Flowering Plants That Require Minimal Sunlight

Bleeding Heart (Dicentra spectabilis)

• For early spring color, plant bleeding heart in shady areas of the gardens where they'll receive filtered sunlight. The plants grow well when planted under trees and other bushes that haven't yet produced leaves. Once the plant's foliage dies back later in the summer, you'll want to cut the plants back to keep the garden looking alive and green. Bleeding heart features bright pink blooms appearing on long, arching fernlike leaves. Plant bleeding heart in moist, well-drained, acidic soil.

Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum)

• Beautiful, fragrant white blossoms adorn this shade-loving plant in late spring or early summer. The plant adds texture to the garden with its 2- to 3-foot stems featuring white-edged green leaves. In the fall, the plant turns brilliant shades of gold while small black fruits appear. Solomon's Seal prefers well-drained soil in humid conditions. Other than requiring water during times of dry weather, the plant needs little maintenance.

Woodland Phlox (Phlox divaricata laphamii)

• Lavender-colored blooms make woodland phlox a great choice for forested gardens. The delicate flowers of this native plant offer a wonderful fragrance in shady areas of the garden. The plants grow up to a foot in height, preferring dryer soil. Use woodland phlox as a ground cover or in a drift for a showy display of color that attracts both hummingbirds and butterflies. Woodland phlox require little maintenance once established.

Astilbe (A. arendsii)

• Waves of delicate pink, pale orange, light purple or white flowers make astilbe a favorite in gardens where sun remains a premium. Besides clusters of tiny flowers, astible produces fern-like leaves above which the flowers sway in the slightest breeze. Astilbe grows up to 3 feet tall, preferring shade and moist, highly acidic soil that's well drained. For more effect, plant astilbe in drifts to add texture and waves of color. Keep an eye out for hummingbirds who are attracted to the flower's nectar.

Umbrella Leaf (Diphylleia cymosa)

• Gardens with plenty of shade, humidity and moist soil find umbrella leaf a welcome addition to the garden. The plant grows in clumps featuring umbrella-like leaves reaching up to 3 feet in height and up to several feet in width. Several stems produce clusters of 1-inch white flowers. In the fall, the flowers fade to small blue fruits. Umbrella leaf works well when planted behind shorter plants.