What are some colorful flowering plants that do well in a shady area?

I planted iris' on the side of my house but they dont seem to be doing well (established 2-3 yrs) so Im moving them to a sunnier area and would like to put a flower/plant to replace them. Im looking at something that will come back every year and be low maintainence. Also I may be trying to rent my house so maybe a landscaping eye-pleaser ....also, there are already bushes very well spaced on the side of the townhome, with leaves that turn bright red in the autumn.---thanks !!! :)

FlowersBirthday FlowersSympathy FlowersHosta lilies are the obvious answer but their flowers don't really appeal to many people. Daylilies might work for you, especially the old-fashioned tawnys. They are bullet proof, don't allow weeds and don't really require that much sun. Coneflower is supposed to need sun but I grew it in a very shady area of my MN garden and it bloomed all summer, it was a paler pink than the ones in the sun but just as tall and sturdy. It's another plant that knows how to take care of itself and isn't picky.


Edit ) I'm sorry, I neglected to answer your qestion about petunias. No they aren't perrennials though they will often reseed but not in such a way as to reliably fill your bed with the color or size that you would like. They are great though, aren't they?
Reply:Definitely 'impatiens'! When they become leggy, just snip them off, leaving about 1" above the soil. In a few weeks time, they will be covered in beautiful colorful flowers all over again!
Reply:Bleeding Hearts: red heart shaped flowers with white


Begonias: variety solid colors


Fuschia: red/purple red/white


Astilbe: red, white, purple, pink


Hardy Geranium: variety of colors


Crocus: variety of colors


Caladiums: red, white, purple, pink,(all with a bit of green)


Toad Lily: Exotic mix of blooms





Just to name a few!
Reply:Angelita, there is a plant called "Hostah"s". They are a plant that has green leaves, and blossom a flower. They cover alot of territory.And come in many species.
Reply:have you thought of clivia, they are very hardy clumping plants that have strappy dark green leaves, when in flower they have orange, or yellow flowers.
Reply:Are you only interested in planting bulbs? How about Tiger Lilies? Very hardy and a multitude of colors to choose from.


Personally I always go with impatiens or petunias when in need of something hardy and still colorful.


Geraniums and pansies will pretty much grow anywhere.
Reply:Impatients.


Many colors.


Mast planted they are beautiful.


Add some gladiolas for cut flowers.


Caladiums .


Begonias.
Reply:ANNUALS


CANNAS DO NOT FLOWER IN SHADY AREAS, BUT ARE STILL BEAUTIFUL FOILAGE PLANTS
Reply:Impatience. And depending on where you live, they could be annuals or perenials.





Not too many flowering plants grow in the shade. But Impatience do wonderful and they are very colorful!! You can get them in solid colors or mixed. Personally, I find the mixed to be a favorite.
Reply:Hostas come in various shades of green and blue, as well as the variegated varieties. We have rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susans) growing in a shady area and the do very well. The don't get as tall as they do in the sun and they re-seed themselves.





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Good Luck and Happy Gardening from Cathy and Neal!
Reply:Astilbes are a good perennial for shade areas. They come in a wide range of reds, pinks, white and peach. They grow well with hostas which are mainly grown for the wide variations of their leaves but also have beautiful lily-like flowers. They bloom at various times of the summer, late spring to early fall.





If I were to plant an area like you are describing, I would go with hostas. They are very low maintenance, very hardy, and come in a very wide selection. I would suggest going to your local garden center or nursery, and look at them. In the meantime, go to this web site for a look at what is out there.





http://hostalibrary.org/





If you would like a little more color, I would suggest planting a few impatiens in with the hostas. They are annual but give you a lot of summer color for little money.visual arts