This page lists alphabetically genera or species from Ly-O 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.
Lycoris chinensis is a spring growing species for light shade recommended by Jim Shields in Indiana.
Lycoris longituba is a spring growing species for light shade recommended by Jim Shields in Indiana.
Lycoris radiata was a favorite of Boyce Tankersley during his time in Galveston, Texas, zone 8.
Lycoris sprengeri is a spring growing species for light shade recommended by Jim Shields in Indiana.
Lycoris squamigera was a successful shade plant for Chuck Gleaves in zone 5 climate in north-central Ohio. He wrote: "In one area its inflorescence come up through the fern Matteuccia struthiopteris very nicely and in another area its flowers were so intermingled with hostas that some people thought we had pink blooming hostas." This species was also a favorite of Boyce Tankersley from his time in Fort Worth, Texas, zone 7.
Maianthemum species (formerly widely grown under the genus name Smilacina) were recommended by Roland from France.
Melanthium virginicum, syn. Veratrum virginicum, was suggested by Mark McDonough, Massachusetts, USDA Zone 5 who described a beautiful branched spire of bloom. This species apparently has an unpleasant smell, but Ellen Hornig wrote: "The flowers, however, are glorious to look at."
Muscari armeniacum was a favorite shade bulb for Boyce Tankersley in Fort Worth, Texas, zone 7, humid and Las Cruces, New Mexico, zone 7, dry. Jane McGary, northwestern Oregon, suggested treating this species and Muscari azureum, now Pseudomuscari azureum, as ground covers under trees and shrubs interplanted with ajuga or some similar controllable ground cover to conceal the dying leaves.
Colleen in northeast California reported "grape hyacinths", a common name for Muscari in the Botryanthus group as living happily in the lawn under her elm trees.
Narcissus was suggested by a number of people: Roland from France, Boyce Tankersley from his time on the west coast of Scotland and in Fort Worth, Texas, zone 7 and humid, and Judy Glattstein from New Jersey. Lin Grado from eastern Texas plants narcissus under deciduous trees where they get enough winter sun for foliage to restore the bulb for the next year, and aren't subject to blazing sun in summer. Jane McGary recommended larger narcissus, especially the Narcissus cyclamineus hybrids that flower early for deciduous shade, but noted some needed more sun to do well. She had many clumps that had been planted in the woods surviving for 12-15 years, originally planted there to help protect from the bulb fly.
Narcissus cyclamineus was a species that Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, noted would do well in the shade.
Narcissus 'Eystettensis' was a cultivar that Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, noted would do well in the shade.
Nerine bowdenii, a semi-deciduous species with large pink flowers in late summer/autumn, was suggested by Rhoda McMaster.
Nerine undulata, also semi-deciduous with pink flowers in late summer/autumn, was suggested by Rhoda McMaster.
Oxalis tetraphylla 'Iron Cross' was a favorite of Ann, Southern California.
Index for Bulbs for Shade - Bulbs for Shade A-B - Bulbs for Shade Ca-Cl - Bulbs for Shade Co-Cy - Bulbs for Shade D-F - Bulbs for Shade H-Lu - Bulbs for Shade P-Z