A mix of both sun and shade plants is important when starting to build a perennial program. In many ways, the shade plants are more desirable than the sun, because fewer plants are both successful and colorful in the shade. They are just as easy, straightforward and popular as those on the more famous sun list.

Using the same criteria as the sun list we chose recognizable varieties that are also forgiving in their propagation. These colorful and eye-catching selections not only hold well on the bench but also have the best garden performance in the category.