Shady areas under trees and between houses can be a source of bare landscape. And while there are several plants that can grow in shade, such as English Ivy, Asian Jasmine, and Mondo grass, most offer no color other than green. If you think that's boring, why not try a couple of eye openers.
Turks Cap, a native Texas perennial, is named for its scarlet, cap-shaped blossoms. It will grow in any type of soil and in sun or all-day shade. In fact, its leaves grow bigger and broader in shade and tend to sag in full sun. Turks Cap grows three to four feet tall, forming a shrub-like plant that dies to the ground in winter and reappears in spring. Its bright red flowers bloom from July to frost and attract hummingbirds. It's best to start from a potted nursery transplant (or a division from a friend's garden); plant in early spring.
Columbine is another plant that loves shade or dappled shade. It has beautiful blue-green foliage and buttery yellow, blue, purple, pink or white flowers. It grows 12 to 24 inches tall and blooms from March to mid-May. Columbine's foliage may need to be clipped during the heat of summer but it will return to bloom in the cooler fall weather.
Pat Kashouty, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas Cooperative Extension
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