Northern Shade Gardening

From the middle to late spring, the sweet woodland flowers are blooming in my garden. I love these charming flowers that grow under the trees without complaint, tolerating the shade and root competition, and flourishing in the organic matter dropped by the trees. This group shows such distinctive blooms, that you have to appreciate the wonderful diversity of nature.

Trillium grandiflorum two white flowers

The Trillium grandiflorum (great white trillium) are blooming in purest white, with three petals and three leaves. I planted the bare rhizomes in the soil a few years ago, and although the whole plants skipped the first growing season, they are blooming now. My trilliums  grow very close to a maple trunk, squeezed in next to a Philadelphus (mockorange) shrub. I look forward to seeing this group expand, since they remind me of the forests of Eastern Canada. Mine are about 17 cm (7 in) tall, so they are tucked behind some short Asarum (wild ginger).

Arisaema sikokianum woodland flower

Arisaema sikokianum (Japanese jack in the pulpit) has the most unusual flower of all. The exotic looking bloom has a cup with a pure white middle, the colour of milk, while the pure white  spadix rises out of the middle of the cup. The elaborate spathe (hood) arches higher over top and is striped in purple and black. The hood is high enough to allow a good view of the spadix, unlike some jack in the pulpits. I always have to look at this one from all angles, since I find it fascinating. The back shows the elaborately striped and curved hood, and the front shows the stripes meeting the white interior.

The Arisaema sikokianum foliage dies back in summer, to reappear next spring. Because this is an ephemeral, I really have to remember where it is planted. Last Fall I accidentally dug it up when planting bulbs. It was late in the season, and I was worried that it would stress the plant as it headed into winter. Arisaema sikokianum was rated for zone 5, so digging it up in late Autumn was not going to help its survival in zone 3. Plus we had a cold winter, so I wasn’t sure if this jack in the pulpit would come back. We also had a cold May with a snow storm at the very end of the month. I was very pleased to see it doing well this spring. It is a little shorter than last year, about 18 cm (7 in), possibly because of the tough late spring. However it is flowering, so I suspect that Japanese jack in the pulpit is hardier than generally given credit for.

Cypripedium calceolus lady's slipper flower

Another elaborately shaped flower is the Cypripedium calceolus (yellow lady slipper orchid), which has these delightful yellow flowers with a deep pouch. The distinctive flowers are endearing, while the twisted sepals and petals radiating out draw the eye inwards to the dramatic lip. It is such an amazing adaptation for insect pollination, forcing the visitor into a trap where it must crawl past the stigma to get out. No nectar for you! This lady slipper is another woodland floor plant, at about 20 cm (8 in) tall. It is tucked beside some more Asarum europaeum, in front of some Adiantum pedatum (maidenhair fern) and next to some Brunnera macrophylla (Siberian bugloss).

Polygonatum commutatum dangling flowers

Polygonatum commutatum (giant solomon’s seal) rises above the other woodland perennials. Mine are 45 cm (18 in) tall, not quite giant status, but still growing. The solomon’s seal has these fabulous flowers that dangle in rows under the curved stem. The flowers are suspended  in singles, pairs or triples, a highly variable plant. The stems of Polygonatum commutatum all arch in graceful curves, so they arc wonderfully over top of shorter flowers, creating a pretty effect. One group of these plants are flowering in some of my deepest shade, getting a half an hour of direct light in the earliest morning, and a smidgen of dappled light. Despite the low light, the solomon’s seal produce a multitude of the little jewelled bells hanging from the arches. At first the cream coloured bells are closed, but as they mature the bottoms flare open with a small ruffle around the edge and a hint of green.

Sanguinaria canadensis single white flowers

The Sanguinaria (bloodroot) bloomed a few weeks ago at the end of May, but I’m including them here because they are a classic woodland plant. Here is a previous post with more about the bloodroot. Sanguinaria canadensis produce these simple white flowers next to the beautifully lobed leaves. The flowers consist of perfect petals radiating outwards. These leaves look good all summer and contrast nicely with the feathery texture of ferns or Astilbe.

Sanguinaria canadensis f. multiplex double flower

The Sanguinaria canadensis f. multiplex (double bloodroot) flowers are very showy, and packed with many extra petals. The double form has an extended bloom time, so you can enjoy them for longer. The flowers come up right with the leaf which has deep lobes.

The flowers of these woodland perennials are all varied in shape, making each one interesting to examine. Flowers can look gorgeous in large groups from a distance, but they can also take your breath away when you observe them closely and note the intriguing details and adaptations they have developed. The picture below shows the flower closeups, with Arisaema sikokianum on the upper left, Polygonatum commutatum on the top right, Cypripedium calceolus on the bottom left and Trillium grandiflorum on the lower right.

Arisaema Cypripedium Polygonatum Trillium flowers

The little woodland Sanquinaria canadensis (bloodroot) are blooming now in mid spring. These perennials grow happily under the trees, flourishing in the organic matter that the trees drop and that decays into the soil. The flowers may bloom for a short time, but it is enjoyable to anticipate the beauty, and watch the perfect white petals unfold. The leaves are thick and lobed, making an interesting texture contrast with other woodland plants, or lacy ferns.

Sanguinaria canadensis flowers

This photo shows the simple white blooms of Sanquinaria canadensis. Their petal structure is beautiful, even if the flowering time is brief. The flower on the left shows the perfectly symmetrical shape, with four large petals like compass points, and four shorter ones marking the directions in between.

Sanguinaria canadensis bud with leaf

The leaves of Sanguinaria are deeply lobed and attractive, too. Above you can see how the flower bud comes up through the bottom lobe in the leaf.

Sanguinaria canadensis and Brunnera

Mine are planted in between some Athyrium (ferns), Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ and Astilbe, where they make a nice bridge between the delicate texture of the ferns and Astilbe, and the solid heart-shaped Brunnera leaves. On the other side is an Arisaema (jack in the pulpit). There is some space right now between the Brunnera and the Sanguinaria because the Brunnera leaves keep growing over the summer, and will develop right up to the bloodroot. The Sanguinaria really are a woodland floor plant, standing about 20 cm (8 in) tall.

Sanguinaria canadensis flowers opening

Here are the buds of the bloodroot in the process of opening. The folded buds are pretty even before they fully open. You can see a few light shafts hitting the broad leaves. The Sanguinaria get some early spring light before the tree leaves fully open, followed by some dappled light, and the plants seem to enjoy this exposure, making them a perfect shade perennial.

Sanguinaria canadensis 'Multiplex' flower

Sanquinaria canadensis f. multiplex (double bloodroot) has these lovely double blooms. The multiplex are new to my garden this year. The foliage has the same deep lobes, but the blooms get lot of extra white petals. Even though the multiplex has the flashier flowers, I like both of the bloodroots in their own way.

These woodland perennials are flowering at the same time as the Brunnera (Siberian bugloss) and Pulmonaria (lungwort), creating a pretty blue and white flower scheme. The Trillium flower buds are just about to open, but they’ll join the woodland flower display soon with white blooms, too. It is very reassuring to see the blooms come into flower, each in their own time. I love the plants that bloom all season for their constant colour, but there is a rhythm to the flow of seasonal blooms that add their brief beauty one after another, in a familiar pattern. They allow you to enjoy each change in the garden, and the anticipation of the unfolding seasons. Although Sanguinaria get their name from the blood red colour of their sap, the other meaning of sanguine, or hopeful, is also very appropriate.

Here is follow up post showing more woodland flowers.

As new perennial foliage unfurls in the spring, the tiny, perfect leaves always look so attractive. Here are some of my emerging perennials with especially nice looking leaves. Some of the early spring bulbs are still lingering, so they make colourful combinations with the new leaves. These perennials thrive in the shadiest parts of my garden. The foliage looks appealing both before and after the flowers.

Pulmonaria samourai new leaves in spring

The Pulmonaria ‘Samourai‘ (lungwort) has developed many silver leaves, and those fat buds promising future blue flowers.

Geranium 'Johnson's Blue' leaves with crocus

Geranium ‘Johnson’s Blue’ has lovely fresh green leaves. They get the most light of any of these perennials, and develop a good number of flowers in a part shade location. The Crocus ‘Yellow Mammoth’ flowers behind have lasted a long time, and look great next to the Geranium. With the cool weather, the Yellow Mammoth have been blooming for over a month, the longest of any of the crocus.

Dicentra spectabilis 'Alba' emerging leaves

Dicentra spectabilis ‘Alba’ (white bleeding heart) has narrow shoots still, rising up through the debris from the pine tree. In hotter zones these seem to die back for the summer, but they keep their leaves in my garden up until the first frosts.

Asarum europaeum emerging foliage

Most of the Asarum europaeum (European ginger) keep their leaves over the winter. The new leaves are shiny, light green, making perfect little hearts. This is one of my favourite groundcovers in the shade. The only improvement I could make on these plants, would be for them to spread a little faster. Of course, planting them next to tree trunks in the deepest shade, with lots of root competition, might slow down their growth a bit.

Aruncus aethusifolius new leaves

Aruncus aethusifolius (dwarf Korean goatsbeard) shoots up these small, fluffy leaves in a tight mound. The foliage remains appealing all season. I don’t remember planting the Galanthus bulbs that close to these plants, but the white snowdrops looked good over top of the Aruncus leaves.

Actaea ramosa 'Atropurpurea' new leaves

Actaea ramosa ‘Atropurpurea’ (bugbane) has a purple edge to each leaf when they emerge. The newest shoot in front is quite distinct, with a pattern of fuzzy looking white on the tightly curled ball.

Actaea racemosa new leaves

Actaea racemosa (bugbane) has a bluish green cast when new, with purple stems and leaf edges. This foliage, which will reach 2 m (6 ft) makes a terrific backdrop for other perennials, long before the tall flower wands bloom in Fall.

Epimedium 'Lilafee' new foliage

The new Epimedium ‘Lilafee’ foliage has a reddish purple border when it firsts pops up, too. The foliage is particularly attractive with the asymmetrical heart shapes. You can see one tiny pink flower bud in the centre. The flowers will develop quickly now, and should be blooming in a few weeks. The plants will develop many more leaves, and make a great groundcover in the shade.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' leaves and buds

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Jack Frost’ (Siberian bugloss) has a few blue buds opening over top of the beautifully patterned silver leaves . This plant is such a winner, for the gorgeous flowers and leaves, as well as its willingness to grow anywhere, but never get out of control.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Looking Glass' and Chionodoxa

The Brunnera macrophylla ‘Looking Glass’ (Siberian bugloss) leaves are already developing their silver colour, with faint green markings on the leaves. You can just see the white Chionodox ‘Alba’ bulbs blooming behind them at the back of the photo.

Brunnera macrophylla 'Mr Morse' new leaves

Brunnera macrophylla ‘Mr Morse’ (Siberian bugloss) is another winning shade plant . Although the leaves are  splashed with a little dirt right now, they are as attractive as Jack Frost.

Pulmonaria 'Majeste' with Puschkinia

Here is Pulmonaria ‘Majeste’ (lungwort) with the blue striped Puschkinia (striped squills) flowers behind. Majeste is supposed to have an overall silver gray colour, and did last year, but this year it is showing the more typical spotted lungwort leaves. I don’t know if it will go back to the overall silver colour, or if it will keep the spots. I actually prefer the all silver look of Samourai, but spots can be cute, too.

Pulmonaria 'Majeste' with Chionodoxa

On the other side of  the Pulmonaria ‘Majeste’  are some  white Chionodoxa (glory of the snow) flowers, and you can see the edge of the blue Scilla on the upper right.

Some perennial leaves deteriorate rapidly through the summer, but I’ve found that these shade plants keep their good looks, and make good companions for other plants with or without  their flowers.

Do you have any favourite foliage popping up?