If you are looking for easy flower bulbs for shady areas, whether deep shade or partial shade, this list is the place to start. These shade-loving spring-planted bulbs can be planted in your garden, in containers on a shaded porch or patio, and even in shaded window boxes.
Read on for Breck’s recommended bulbs for full shade and partial shade, and tips for maximizing blooms in shady gardens.
Breck’s Best Bulbs for Full Shade
These shade-loving bulbs are all low maintenance, easy to grow and deer resistant.
Begonias – Beloved begonias are the best bulbs for maximizing flowers in full shade. These are the longest-blooming bulbs we offer for deep shade spots. They are ideal for shaded garden borders, patio containers, hanging baskets and window baskets. With huge, lush flowers that bloom all summer long, begonias are available in a variety of styles, colours and shapes. You'll enjoy our picotee and double-blooming varieties, as well as our customer-favourite cascading begonias. These tender plants must be lifted seasonally or brought indoors in areas that have winter frost or freeze. Shop Begonias
Caladiums – These stunning foliage plants are must-haves for any shaded areas of your outdoor space, including patios and even groundcover. Plant bulbs in spring to enjoy lovely, heart-shaped leaves all summer, available in pink, white, green, red and other hues. These tender plants must be lifted seasonally or brought indoors in areas that have winter frost. Shop Caladiums
Elephant ears – These plants are beloved for huge leaves that sway in the summer breeze, adding dramatic height, uncommon contours and lush colours to any garden. These tender plants are native to hot climates and must be lifted seasonally or brought indoors in areas with winter frost. Shop Elephant Ears
Arum italicum – Sometimes called Italian arum or Italian lily, Arum italicum is one of the most unusual shade-loving bulbs. Green blooms similar to jack-in-the-pulpits appear in early summer, followed by small clusters of red berries. Arrow-shaped foliage becomes marbled and silver veined in the fall. It is known to naturalize and spread in shaded gardens. Shop Arum italicum
Breck’s Best Bulbs for Partial Shade
Calla lilies – Known for their elegant, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom all summer, calla lilies exude a sophisticated charm that captivate gardeners and floral enthusiasts alike. These bulbs produce blooms in a vivid spectrum of colours. Adaptable and relatively easy to care for, callas thrive in both garden beds and containers. These tender plants are native to hot climates and must be lifted seasonally or brought indoors in areas that have winter frost. Shop Callas
Dutch irises - Dutch iris bulbs feature the iconic flower forms of traditional irises with unique grasslike foliage. Best planted in gardens where they can naturalize and spread, these flower bulbs will return year after year with rich jewel-tone blooms in late spring and early summer. Shop Dutch Irises
Lilies – Lilies are known for their huge, elegant blooms and perfumed fragrance. Breck’s offers a variety of lilies with a range of bloom times throughout late spring and summer, though you may see some reduced flowering in lower light areas. Planting lily bulbs in your garden is a great way to ensure you can enjoy their beautiful blooms for years to come. Shop Lilies
Unique bulbs for partial shade gardens include crocosmia, freesia, tiger flower, summer trumpets, triteleia, pineapple lilies, peacock orchida, anemones , summer hyacinth and Chinese ground orchids. Shop All Shade-Loving Bulbs
Breck’s, a trusted name in gardening for more than 200 years, is where you can shop for the finest shade-tolerant bulbs. They are fully backed by our no-risk lifetime guarantee, so you can shop confidently.
Tips to Maximize Blooms in Shady Gardens
- Use Breck's® Food for Bulbs and Perennials, created by Breck’s Dutch bulb experts. This special blend of slow-release fertilizers helps bulbs develop healthier roots, grow bigger and stronger, and bloom longer and brighter.
- Plant a mix of flower varieties with different bloom times to extend your garden’s bloom time.
- Incorporate shade-loving fall-planted bulbs and shade-loving perennials into your garden for blooms from spring through fall. Learn more about our recommendations: Shade-Loving fall planted bulbs and Shade-Loving Perennials
Bulb FAQs
When is the right time to plant bulbs for a shade garden?
The spring-planted bulbs in this blog post are all planted in spring for summer colour.
Learn more about Fall-Planted Bulbs for Shade
Where can I get a variety pack of bulbs for shade?
When you buy bulbs in bulk and in mixes from Breck’s, you can enjoy a more affordable way to plant your favourite flowers.
For full shade, try begonia and caladium mixes. Shop Bulb Collections for Full Shade
For partial shade, try lily mixes, freesia mixes, calla mixes and unique blooms like a mix of tiger flowers. Shop Bulb Collections for Partial Shade
How to improve drainage for bulbs in shade?
Adding organic matter, such as compost or peat moss, or sand to your soil can help improve drainage. Also, creating raised beds can be a great way to ensure proper drainage and soil quality.
Learn More: How to Prepare Soil for Planting