Bulbs for Shade D-G

This page lists alphabetically genera or species from D-G 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.


Dicentra was recommended by Jim Shields in central Indiana and Boyce Tankersley for Chicago, Illinois, zone 5.

Dicentra canadensis, Nhu NguyenDicentra eximia, John LonsdaleDicentra formosa, Richard Haard

Dracunculus vulgaris was a favorite bulb for shade of Boyce Tankersley when he lived in St. Louis, Missouri, zone 6.

Dracunculus vulgaris, Giorgio PozziDracunculus opened, Giorgio Pozzi

Erythronium is a popular choice for shade and was mentioned by Rodger Whitlock, British Columbia, Canada, who said some of the species seemed to do well in semi-shade rather than deep shade. It was also recommended by Jim Shields, central Indiana. The western species are adapted to dry summers. They can be difficult to obtain, but can be grown from seed, flowering in about 4 years.

Erythronium americanum was one of Boyce Tankersley's favorite woodland bulbs during a time he lived on the west coast of Scotland.

Erythronium americanum, John Lonsdale

Erythronium helenae is a good choice for summer dry gardens in areas that do not get very cold in winter. It is recommended by Mary Sue Ittner, Northern California and Jane McGary, Oregon.

Erythronium helenae, Lake County, Mary Sue IttnerErythronium helenae, Lake County, Mary Sue Ittner

Erythronium hendersonii is from the Siskiyous and is adapted to dry periods. It is recommended by Jane McGary, Oregon.

Erythronium hendersonii, Jane McGaryErythronium hendersonii, John Lonsdale

Erythronium howellii is recommended by Mary Sue Ittner, Northern California who especially likes the leaves that are very dramatic when they first appear and still beautiful as they become more green as time passes.

Erythronium howellii, leaf,  Mary Sue IttnerErythronium howellii,  Mary Sue Ittner

Erythronium multiscapideum is a good choice for summer dry gardens in areas that do not get very cold in winter. It is recommended by Mary Sue Ittner, Northern California and Jane McGary, Oregon. It is an early bloomer.

Erythronium multiscapideum, Mary Sue IttnerErythronium multiscapideum, UC Botanical Garden

Erythronium revolutum was the favorite fawn lily of Ernie O'Byrne, Oregon who loves the mottling on the leaves and the large dark or light pink flowers, and the proportion of flower to leaf. It is a plant of cool conditions in Oregon's coastal mountains. Jane McGary noted it was a popular choice for gardens and Rodger Whitlock, British Columbia, Canada, that it enjoyed shady damp conditions.

Erythronium revolutum, Mary Sue IttnerErythronium revolutum, Kathleen Sayce

Erythronium tuolumnense is a Western species with yellow flowers that Jane McGary, Oregon, wrote was popular in gardens.

Erythronium tuolumnense, John Lonsdale

Freesia alba (syn. Freesia leichtlinii ssp. alba) grows and flowers in both sun and shade in Mary Sue Ittner's coastal Northern California garden.

Freesia alba, Cameron McMasterFreesia alba, Cameron McMaster

Freesia laxa was recommended by Rhoda McMaster from South Africa. This plant naturalizes in shade in many areas. The blue variety flowers in winter, the whites and reds flower in spring/early summer.

Freesia laxa, Mary Sue IttnerFreesia laxa 'Joan Evans', Sheila BurrowFreesia laxa ssp. azurea, Sheila Burrow

Fritillaria was mentioned by Jane McGary, Oregon, who noted that many species grow in woodland so could be considered for shade, but all are vulnerable to slugs and snails which also can be found in shade.

Fritillaria affinis was a species recommended by Jane McGary, Oregon,

Fritillaria affinis, Mary Sue IttnerFritillaria affinis, Point Reyes National Seashore, Nhu NguyenFritillaria affinis var. tristulis, Tilden BG, Nhu Nguyen

Fritillaria camschatensis was suggested by Rodger Whitlock, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.

Fritillaria camschatcensis, John LonsdaleFritillaria camschatcensis, John Lonsdale

Galanthus was favored by Boyce Tankersley in Chicago, Illinois zone 5 and St. Louis Missouri zone 6 and by Jamie Vande, Cologne, Germany. Judy Glattstein from New Jersey wrote: "Galanthus needs must include a diversity of species: common Galanthus nivalis, larger and earlier Galanthus elwesii, bright green leafed Galanthus woronowii, and any others you might happen to have available."

Galanthus nivalis, David PillingGalanthus elwesii, photo by Jay YourchGalanthus woronowii, David Pilling

Globba is a rhizomatous genus in the Zingiberaceae family recommended by Tim Chapman, south Louisiana. Boyce Tankersley recommended this family from his time spent in the cloud forests of southern Costa Rica.

Globba schomburgkii, Lee PoulsenGlobba schomburgkii, Alani DavisGlobba winitti 'Mauve Dancing Girl', Alani Davis

Index for Bulbs for Shade - Bulbs for Shade A-B - Bulbs for Shade Ca-Cl - Bulbs for Shade Co-Cy - Bulbs for Shade H-Lu - Bulbs for Shade Ly-O - Bulbs for Shade P-Z


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Page last modified on November 02, 2015, at 07:19 AM
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