by Fern on September 16, 2009
Gardening in the shade can be pretty challenging, especially if you like bold, colorful plants. But rest assured that “challenging” doesn’t mean “impossible.” Check out these plants for some ideas for your shady container garden.
Black Mondo Grass

Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’

Japanese Blood Grass

Purple Heart ‘Purple Queen’

Oxalis ‘Molten Lava’

Coleus ‘Fishnet Stockings’

Foxglove

Dead Nettle

Bleeding Hearts

Don’t forget about the Twitter Contest for a chance to win a copy of either The Green Gardener’s Guide
by Joe Lamp’l or Sunset’s Western Garden Book
by Fern on September 9, 2009
Over the past year I have been collecting edible plants that will thrive with less than shade and partial shade. That is, they will flourish with four hours or less of direct sun, and sometimes with only filtered sun. Here is an updated list with all the previous lists combined, and also some new plants.

Photo by catbiscuit
Have you been able to grow any of these plants in the shade?
- Aloe
- Beans
- Beebalm
- Beets
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Catnip
- Cauliflower
- Chamomile
- Comfrey
- Coriander (Cilantro)
- Currants
- Echinacea
- Garlic
- Honeyberry
- Hyssop
- Leafy Greens, such as collards, mustard greens, spinach, and kale
- Kiwi
- Lemon Balm
- Mint
- Nasturtium
- Parsley
- Peas
- Radishes
- Salad Greens, such as leaf lettuce, arugula, endive, cress, and radicchio
- Swiss Chard
- Thyme
UPDATE: Here is a list of shade tolerant edibles from Oregon Live.
If you know of any other shade tolerant edibles, please share them in the comments.