Shady Sanctuaries

Transform your shady garden into a vibrant sanctuary with the Shady Sanctuaries collection. Specially curated for part-shade to full-shade areas, this collection features pink and lavender blooms that will attract butterflies, native bees, and birds throughout the growing season. Perfect for creating a serene, wildlife-friendly garden, this collection adds beauty and biodiversity to shaded spaces.

What’s Included:

This collection features three native perennials, chosen for their ability to thrive in shady conditions while supporting pollinators and wildlife:

• Blue Wood Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium): Delicate lavender-blue flowers bloom in late summer and fall, providing essential nectar for bees and butterflies.
• Jacob’s Ladder (Polemonium reptans): Clusters of lovely violet-blue, bell-shaped flowers in early spring provide a vital, early-season nectar and pollen source for emerging bees and spring pollinators.
• Spotted Joe Pye (Eutrochium maculatum): Tall, fragrant mauve flower clusters bloom in mid-summer, offering nectar to pollinators and seeds for birds in the fall.

Key Features:

• Shade Loving Plants: Designed specifically for gardens with part-shade to full-shade, adding vibrant color and texture.
• Pollinator Habitat: Attracts and supports bees, butterflies, and birds with nectar-rich blooms and seeds.
• Seasonal Blooms: Provides vibrant flowers across three seasons, ensuring year-round ecological benefits and garden interest.
• Low Maintenance: Thrives with minimal care and requires less water once established.
• Deer Resistant: Resilient to deer browsing, making it perfect for shaded woodland gardens.
• Pollinator-Safe: Grown non-GMO and free of harmful neonicotinoids, promoting a healthy ecosystem for pollinators and wildlife.

Available in collections of nine, 18, or 27 plants to suit gardens of any size.

Why Choose the Shady Sanctuaries Collection?

The Shady Sanctuaries collection is the perfect solution for gardeners seeking to bring life and color to shaded areas. By planting these native perennials, you’ll create a lush habitat for pollinators and birds while enhancing your garden with soft, seasonal blooms. Whether for woodland edges, shaded garden beds, or naturalized areas, this collection combines beauty, sustainability, and ecological value.

Planting Tips:

1. Location: Plant in part shade to full shade with well-drained soil.
2. Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots. Once established, these plants require less water.
3. Maintenance: Minimal care required. There's no need to deadhead the flowers, as allowing them to go to seed provides a valuable food source for birds. Leaving the stems standing in the fall offers overwintering sites for beneficial insects. If desired, cut back the stems in late spring after pollinators have emerged. 

For more information on planting, view our How to Plant Your Native Plants guide and other planting tips in the Garden for Wildlife Learning Center. 

Create a peaceful and vibrant retreat with the Shady Sanctuaries Collection. Its soft, seasonal blooms and pollinator-friendly nature make it an essential addition to any shaded garden.