6 Flowers that Grow in the Shade

Yay! It's gardening season. But that doesn't mean it's all sun and fun. If any of you mamas are like me, you have a partially shaded garden. While some areas of my garden get tons of sun, there are other parts that throw me nothing but shade all summer long. Contrary to popular belief, there are a ton of flowers that need very little sun to grow. The heat is actually all the sun warmth they need. Here are six summer shade flowers for us gardening newbies.ImpatiensI love this flower because it comes in a variety of colors and can take or leave sunlight. Purple, pink, white and I've even seen them in blue and they need no sun. Zip, zero, nada! They're shady little babies.BegoniaThis thick stemmed beauty is hardy and easy to please. They bloom mid-summer in my zone (Zone 6) and will stick around until well after the first frost. It needs no direct sunlight (it will actually scorch with too much sun) and is low-maintenance on water as well. This is an annual in most of the northern U.S. and will not regrow each year. Easy-peasy.Coral BellsThis flower is a perennial (indigenous) in my zone and will come back every year whether you've got sun or not. Just watch her, coral can go crazy and pop up all of your garden if you're not careful. She starts off with green (or even dark red) foliage, the flowers bloom when she receives proper care (no direct sunlight and moist, but not wet soil).Siberian IrisPurple and gorgeous. Siberian Iris is a spring bloomer that can be used as a background flower for other spring flowers. My iris's are usually the last bloomers of my shady spring perennials. They are great to situate in the back of your other spring bloomers to shine as your final pop of spring color. Iris will return every spring once planted.Baby Blue Eyes