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Shade-Tolerant Perennials | Olson’s Nursery

Color and Texture for Shaded Gardens

Perennials that thrive in shade bring texture, color, and reliability to low-light garden spaces. At Olson’s Nursery in Union Grove, we select shade-tolerant perennials proven to perform in Wisconsin’s climate, from woodland favorites to part-shade bloomers. These plants return year after year, helping you create beautiful gardens under trees, along north-facing foundations, and in filtered light 

Astilbe Peach Blossom brings elegant peach-toned flowers and texture to shade gardens

Astilbe - Peach Blossom

Astilbe - Peach Blossom

Astilbe - Peach Blossom

Botanical Name:  Astilbe × arendsii ‘Peach Blossom’ 

Plant Type:  Perennial

Sunlight:  Part Shade to Shade

Height:  18-24"

Spread:  18-24"

Blooms early to mid-Summer


Soft peach-pink flower plumes brighten shady gardens in early summer above fern-like foliage 

Shade-loving astilbe with deep red blooms for moist, low-light landscapes

Astilbe - Montgomery

Astilbe - Peach Blossom

Astilbe - Peach Blossom

Botanical Name:  Astilbe × arendsii ‘Montgomery’ 

Plant Type:  Perennial

Sunlight:  Part Shade to Shade

Height:  18-24"

Spread:  18-24"

Blooms early to mid-Summer


Bold, deep red flower plumes rise above glossy green foliage, adding rich color to shady gardens in early summer 



Ostrich fern offers bold foliage texture and reliable growth for shade gardens

Ostrich Fern

Astilbe - Peach Blossom

Maidenhair Fern

Botanical Name:  Matteuccia struthiopteris

Plant Type:  Perennial

Sunlight:  Part Shade to Full Shade

Height:  3-5'

Spread:  2-3'


Graceful, arching green fronds create a lush, tropical look in shady, moist gardens 

Delicate fan-shaped fronds of maidenhair fern in shade at Olson’s Nursery

Maidenhair Fern

Astilbe - Peach Blossom

Maidenhair Fern

Botanical Name:  Adiantum pedatum 

Plant Type:  Perennial

Sunlight:  Part Shade to Full Shade

Height:  12-24"

Spread:  18-24"


Delicate, fan-shaped leaflets on dark wiry stems create an elegant, airy look for shady gardens 

Gold and green foliage of Gold Standard hosta in a shaded garden at Olson’s Nursery

Hosta - Gold Standard

Hosta - Wiggles & Squiggles

Hosta - Wiggles & Squiggles

Botanical Name:  Hosta ‘Gold Standard’ 

Plant Type:  Perennial

Sunlight:  Part Shade to Shade

Height:  18-24"

Spread:  36-48"

Blooms mid to late Summer


Bold, heart-shaped leaves emerge chartreuse and mature to rich gold with dark green margins—brightening shady gardens all season 

Hosta 'Wiggles and Squiggles' with narrow wavy green leaves

Hosta - Wiggles & Squiggles

Hosta - Wiggles & Squiggles

Hosta - Wiggles & Squiggles

Botanical Name:  Hosta ‘Wiggles & Squiggles’ 

Plant Type:  Perennial

Sunlight:  Part Shade to Shade

Height:  12-18"

Spread:  24-30"

Blooms mid to late Summer


A unique ornamental hosta prized for its long, narrow, wavy leaves that create a fun, fountain-like texture in the garden. Bright green foliage forms a graceful mound, and lavender flowers

Botanical Name:  Hosta ‘Wiggles & Squiggles’ 

Plant Type:  Perennial

Sunlight:  Part Shade to Shade

Height:  12-18"

Spread:  24-30"

Blooms mid to late Summer


A unique ornamental hosta prized for its long, narrow, wavy leaves that create a fun, fountain-like texture in the garden. Bright green foliage forms a graceful mound, and lavender flowers appear in summer. Excellent for shade gardens, borders, and containers, this easy-care perennial adds movement and personality to any landscape 

Shade-loving Hosta ‘Lipstick Blonde’ with colorful red stems at Olson’s Nursery

Hosta - Lipstick Blonde

Hosta - Wiggles & Squiggles

Hosta - Lipstick Blonde

Botanical Name:  Hosta ‘Lipstick Blonde’ 

Plant Type:  Perennial

Sunlight:  Part Shade to Shade

Height:  12-16"

Spread:  18-24"

Blooms mid-Summer


Bright golden leaves paired with vivid red petioles create a striking look in shady gardens 

Shade-tolerant Hosta ‘Wolverine’ with variegated foliage at Olson’s Nursery

Hosta - Wolverine

Hosta - Wiggles & Squiggles

Hosta - Lipstick Blonde

Botanical name:  Hosta ‘Wolverine’ 

Plant Type:  Perennial

Sunlight:  Part Shade to Shade

Height:  10-14"

Spread:  18-24"

Blooms mid to late Summer


Slim, pointed blue-green leaves edged in creamy yellow add strong contrast and texture to shady gardens 


Hosta 'First Blush' with green leaves flushed pink-red in spring forming a neat mound

Hosta - First Blush

Heuchera 'Blackout' - Coral Bell

Hosta - First Blush

Botanical Name:  Hosta 'First Blush'

Plant Type:  Perennial

Sunlight:  Part shade to Full shade

Height:  14-18"

Spread:  24-30"

Blooms in Summer


A truly unique hosta with fresh green leaves flushed with rosy red tones in spring, creating eye-catching early-season color. Its elegant mounded habit and lavender summer blooms make it a standout choice for shade gardens, borders, and containers 

Hosta 'Brim Cup' with cupped blue-green leaves edged creamy yellow forming a dense mound

Hosta - Brim Cup

Heuchera 'Blackout' - Coral Bell

Hosta - First Blush

Botanical Name:  Hosta 'Brim Cup'

Plant Type:  Perennial

Sunlight:  Part shade to Full shade

Height:  12-16"

Spread:  24-30"

Blooms in Summer


A charming hosta with cupped blue-green leaves edged in creamy yellow to chartreuse. Its tidy mounded habit brightens shady beds, borders, and containers, while lavender summer blooms add seasonal beauty

Heuchera 'Blackout' with glossy near-black foliage growing in a shaded garden bed

Heuchera 'Blackout' - Coral Bell

Heuchera 'Blackout' - Coral Bell

Heuchera 'Blackout' - Coral Bell

Botanical Name:  Heuchera 'Blackout' 

Plant Type:  Perennial

Sunlight:  Part shade to Full shade

Height:  10-12"

Spread:  16-20"

Blooms late Spring


Deep, glossy near-black foliage gives Blackout Coral Bells bold color and dramatic contrast all season long. Its mounded habit is perfect for shaded borders, woodland gardens, and containers, while 

Botanical Name:  Heuchera 'Blackout' 

Plant Type:  Perennial

Sunlight:  Part shade to Full shade

Height:  10-12"

Spread:  16-20"

Blooms late Spring


Deep, glossy near-black foliage gives Blackout Coral Bells bold color and dramatic contrast all season long. Its mounded habit is perfect for shaded borders, woodland gardens, and containers, while delicate flower stems add a soft finishing touch. A stunning choice for modern or classic landscapes 

Want to Build a Balanced Garden?

Bring your garden together with plants that thrive in sun and shade, creating color and interest all season 

Explore Complementary Plants

Copyright © 2026 Olson's Nursery - All Rights Reserved.

1301 Main Street, Union Grove WI 53182

Phone:  262.400.3219

Serving Union Grove, Racine County, and Southeast Wisconsin 

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