It can be hard finding plants that last through the winter in zone 4. It can be just as daunting to find plants that thrive in the shade. If you know where to look, however, your options for zone 4 shade gardening are pretty great. Keep reading to learn more about picking cold hardy plants for a shade garden, particularly shade plants for zone 4.
Zone 4 Shade Gardening
Choosing cold hardy plants for a shade garden need not be a daunting task. There are actually plenty of zone 4 shade loving plants out there: Hellebore – Suited for dappled light to heavy shade. Hosta – Available in hundreds of varieties with varying shade requirements. Bleeding Heart – Beautiful, signature flowers, partial to full shade. Japanese Painted Fern – Full shade or some sun if the soil is kept moist. Ajuga – Tolerates full sun to full shade. Foamflower – Groundcover that prefers partial to heavy shade. Astilbe – Likes rich, moist soil and full shade. Siberian Bugloss – Likes partial to heavy shade and moist soil. Ladybell – Tolerates full sun to moderate shade and produces blue bell-shaped flowers. Oriental Lily – Tolerates full sun to partial shade. Not quite all varieties are hardy to zone 4. New England Aster – Tolerates full sun to light shade. Azalea – Does very well in shade, but only some varieties are hardy to zone 4.
Picking Shade Plants for Zone 4
When planting shade plants for zone 4, it’s important to pay attention to the plant's needs. Even if a plant is rated for full shade, if it’s languishing, try moving it! See what works best with your climate and your level of shade.