Bulbs for Shade H-Lu

This page lists alphabetically genera or species from H-Lu recommended for growing in shade by members of the PBS list, sometimes with comments, followed by the name and the location of the person who suggested them, usually from experience growing them. There are links for more information and if we have photos of these plants on the wiki, we have included a few photos to illustrate them on this page.


Haemanthus albiflos was recommended by Rhoda McMaster as a plant that looks good planted in front of Clivia and has white flowers in early winter followed by red berries. Jim Shields in central Indiana recommended it for people in warmer climates or for growing in a greenhouse.

Haemanthus albiflos leaves, Kei River mouth, Andrew HarvieHaemanthus albiflos, Mary Sue IttnerHaemanthus albiflos, fruit, Cameron McMaster

Haemanthus deformis was recommended by Jim Shields in central Indiana for regions where it is hardy outdoors (or greenhouses) as needing deep shade.

Haemanthus deformis, Mary Sue IttnerHaemanthus deformis, Mary Sue Ittner

Haemanthus pauculifolius was recommended by Jim Shields in central Indiana for regions where it is hardy outdoors (or greenhouses) as tolerating moderate shade.

Haemanthus pauculifolius, Mary Sue IttnerHaemanthus pauculifolius, specimen plant, Uluwehi Knecht

Hepatica nobilis was recommended by someone who grew it in partial shade in Iowa, Indiana, and Michigan.

Hepatica nobilis, John LonsdaleHepatica nobilis, John LonsdaleHepatica nobilis, John Lonsdale

Hippeastrum hybrids were recommended by Boyce Tankersley from his time in Texas, both zone 7 and 8.

Hippeastrum 'Baby Star', Jay YourchHippeastrum 'Yume Mitai', Lee Poulsen

Hippeastrum papilio was recommended by Patty Colville, Southern California.

Hippeastrum papilio, Mariano Saviello

Hyacinthoides hispanica or the Spanish blue bell is a great shade bulb but forms vary depending on the source and what is sold from some catalogues can be a hybrid between it and Hyacinthoides non-scripta. It naturalizes in some places of the world which is either good or bad depending on the preferences of the gardener. Favored by Jamie Vande, France; Chuck Gleaves, Ohio, Ann, Southern California.

Hyacinthoides hispanica plants, Eugene ZielinskiHyacinthoides hispanica, Mary Sue Ittner

Hyacinthoides non-scripta seems better adapted to shade than Hyacinthoides hispanica according to Jane McGary, Oregon. Boyce Tankersley nominated this plant for his time spent in Missouri and Scotland. Roland from France also suggested this species.

Hyacinthoides non-scripta, Lake District, UK, Bob RutemoellerHyacinthoides non-scripta close-up, Bob Rutemoeller

Hymenocallis was a favorite genus for Boyce Tankersley when he lived in Galveston, Texas, zone 8. Patty Colville in Southern California had a favorite Hymenocallis, but it was not identified by name.

Hymenocallis eucharidifolia is grown by Jim Shields in Indiana in moderate shade in a lath house.

Hymenocallis eucharidifolia, Lee Poulsen

Hymenocallis occidentalis needs partial shade according to Jim Shields, Indiana.

Hymenocallis occidentalis umbel, Jay Yourch

Impatiens flanaganae was recommended by a grower in Northern California who grows this species in partial shade.

Impatiens flanaganae, Jim Murrain

Impatiens tinctoria was recommended by a gardener in Northern California who grows this species in partial shade. It is suitable for maritime climates with cooler summers.

Impatiens tinctoria, Nhu Nguyen

Iris reticulata cultivars were favorites of Boyce Tankersley when in lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico, zone 7 and arid.

Iris 'George', John LonsdaleIris 'Harmony', Jay Yourch

Kaempferia is a rhizomatous genus in the Zingiberaceae family recommended by Tim Chapman, south Louisiana. Boyce Tankersley recommended this family from his time spent in the cloud forests of southern Costa Rica.

Kaempferia elegans 'Shazaam', Alani DavisKaempferia pulchra 'Silverspot', Alani Davis

Leucojum aestivum was mentioned by Mary Sue Ittner, coastal Northern California as carefree and not needing water in summer and not eaten by deer. Boyce Tanksersley also found it a favorite when living in Las Cruces, New Mexico, zone 7 and arid.

Leucojum aestivum, Rob Hamilton

Lilium longiflorum hybrids were mentioned by Boyce Tankersley from his time in Las Cruces, New Mexico, zone 7 and arid.

Lilium longiflorum, Darm CrookLilium longiflorum, Darm Crook

Lilium martagon is a wonderful bulb for shade that seems easy to please and is possible to grow quite easily from seed. It comes in several forms and colors: white, a mauvey-reddish-pink and a claret red. Suggested by Ernie O'Byrne, Oregon. Rodger Whitlock, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada also recommends hybrids of this species and related species.

Lilium martagon v. cattaniae, Darm CrookLilium martagon, Darm Crook

Lilium maritimum grows and blooms in a very shady part of Mary Sue Ittner’s garden every year and survives with little care. Jane McGary noted it is habitat-specific and might not be an easy plant to grow in most gardens.

Lilium maritimum, Bob Rutemoeller

Lilium pardalinum according to Jane McGary, Oregon is a good doer almost anywhere and one of the few lilies that can cope with burrowing bulb-eaters, having an extensive, rhizome-like bulb with many loose scales that will renew it after attack. It is also favored by Mary Sue Ittner, Northern California.

Lilium pardalinum, UC Botanical Garden, Nhu NguyenLilium pardalinum, Jamie Vande

Lilium szovitzianum was suggested by Rodger Whitlock, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Lilium szovitsianum, John Lykkegaard JohansenLilium szovitsianum, Darm Crook

Index for Bulbs for Shade - Bulbs for Shade A-B - Bulbs for Shade Ca-Cl - Bulbs for Shade Co-Cy - Bulbs for Shade D-G - Bulbs for Shade Ly-O - Bulbs for Shade P-Z


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