Bulbs for Shade P-Z

This page lists alphabetically genera or species from P-Z 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.


Paris polyphylla, syn. Daiswa polyphylla, was recommended by someone from Northern California who grows it in mostly shade and noted that it grows in shade in the UC Botanical Garden.

Paris polyphylla, Nhu NguyenParis polyphylla, Nhu Nguyen

Polygonatum was suggested by Roland from France.

Polygonatum × hybridum, David PillingPolygonatum odoratum 'Variegatum', Jay Yourch

Proiphys amboinensis does OK in Jim Shields' shade house in central Indiana in summer.

Proiphys amboinensis foliage, Eugene ZielinskiProiphys amboinensis flowers, Eugene Zielinski

Proiphys cunninghamii does OK in Jim Shields' shade house in central Indiana in summer.

Proiphys cunninghamii, Bill Dijk

Prosartes smithii, syn. Disporum smithii, was recommended by a gardener who notes it grows in the shade in coastal Northern California. Mary Sue Ittner has a plant in her garden she grew from seed that grows in the shade and comes back every year and after many years is now starting to increase.

Prosartes smithii, Mary Sue IttnerProsartes smithii, Bob RutemoellerProsartes smithii berries, Mary Sue Ittner

Pseudomuscari azureum (syn. Muscari azureum) was suggested by Jane McGary, northwestern Oregon, to be treated as a ground cover grown under trees and shrubs interplanted with ajuga or some similar controllable ground cover to conceal the dying leaves.

Pseudomuscari azureum, Mary Sue Ittner

Rhodophiala bifida does well in shade in north east Texas (zone 8a) according to Lin Grado.

Rhodophiala bifida by Lee PoulsenRhodophiala bifida by Mark Wilcox

Roscoea was a favorite genus of shade bulbs for Boyce Tankersley in Galveston, Texas, zone 8.

Roscoea auriculata, Rob HamiltonRoscoea purpurea 'Red Gurkha', Nhu Nguyen

Sanguinaria canadensis was recommended by Rodger Whitlock, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Sanguinaria canadensis, Nhu Nguyen

Sauromatum venosum was suggested by a grower who has this species in partial shade in Northern California.

Sauromatum venosum, David PillingSauromatum venosum, Jim McKenney

Scadoxus multiflorus for warm climates or greenhouses was suggested by Jim Shields, Ohio

Scadoxus multiflorus ssp. katharinae, Doug WestfallScadoxus multiflorus ssp. multiflorus, Nicholas Wightman

Scadoxus puniceus was the top Scadoxus choice of Jim Shields, Ohio, for warm climates and greenhouses and was recommended by Rhoda McMaster, South Africa, for its showy red flowers in spring to early summer followed by red berries.

Scadoxus puniceus,Glen Avon, Bob RutemoellerScadoxus puniceus, Mary Sue Ittner

Scilla siberica was a favorite for Boyce Tankersley in Chicago, Illinois zone 5 and Jim Shields in central Indiana who found it naturalized in light shade.

Scilla siberica, Jay Yourch

Tricyrtis yellow spotted purple or red flowered species look better growing in the shade according to Matthew Gale, Birmingham, UK.

Tricyrtis ohsumiensis, Mari Kitama

Trillium was recommended by Judy Glattstein from New Jersey as an elegant addition to the spring garden in the northeastern United States and by Rodger Whitlock, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and Jim Shields, central Indiana. Jane McGary, Oregon commented that for the Mediterranean climates the western American ones do much better than the more numerous eastern species and the rare-in-cultivation East Asian ones. Some of the western American species are pictured below.

Trillium albidum, looking down on multiple stems, Dave BrastowTrillium chloropetalum, Ernie O'ByrneTrillium ovatum, spotted leaves, Mary Sue Ittner

Trillium grandiflorum was a favorite of Boyce Tankersley for Chicago, Illinois zone 5.

Trillium grandiflorum, photo by John Lonsdale

Trillium recurvatum was noted over other species by Jim Shields in central Indiana.

Trillium recurvatum, John LonsdaleTrillium recurvatum, John Lonsdale

Uvularia grandiflora was suggested because this species grows in partial shade in Northern California. It is a woodland plant native from Canada to the southeastern United States and it has been seen growing in deciduous shade in the midwest (United States).

Uvularia grandiflora, John LonsdaleUvularia grandiflora, David Pilling

Veltheimia bracteata has gorgeous leaves, is in bloom for a long time and there is great anticipation as it unfolds. It has only a short dormant period and can tolerate sun too. Favored by Digby Boswell and Rhoda McMaster, South Africa; Mary Sue Ittner, Northern California; Pat Colville and Jennifer Hildebrand, Southern California.

Veltheimia bracteata, Bob RutemoellerVeltheimia bracteata, Susan Hayek

Veratrum californicum was mentioned by Jane McGary, Oregon, grown more for the handsome "architectural" foliage than for the flowers.

Veratrum californicum, Kathleen SayceVeratrum californicum, Richard HaardVeratrum californicum, Nhu Nguyen

Zantedeschia aethiopica was recommended by Ann, Southern California, and by Rhoda McMaster from South Africa. It has naturalized in coastal Northern California. Rhoda also suggested the 'Green Goddess' variety with green-tipped flowers.

Zantedeschia aethiopica, Mary Sue IttnerZantedeschia aethiopica, Tulbagh, Bob RutemoellerZantedeschia aethiopica 'Green Goddess', Janos Agoston

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 Ly-O


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Page last modified on March 31, 2019, at 06:10 PM
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