Columbines

• Many perennials suited to shade gardens, including columbines, are native, woodland plants. Create similar conditions for best growth. Columbines thrive in partial shade and moist, loose soil. They grow 3 feet high and produce delicate blue, white, yellow, pink, red or multicolored blooms. The plants are cold-hardy and self-sow easily. They bloom in late spring and early summer.
  
  

Coral Bells

• If you think coral bells are old-fashioned and sedate, think again. New varieties have brilliant foliage in black, orange, violet or chartreuse. They have a pleasing rounded form and produce clusters of bell-like flowers in spring. Plant coral bells in partial to deep shade and keep the soil evenly moist.
  
  

Bleeding Heart

• Bleeding heart has an upright, bushy form and delicate, heart-shaped pink, white or red blossoms that dangle in the wind. The plant dwindles in the summer, so plant it with other plants to hide its scraggly foliage. It thrives in partial to full shade and prefers moist, slightly acidic soil.
  
  

Monkshood

• Plant monkshood at the back of a perennial garden because it grows 3 to 4 feet high. The plant thrives in partial shade and prefers rich, moist soil. It produces spikes of blue flowers in summer to fall, when few other shade-loving perennials are blooming. Use caution if you have children or pets because all parts of the plant are toxic.
  
  

Wild Geranium

• Not to be confused with the annual geraniums grown in pots, wild geraniums have a mounded form and attractive green foliage. They produce small clusters of flowers in shades of pink, crimson, purple, lavender and blue. They bloom from late spring to summer. Plant wild geranium in partial shade with moist, well-drained soil.
  
  

Foxglove

• If you have a partially shaded, wooded location with moist, slightly acidic soil, then plant foxgloves. They don't do well in areas with hot, humid summers, but thrive in cool climates. Plant them at the back of the garden because they grow 3 to 4 feet. They produce clusters of large, bell-shaped flowers and may require staking. All parts of foxglove are poisonous.
  
  

Astilbe

• Astilbes have fernlike foliage and stalks of feathery flowers, ranging from white to dark red, pink or coral. The plants thrive in partial shade and moist, acidic soil. They range from 8 inches to 4 feet high, depending on the variety.