The quality that makes a great perennial on the Canadian Prairies is that it needs to be extremely hardy. Our climate is harsh. We experience deep colds and then have a flash Chinook where the temps rise 20+ degrees celsius and can rise above the freezing mark.

Once the temperatures rise above freezing, our insulating snow cover melts away exposing all our tender perennials to the elements.

But the real problem is that after the Chinook Winds blow, temperatures can drop drastically back to -20°C or colder. Often dropping to -35°C and staying there for weeks on end.

18 Gorgeous Full Shade Perennials for the Canadian Prairies

Astilbe spp.

Astilbe is a mid to late-blooming airy flower. It gets between 24-50 cm tall and is best mixed into a border. Its airy texture will add dimension to any mixed perennial border.

Ajuga repens - Carpet Bugleweed

Ajuga is a great rock garden plant as it forms a nice low mat that can spread over rocks or near pathways.

Divide frequently to prevent overcrowding.

Hemerocallis sp.

You will remember this flower from our Full Sun Perennial list. It is also a great full-shade perennial. Keep in mind that flower production will be reduced in full shade.

This is easily one of the most adaptable perennials for your garden. After blooming it gives great texture and interest in the perennial border.

Lamium maculatum - Spotted Deadnettle

This is easily one of my favourite ground covers for full shade. It is a fast-growing ground cover that gives great visual interest. Its variegated leaf and purple flower are sure to please.

Ligularia dentata - Elephant Ears

Do you want a show-stopper? Then Ligularia is the plant for you. Its very large green/Burgandy leaves are impressive. It will grow on average 3-4 ft tall, with some varieties as tall as 6-7ft!

In late July and August, it will shoot up spikes of yellow flowers.

Polygonatum mulitflorum - Solomon’s Seal

Solomon’s Seal is a taller plant, at about 2.5 ft. It has arching stems that bear white flowers on the length of them.

This plant is great for creating a natural wild garden look and can even be used as a cut flower.

Anemone sylvestris - Snowdrop Anemone

While you will see this flower more often in full-sun perennial borders, it has its place in the shade garden as well. They do prefer to have moist soil.

If a wild and spreading border is your preference these will be sure to make you happy. If a more formal, tended space is to your liking some weeding will be required. They are easy to weed out if desired.

Gentian spp. - Gentian

If a True Blue Garden is on your radar, then this is the plant for you. While many blues lean towards purple, this flower will give you the blue that you want.

It has shiny leaves and will bloom in July on stems 12-15 inches tall.

Trollius - Globe Flower

When creating a woodland border this is the flower for you. Its large buttercup-like blooms will impress all gardeners. They are early bloomers showing up in June.

While many flowers in our Canadian Prairies wait to bloom until July and August this flower helps us recover with colour after a long winter season.

Aegopodium podograria - Snow on the Mountain or Goutweed

I nervously add Goutweed to this list. This is an extremely aggressive plant. Should you choose to plant it in your garden please be warned! Plant only in contained areas like concrete-edged beds, between concrete sidewalks and houses.

Plant only in areas that you are ok with it taking over. Think quack grass of the perennial border. Despite its aggressive nature, it is a great filler that offers variegated texture to your border.

Hosta spp.

Hostas are probably the most well know full-shade perennial for the Canadian Prairies. They are typically grown for the amazing foliage, but their delicate blooms are beautiful as well.

There are hundreds of varieties out there from small mounding to large blue/green leaves that will fill in large spaces.

Convallaria majalis - Lily of the Valley

Lily-of-theValley is another great ground cover. As with a lot of ground covers, it can lean towards aggressiveness.

All parts of this plant are considered poisonous so please watch small children in your garden!

Filipendula spp. - Meadowsweet

Another tall back-of-the-border perennial is Meadowsweet. It resembles the shrub spirea and is 3-6 ft tall. They also are a great replacement for Astilbe as they are hardier.

Lysimachia nummularia - Creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny is just like the name says, creeping. Some people claim it can become invasive, so keep a close watch on it just to make sure.

Matteuccia struthiopteris pensylvanica - Ostrich Fern

Ferns are the backbone of any full-shade perennial border. They offer height, texture and colour.

They are also the largest ferns in North America. Place these on the north side of your home and be amazed at how they will flourish!

Primula cortusoides - Primula

Primula is a dainty perennial that should be added to every rock garden. It is among the first early spring blooming perennials.

There are many different colours and look great when planted in mass plantings, especially near ponds.

Dodecatheon media - Shooting Star

This purple blooming spring flower is another small flower for the front of the border. It tops out at 12-15 inches tall.

Dicentra sp. - Bleeding Heart

While Bleeding Hearts are a partial shade perennial I had to include them in this list. Their flowing texture is needed in every garden.

Here are a few partial shade bloomers that are also a favourite in the shade garden.

Bergenia spp.
Geranium spp - Cranesbill
Centaurea montana - Perennial Cornflower
Aruncus dioicus - Goat’s Beard
Vinca herbacea - Herbaceaous Periwinkle
Iris germanica
Iris siberica
Polemonium caeruleum - jacob’s Ladder
Eupatorium purpurea - Joe Pye Weed
Alchemilla moliis - Lady’s Mantle
Stachy grandiflora - Lamb’s Ears
Cimicifuga racemosa - Black Snakeroot
Platycodon grandiflorum - Balloon Flower

Happy Gardening!

Heidi

Shade Perennials for the Canadian Prairies