Native Plants for a Shaded Woodland Garden
Transform a shaded area of your yard into a woodland garden.
Inspired by the natural forest floor, woodland gardens bring together trees, shrubs, wildflowers, ferns and groundcovers that thrive under a canopy. A shaded area—ideally beneath deciduous trees—can become a beautiful, layered space that supports pollinators, birds and other wildlife.
Create a Mini Forest in Your Backyard
Think of a woodland garden in layers: canopy trees (such as oaks and maples), understory trees (such as serviceberry, Pawpaw and Blue Beech), shrubs (such as Bladdernut, Witch Hazel and Spicebush), and a forest floor of wildflowers, ferns and groundcovers.
Each layer adds structure, shelter and diversity. Visit a nearby natural forest, park or conservation area for inspiration, and observe how light and moisture vary from place to place.
Browse Plants by Group
Choose a plant group below to jump to its table. Species descriptions are adapted from the original Natural Themes resource.
Wildflowers
32 plant entries
| Plant | Growing conditions & features |
|---|---|
| Barren StrawberryWaldsteinia fragarioides | A low-growing groundcover that thrives in shaded, acidic soils, with bright yellow flowers in spring and evergreen, strawberry-like leaves, providing year-round interest in woodland gardens. Can tolerate dry soils and can grow in touch conditions. |
| BellwortUvularia spp. | A delicate, shade-loving perennial with drooping, bell-shaped yellow flowers in spring. It thrives in moist, woodland areas. |
| Black CohoshActaea racemosa | A tall (4–6 feet) woodland wildflower that thrives in shade, featuring spires of white, fragrant flowers that bloom in midsummer and attract pollinators. It does prefer some moisture, well drained, and humus-rich soils. |
| BloodrootSanguinaria canadensis | Delicate white flowers that emerge in early spring. Prefers moist, well-drained soils but can tolerate dry shade especially in rich, organic soils (such as under deciduous trees). |
| Blue-Stemmed GoldenrodSolidago caesia | A shade-tolerant goldenrod with arching, blue-tinged stems and clusters of bright yellow flowers that bloom in late summer and early fall, attracting pollinators. An excellent choice for dry shaded sites. Drought tolerant. |
| Canada AnemoneAnemone canadensis | White flowers in late spring to early summer, good groundcover as it spreads. Attractive foliage. Thrives in moist, moderate moisture sites but can tolerate drier sites. |
| Canada MayflowerMaianthemum canadense | A low-growing and spreading perennial with delicate white flowers, thriving in shaded woodlands and moist, rich soils. Thrives best in moist soils but can tolerate some dry shade in humus-rich soil. |
| Common Blue VioletViola sororia | A low-growing wildflower that thrives in shaded areas, with heart-shaped leaves and vibrant purple to blue flowers in early spring. Very adaptable, can tolerate dry conditions and is drought tolerant once established. Host for fritillary butterflies. |
| Dutchman’s BreechesDicentra cucullaria | Delicate white flowers shaped like a pair of tiny trousers (breeches). Blooms in early spring and then dies back (ephemeral). Grows in moist woodlands but can tolerate some dry shade (especially in areas with leaf litter and mulch). |
| FoamflowerTiarella cordifolia | Soft spikes of tiny, foamy white blooms in spring. Prefers moist, humus-rich soils, but can tolerate dry shade with leaf litter to help retain moisture. |
| Jack-in-the-PulpitArisaema triphyllum | A unique flower, prefers damp shade, rich soil. Blooms in spring. |
| Jacob's LadderPolemonium reptans | A native perennial with delicate, pinnately compound leaves and clusters of blue or purple flowers, thriving in shaded, moist woodland gardens and offering spring interest. Can tolerate in drier shaded sites. |
| Goat's Beard/Bride's FeathersAruncus dioicus | A native perennial that thrives in shaded, moist areas, featuring tall plume-like white flower clusters and fern-like foliage, providing texture and visual interest to woodland gardens. |
| Heart-leaved AsterSymphyotrichum cordifolium | Produces clusters of pale blue to purple flowers in late summer to fall. Prefers moist, well-drained soil. A nice addition with its heart-shaped leaves and long-lasting blooms. Can tolerate dry shade with the help of organic matter to help retain moisture. |
| HepaticaHepatica spp. | A delicate spring wildflower known for its early bloom of vibrant, star-like flowers in shades of blue, purple, or white, thriving in shaded, rich, well-drained woodland soils. It can tolerate dry shaded conditions. |
| Large-leaved AsterSymphytotrichum macrophyllum | Known for its large, heart-shaped leaves and clusters for blue-purple flowers that bloom in late summer into fall. Prefers medium moisture sites with rich soil but can tolerate dry shade once established. Spreads by rhizomes. |
| MayapplePodophyllum peltatum | Umbrella-like foliage with hidden white blooms in spring. Prefers moist, well-drained soils but can tolerate some drier conditions in humus-rich soils with leaf litter to help retain some moisture. |
| Solomon's SealsPolygonatum spp. | Graceful woodland perennials with arching stems, dangling bell-shaped flowers, and a preference for shaded, moist gardens. Can handle drier conditions. |
| SpikenardAralia racemosa | A large, herbaceous perennial native to rich, shaded woodlands. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil but can tolerate some dryness once established. Growing up to 4–6 feet tall, with clusters of small, greenish-white flowers in summer, followed by deep purple berries that attract wildlife. |
| Spring BeautyClaytonia virginica | A small early spring ephemeral with pink flowers and lance-shaped leaves, thriving in moist, shaded woodland gardens. |
| TrilliumTrillium spp. | Woodland flower with three-petaled blooms in white or red. Blooms in early spring. Ephemeral. They do best with moderate moisture and may tolerate some dry shade if soil is rich in organic matter to help retain moisture (leaf litter and compost can achieve this). |
| Trout LilyErythronium americanum | A delicate spring wildflower with nodding, yellow flowers and mottled leaves that resemble trout markings, thriving in moist, shaded woodland areas. Ephemeral. Can grow in dry shade but prefers moderate moisture. |
| Virginia BluebellsMertensia virginica | Early spring bloomer with clusters of bell-shaped blue flowers. Ephemeral. They prefer moist well-drained conditions but can tolerate slightly drier sites but should be rich in organic matter. |
| White SnakerootAgeratina altissima | A shade-loving perennial that thrives in moist, well-drained soil but is also tolerant of dry conditions once established. Its late-season white flowers attract pollinators, making it a great choice for naturalized woodland gardens with varying moisture levels. |
| White Wood AsterEurybia divaricata | Best in medium moisture soils but can tolerate drier shaded sites once established. Spreads by rhizomes making it an excellent groundcover. White flowers in late summer into fall attract pollinators. |
| Wild ColumbineAquilegia canadensis | Red honeysuckle-like flowers that attract hummingbirds. Spring blooming. Does best in dry to medium moisture conditions. Often found in woodland edges, meadows and rocky slopes. |
| Wild GeraniumGeranium maculatum | A native perennial that thrives in shaded areas with dry to medium and moist soils. It features pink to purple flowers and attractive, deeply lobed leaves, providing vibrant color in woodland gardens. Spring blooming. |
| Wild GingerAsarum canadense | Low-growing groundcover with heart-shaped leaves. Creates an attractive groundcover. Prefers moist but can adapt to drier tougher growing sites. |
| Downy Wood MintBlephilia hirsuta | A native perennial that thrives in shaded, moist woodland areas, with soft, downy leaves and spikes of purple flowers, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies while adding texture to the landscape. It can tolerate dry shade. |
| Woodland PhloxPhlox divaricata | A shade-loving perennial with fragrant, star-shaped flowers that are purple/blue blooming in spring and attracting pollinators to woodland gardens. Prefers moist, well-drained soils but can tolerate dry shade once established. |
| Woodland StrawberryFragaria vesca | A low-growing, spreading, shade-tolerant groundcover that produces small, sweet strawberries in early summer, with trifoliate leaves. Prefers medium moisture, well-drained soils but can tolerate drier conditions. Somewhat drought tolerant once established. |
| Zigzag GoldenrodSolidago flexicaulis | A shade-loving goldenrod with zigzagging stems and clusters of bright yellow flowers. It thrives in woodland settings and supports pollinators. Thrives in dry to medium moisture. A great option for dry shade. Clump-forming and spreads through rhizomes. |
Ferns
5 plant entries
| Plant | Growing conditions & features |
|---|---|
| Christmas FernPolystichum acrostichoides | Evergreen fronds that provide year-round interest. Prefers moist to dry, well-drained soil. |
| Cinnamon FernOsmundastrum cinnamomeum | Tall, feathery fronds with striking cinnamon-colored spikes. Grows best in consistently moist to wet soil. |
| Lady FernAthyrium filix-femina | Graceful, finely divided fronds that thrive in dappled light. Prefers moist, well-drained soil. |
| Maidenhair FernAdiantum pedatum | Elegant fronds with a delicate texture. Thrives in moist, well-drained soil. |
| Ostrich FernMatteuccia struthiopteris | A large, spreading fern that thrives in shaded, moist woodland environments, known for its tall, feathery fronds that resemble ostrich plumes, adding texture and elegance to garden landscapes. Requires consistently moist to wet soil. |
Grasses & Sedges
6 plant entries
| Plant | Growing conditions & features |
|---|---|
| Bottlebrush GrassElymus hystrix | Unique seed heads that thrive in woodland gardens. |
| Silky RyeElymus villosus | Medium height grass with arching form and delicate seed head. |
| Tufted Hair GrassDeschampsia cespitosa | A clump-forming grass with narrow, dark green leaves and feathery panicles of purplish-green flowers. |
| Pennsylvania SedgeCarex pensylvanica | A low, fine-textured grass-like plant perfect for shady areas. |
| Rosey SedgeCarex rosea | A native sedge that thrives in shaded, moist woodland areas, featuring soft, arching green foliage with a reddish tint, providing excellent ground cover. |
| Plantain-leaved SedgeCarex plantaginea | A low-growing, evergreen sedge with broad, bright green leaves and showy purple-brown flower spikes in spring. |
Vines
3 plant entries
| Plant | Growing conditions & features |
|---|---|
| Glaucous HoneysuckleLonicera dioica | Thrives in shade and part-shade. It has fragrant, tubular red/orange/yellow flowers in late spring to early summer, followed by red berries that attract birds. |
| Virgin’s BowerClematis virginiana | A climbing vine with clusters of white, star-shaped flowers very attractive to pollinators. |
| Wild YamDioscorea villosa | A twining vine with heart-shaped leaves and small greenish-yellow flowers, thriving in moist, shaded woodland gardens. |
Shrubs
10 plant entries
| Plant | Growing conditions & features |
|---|---|
| Allegheny BlackberryRubus allegheniensis | A native shrub that thrives in woodland edges and shaded areas producing sweet, dark berries and dense, thorny growth that supports wildlife and attracts pollinators. |
| American HazelnutCorylus americana | A shade-tolerant shrub that produces edible nuts in the fall, with rounded leaves and a dense growth habit. |
| BladdernutStaphylea trifolia | A fast-growing, shade-tolerant shrub ideal for woodland gardens, offering unique seed pods and early spring flowers. |
| Fly HoneysuckleLonicera canadensis | Thrives in moist, shaded environments, with fragrant yellow to orange tubular flowers in spring, attracting hummingbirds and bees, and providing early-season nectar. |
| Mapleleaf ViburnumViburnum acerifolium | Compact shrub with white flowers and brilliant fall color. |
| Pagoda DogwoodCornus alternifolia | A medium to large sized shrub that thrives in partial shade, known for its umbrella-like growth form and attractive leaves, delicate white flowers in late spring, and blue-black berries that attract birds in the fall. |
| Purple Flowering RaspberryRubus odoratus | Thrives in shade, with showy pink to purple flowers in early summer and dark green, deeply lobed leaves. It is valued for its ornamental beauty and its ability to grow in moist, wooded areas. Somewhat aggressive. |
| SpicebushLindera benzoin | Aromatic shrub with yellow flowers and red berries. |
| SnowberrySymphoricarpos albus | A spreading shrub that thrives in partial to full shade, producing clusters of white berries in late summer to fall. It is tolerant of a variety of soil types and provides valuable wildlife habitat. |
| WitchhazelHamamelis virginiana | A small tree or shrub that thrives in partial to full shade, with yellow, ribbon-like flowers in late fall or early winter. It adapts well to various soils and moisture levels, offering year-round interest and supporting wildlife. |
Shrubby Groundcovers
3 plant entries
| Plant | Growing conditions & features |
|---|---|
| Partridge BerryMitchella repens | A low-growing evergreen groundcover that thrives in shady, moist woodlands. It produces small white flowers in spring, followed by red berries that persist into winter, providing food for wildlife. |
| WintergreenGaultheria procumbens | A low-growing evergreen groundcover that thrives in shaded, acidic soils. It produces small white or pink flowers in summer, followed by bright red berries that persist into winter, offering food for wildlife. Its aromatic leaves are often used for medicinal purposes. |
| BunchberryCornus canadensis | A low-growing, groundcover shrub that thrives in shady, woodland environments. It features clusters of small white flowers in spring, followed by red berries in summer. Bunchberry is known for its striking foliage and provides food for wildlife. |
Planning a shaded planting? Shade can be dry, medium or moist, depending on trees, soil and drainage. Match each species to your site’s conditions, and check our Plant Catalogue for current selections. Contact us for availability and advice.