moist soil for the best blooms. Deadheading spent flowers encourages more blossoms.

2. Coral Bells

Coral bells offer more than just charming bell-shaped blooms. The foliage comes in a stunning range like burgundy, chartreuse and silvery blue. Plant in masses along the border for brilliant pops of color. The long-lasting blooms make gorgeous cut flowers too.

3. Japanese Forest Grass

The slender, gracefully arching blades of this Asian-inspired ornamental grass form green and white variegated mounds. Japanese forest grass spreads nicely to cover area along partially shaded borders.

4. Candytuft

Candytuft bursts forth vigorously with clusters of white or pink blooms starting in late spring. The neat evergreen foliage maintains structure and shape after the blossoms fade. Lightly trim back spent flowers to keep plants compact.

5. Yellow Archangel

Also called yellow creeping Charlie, this trailing plant offers cheery chartreuse leaves and cute little purple flowers. It will cascade nicely along borders or soften the edges of garden paths. Cut back if growth becomes too exuberant.

6. Siberian Bugloss

With electric blue blooms dancing on tall, slender stems above clumps of hairy green foliage, Siberian bugloss brings a lovely pop of color to dappled border spots. Remove spent blooms to encourage repeat flowering into summer.

7. Lungwort

One of the earliest bloomers, lungwort starts brightening shady beds and borders as early as February with clusters of pink and blue blooms. The unique silver-spotted foliage adds year-round interest. Plant in drifts along borders and pathways.

8. Lamium

Lamium offers showy silver, burgundy or chartreuse foliage and whorls of tubular pink and white blooms on short flower stalks. Good edger choices include ‘White Nancy’ and ‘Anne Greenaway’. Trim back by half after the main flush of spring flowers finishes.

9. Lenten Rose

Large rose-like flowers in pink, white, purple, and yellow start to open on the hardy evergreen leaves in late winter. Plant lenten roses along woodland borders or feature in containers. They’re one of the first blooms of spring.

10. Japanese Painted Fern

Valued for their ornamental fronds painted with hues of red, silver and purple, painted ferns are ideal for the front of borders thanks to their short stature. Rich, moist soil helps these woodland beauties thrive.

11. Foamflower

Foamflower produces frothy spikes of delicate white blooms dancing above lush green foliage. It’s fantastic for softening the edges of paths or filling in along borders, spreading nicely to form a dense carpet in moist woodland soil.

12. Dead Nettle

Dead nettle blooms early in the spring and has pretty gray-green leaves with bright pink or purple flowers. It spreads slowly, and any empty spots along the edges are quickly filled with stoloniferous plants.

13. Alchemilla Mollis

The scalloped, velvety chartreuse leaves and sprays of tiny yellow flowers on lady’s mantle make it a beautiful plant in terms of color and texture. Use it to its full potential along border lines and along paths. Trim off spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

14. Bleeding Heart Vine

This vine has rows of red and white heart-shaped flowers from spring to fall. It is related to the old-fashioned bleeding heart flower and grows like a vine. It can get as tall as 10 feet when planted next to fences or trellises.

15. Columbine

Columbines produce elegant, nodding blooms in a variety of bicolors like red and yellow that seem to dance above the lobed green leaves. Best in cooler climates, plant in rich, moist but well-drained soil.

Design Tips for Partial Shade Borders

• Use foliage color and texture for interest since flowers are fewer
• Incorporate evergreen choices like coral bells for year-round structure
• Mass plantings of one variety together create greater impact
• Edge borders with spreading choices like candytuft and dead nettle
• Add height with mid-border plants like Siberian bugloss
• Include a few trailing plants like bleeding heart vine

Caring for Partial Shade Border Plants

• Water regularly, especially during droughts
• Apply compost or organic fertilizer annually
• Cut back by 1/3 after the main flush of spring blooms
• Prune wayward growth as needed
• Mulch annually with 2-3 inches of organic matter
• Dig and divide overcrowded clumps every 3-4 years
• Group plants with similar needs to simplify care

With smart plant choices like astilbe, coral bells and candytuft, it’s easy to create vibrant borders in partial shade. Use leaf shapes and colors to add interest since flowers are fewer. Maintain moist, fertile soil and trim back spent blooms to keep plants looking their best. A thoughtfully designed border allows these plants to shine and bloom beautifully, even with only 4-6 hours of direct sun.