Planting gardens in the shade can be challenging. First you need to know how much light and what kind of light the area gets. For instance, is it dappled light filtering through trees? Is there reflective light from off of the house? Is there any specific exposure to sun for four or more hours daily? Do the trees filter out most of the light? If so, you may need to consider having the tree limbs thinned to let in more light. Also you will need to determine if the area has moisture or if it is mostly dry.
For shade garden foundation plants, one can use gingers, aucubas, aralias, aspidistras, and ferns for height and background texture. Leaf textures call attention to gardens in general, and are a major beauty factor in shady area that often will not support many flowering plants. For instance, gingers produce flowers, but their leaves offer variation and form to the garden. Holly and wood ferns grow two to three feet tall and provide either middle or background height and texture. Other ferns suitable for shades that grow in our area include the maidenhair, cinnamon, lady, and royal varieties.
There are several ways to bring color into the garden. Common annuals such as coleus, coreopsis, caladiums, impatiens, begonias, pink polka dots, phlox, shrimp plants, and native Turk's cap are easy to grow. Various members of the bulb families that tolerate semi-shade include Agapanthus, Louisiana iris, amaryllis and crinum.
Three lesser used flowers that add interests include blettlin, an orchid-like flower, and peacock ginger which is a low growing multicolored leafed plant with a pale pink flower. Strobilanthes, also known as purple shield, is a tall plant with colorful foliage of intense purple with silver markings. Another way to add color is using potted annuals and rotate them during their peak blooming period. You can also strategically place interesting rocks or bird baths to add different focal points.
All in all, shade gardens can be a lot of fun and a challenge to gardeners, hopefully resulting in a quiet, peaceful space in the yard.