| Getting color in shaded areas can be a challenge. | | | | from eight inches to a taller thrity inch variety. The |
| Annuals can provide that bit of color with a long | | | | foliage is attractive with small green leaves. Impatiens |
| bloom time. Most annuals do best in full sun, however | | | | are also called 'busy lizzies' due to their prolific flower |
| there is a good selection of shade loving plants. | | | | production all season long. |
| Shade annuals are great for those spots that only | | | | 5. Forget-Me-Not (Latin: Myosotis sylvatica). These |
| get a tiny bit of sun during the day, or the dappled | | | | flowers produce plenty of delicate blue flowers during |
| light under trees. Try one of these 10 plants next | | | | the spring time. They grow six to twelve inches tall |
| time you want a splash of color! | | | | and spread out - so you can use these to fill in bare |
| 1. Begonias (Latin: Begonia semperflorens-cultorum). | | | | spots. Planted along with spring time bulbs such as |
| Begonias have waxy looking leaves, which can be | | | | tulips or daffodils, forget-me-nots can give your |
| either green or a reddish brown color. The flower | | | | garden a classic look. |
| color can be white, pink or red. Begonias will bloom | | | | 6. Lobelia (Latin: Lobelia). Looking for a blue flower? |
| from last spring through summer. The average height | | | | Lobelia will fit the bill! There are two types - trailing |
| of a begonia is 6 to 12 inches. You can find begonias | | | | and edging. The trailing lobelias are perfect for |
| which thrive in sun, but make sure you plant the | | | | containers and hanging baskets. The edgers are great |
| correct kind for your area. | | | | for a border. Lobelias bloom throughout the summer |
| 2. Browallia (Latin: Browallia americana). Lesser known, | | | | months with lots of tiny flowers. They grow about 6 |
| browallias are great for hanging baskets or anywhere | | | | inches tall and may reseed themselves in milder |
| you want a spread of flowers. The colors are either | | | | climates. |
| blue or white and bloom profusely. | | | | 7. Flowering tobacco (Latin: Nicotiana). Nicotiana is |
| 3. Coleus (Latin: Coleus hybridus). Coleus plants are | | | | related to smoking tobacco and popular in old |
| not planted for their flowers, but for the wonderful | | | | fashioned gardens. They come in a wide variety of |
| foliage! The leaf color can range from red, purple, | | | | sizes, from compact twelve inch to four feet tall. |
| orange, yellow and green. Often variegated. They will | | | | Some varieties are wonderfully fragrant, such as |
| grow to an average height of 24 inches and are very | | | | 'sylvestris' and 'Fragrant Cloud'. Typical flower colors |
| easy to grow. For best results, pinch back the tips of | | | | are red or white. Use the shorter variety in the |
| the flowers when they are young, as this will | | | | middle or front of the flower bed, or in containers. |
| encourage fuller, bushy growth. | | | | Use the tall variety to add height in the back of a |
| 4. Impatiens (Latin: Impatiens wallerana). Impatiens | | | | border. The blooms with some varieties will close in |
| are hugely popular. Since this annual comes in a wide | | | | the afternoon and reopen in the evening. |
| variety of colors, it can fit in almost anywhere. Some | | | | Don't be afraid of the shade. Try any of these |
| of the colors available include white, purple, red, pink | | | | annuals to add some color and fun to your shady |
| and orange. They are very easy to grow and range | | | | garden areas! |