Growing full-sun native prairie grasses in Minnesota is easy. The difficult question is what low-maintenance perennial wildflowers grow in the shade. Here are some of our interesting favorites and advice on designing and planning your low-maintenance native shade garden.
First, properly set your expectations. Prairies don’t grow in shade, and they don’t grow fast. Don’t plant full-sun plants because the tag mentions “part-shade.” You are likely looking for full-shade tolerant Savanna plants that naturally grow with the Oaks, Aspen, Maples, and Basswoods of the local Minnesota landscape. Two good resources for finding more information about native plants are Blue Thumb, a non-profit dedicated to all things native, and Prairie Moon Nursery, a grower and seed supplier of native plants.
Pennsylvania Sedge
Our favorite shade perennial for airy light green foliage in shade. Penn Sedge is a perennial Carex that actually grows under the densely shaded canopy of Maples, a dead zone for many domesticated perennials and landscape shrubs! Carex is a grass-like native perennial sedge. It makes a beautiful meadow of lush grass-like plants and in designs, it can grow under and around taller meadow plants. This Sedge is typically deer-resistant and bunny-resistant, too. We recommend only purchasing live plants in bare root or potted plant form. These native seeds have a very low germination rate.
Wild Geranium
Wild Geraniums add charming periwinkle purple wildflowers to the shade. In fall, their leaves turn shades of brick red and purple, adding interest to the landscape. Wild Geraniums have been cultivated and domesticated. Domestic varieties such as Blevins are popular and are typically deer—and rabbit-resistant. Planting several plug or gallon-size pots lends better success than seeding. This is a good substitute for Hosta perennials.
Purists may scoff at designing and planting a combination of domestic and native plants, but a mix of plants is better for wildlife and pollinators than more boring and high-maintenance sod.
Canadian Columbine
A fan favorite! Columbine perennials have the most fascinating structure of shade-loving native perennials. They can grow 24-36” in spring, have lobed leaf sets, and have ornate orange-red blooms that resemble Chinese Lanterns. We recommend seeding this native plant in a shaded landscape just before it snows. We’ve had excellent germination results over both bare soil and deadened and raked turf grass.
Early Meadow Rue, Thalictrum
This flower adds much-desired height to a shade garden with fairly consistent moisture. This perennial wildflower is as low maintenance of a shade wildflower as it gets. Any Minnesota Landscape designer should be familiar with this native when looking for tall deer-resistant shade plants that work well in a maintenance prairie-style landscape for Minnesota.
Soloman’s Seal
Adds arching drama to a native landscape design. This wildflower pokes its head out of the ground in early spring, which adds an interesting design element to a native landscape design. Each year, it expands little by little in a shady garden. Planting seeds is not recommended due to poor germination. Purchase these wildflowers from a local prairie restoration center in either bare root plant form or potted plants. A domesticated variegated Solomon’s Seal is available for added interest!