Easy annual shade flowers bring quick seasonal color to brighten garden corners, infill beds around trees and shrubs, punctuate the border, and pop in a pot. With nearly instant gratification, they refresh the look of the space for a boost in curb appeal and a long season of enjoyment.

Annuals do all of their growing, flowering, and seeding in a single season, letting us get creative with colors, forms, and combinations before they fade as conditions get too cold or hot. While shade annuals may seem more limited than the rows and rows of sun-loving selections on nursery tables, there are lots of options that run the spectrum from partial to full shade. 

The key to selecting easy annual shade flowers is to know the amount of sunlight the area receives throughout the day, if any. Partial shade is roughly four or more hours of sunlight per day, while full shade is less than four hours. Many flowering annuals show color with at least four hours of sun, performing well in intermittent light and especially with morning sun. Others are happiest in bright, indirect light and deeper shade.

Flowering annuals for shade often include dynamic foliage that sometimes outshines the blooms, drawing dramatic interest. Combined, blooming and foliage specimens bring diverse tones, textures, and forms. From tall and upright to spreading and trailing, beautiful selections for shade abound. Cool off in the shade with easy-to-grow annuals that won’t need a lot of tending as they bring swift color.

Impatiens

These popular shade garden blooms look great through first frost.

Impatiens tops the list of most popular bedding for shade with richly colored blooms that blanket mounding foliage from spring until frost. Their single or double flowers shine against the petite, deep green leaves.

From blush pink to bright orange, there’s an impatiens for every shade garden. Use impatiens to gently spill over the bed and container edges. Trailing varieties offer a twist on the originals in planters like window boxes and hanging baskets.

Impatiens walleriana is the classic shade-loving species with water-filled stems. They do best in rich soils and need regular moisture to thrive, especially in the heat of summer. They’re susceptible to downy mildew in damp and humid situations. Allow airflow around the plants, and look for the ‘Beacon’ and ‘Imara’ series for improved disease resistance.

Browallia

Bring a rich blue palette to tricky full shade spots.

Browallia is a true shade annual and a go-to to lighten areas where others won’t bloom. It has starry, five-petaled flowers in white, blue, and purple jewel tones (it’s also known as the amethyst or sapphire flower). Dark green leaves lend an attractive backdrop to the enchanting blooms.

‘Starlight’ is a compact variety, and the ‘Bell’ series gently trails. ‘Endless Illumination’ has purple-blue petals brushed with white centers and blooms all season. The easy annual shade flower is in color from early summer through frost. Try overwintering it indoors for multiple seasons of blooms.

Browallia is low-maintenance and requires little care other than consistent moisture. Pinch stems to encourage branching for a bushy form with more branches for blooming. 

‘Dragon Wing’ Begonia

Dragon Wing begonias are forgiving of a variety of challenging conditions.

Begonias are a staple for sites with less sun and tolerate lower light than many other blooming annuals. ‘Dragon Wing’ begonias bring dramatic flowers and foliage to easygoing and adaptable plants. They tolerate heat, humidity, and even dry conditions. They bring color and texture with slightly arching canes, “winged” leaves, and pendulous flowers. These are a fit for more challenging zones like around tree roots or shrubs, or tucked in among perennials for added seasonal interest.

Angel wing begonias also provide unusual foliar interest and continual flowers. Their wing-shaped leaves feature dramatic mottling in rich tones. Clusters of white, red, pink, or salmon blooms suspend from arching stems.

Feature begonias in beds or containers, where they can move inside for winter or live indoors year-round. The flowers are edible with a slight hint of citrus; pinch a few to garnish summer salads and desserts.

Torenia

Try torenia for pretty mounds of blooms in the shade.

Rely on torenia to cheer all season with continual multi-colored trumpet flowers. The bicolor faces occur in a rainbow of rich pigments, from bright pink to blue, purple, yellow, magenta, and white. The two-lipped flowers resemble snapdragons as they drape from leafy stems.

With a full, loosely mounding form, torenia softens the display along the bed edge or a potted arrangement. They need little care, but if they lose their shape as the season progresses, give them a trim to promote new growth.

Torenia performs best in moist, well-drained soils. Some varieties stand up to high heat and humidity better than others. The ‘Summer Wave’ and ‘Kauai’ series show improved heat, humidity, and drought tolerance.

Lobelia

Choose from popular true blue shades, or pick varieties in lavender, pink, and white.

Lobelia needs some sun exposure for the best flowering, with morning sun or dappled light as ideal. It appreciates afternoon shade to avoid intense rays. In return, it bears a blanket of true-blue flowers that covers delicate gray-green leaves from late spring through frost.

Cultivars bring a range of shades from powder blue to periwinkle, as well as lavender, white, and pink varieties. The dainty flowers cover the mounding or trailing forms in masses when in full bloom. In hot climates, heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Techno Heat Dark Blue’ offer longer blooming as summer temperatures rise.

To promote another flush of flowers, cut back stems after each bloom cycle. Provide moist, organic, well-drained soils.

Scarlet Sage

This easy annual shade flower looks striking all summer.

Salvia coccinea is an easygoing native North American species that blooms from early summer through frost.. The compact sage with spikes of red tubular flowers emerges earlier than other salvias. Cultivars in pink, white, and coral bring soft hues. ‘Coral Nymph’ produces warm coral-pink blooms, while ‘Summer Jewel Pink’ sparkles in pure pink.

The annual (perennial in warm climates) is heat and drought-tolerant and grows with little tending. It yields the most flowers in four or more hours of sun, whether intermittent or in consistent blocks. It appreciates afternoon protection in hot climates. In too much shade, it shows less growth, looser stems, and fewer flowers. 

Deadhead scarlet sage to promote fresh blooms. It grows quickly as an annual, and also reseeds in zones 6 and above for successional seasons of color. The aromatic foliage is deer and rabbit-resistant.

New Guinea Impatiens

Try New Guinea impatiens for larger blooms and showier foliage.

New Guinea impatiens have larger flowers and leaves than the classic tuberous garden impatiens. They tolerate deep shade and also handle some sun better than I. walleriana. More resistant to mildew diseases, they’re an adaptable choice for humid environments.

New Guinea varieties have elongated foliage that may be deep olive or purple with a metallic sheen or variegated, creating a bold contrast to the bright blooms. Like traditional impatiens, flower hues range from pastel to jewel tones to neon.

As impatiens, they rely on regular moisture and prefer soils high in organic matter. They’re available in a variety of habits, including upright, mounding, and spreading.

Fuchsia

Please the hummingbirds with fuchsia’s tubular blooms.

Fuchsia is a favorite for pots, hanging baskets, and draping over bed edges. The highly ornamental, detailed flowers hang delicately from arching stems. Single and double blooms bob in white, pink, red, magenta, purple, and bicolor.

Fuchsia has a long bloom season, with a flush in spring and early summer and repeating into fall. The tubular blooms are a hummingbird favorite. They’re a bit more particular than the easy annual shade flowers on our list and favor bright, indirect light to thrive. They benefit from pinching and pruning during the active growing season to direct growth.

Provide organically rich soils and regular moisture for the best vigor, though they’re somewhat drought-tolerant once established. Fuchsia in pots and hanging baskets overwinter indoors, but can be a challenge.

Tuberous Begonia

Victorian- inspired tuberous begonias offer a rainbow of hues for shady beds.

Tuberous begonias bring a multitude of lightly fragrant single, double, or ruffled blooms. From mellow orange to blush pink, red, white, and bicolors, the spectrum of hues glows in low light. They flower continuously from late spring through frost.

Tuberous begonias rose to popularity in the 1850s Victorian era for their large, luscious blooms and conservatory-worthy features. With forms that trail, they’re ideal in hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers. Upright and standard selections make a striking filler feature in potted arrangements.

Tuberous begonias prefer climates with mild summers and fade in high heat. In southern climates, they perform well as spring annuals that may peter out by peak summer (though cooling shade helps extend their life). In climates with mild summers, the tropicals show color for up to four months or until temperatures drop.

Tuberous types in numerous varieties add light and intrigue with dynamic flowers and foliage. Look for varieties like ‘Nonstop Mocca Deep Orange’ with warm vibrance and ‘Picotee Whit-Pink,’ white-petaled with sweet pink margins.

Strobilanthes

Persian shield thrives with just a bit of morning sun.

Strobilanthes, or Persian shield, is a striking tropical to feature for its spectacular foliage.  Long, lance-shaped leaves are iridescent purple with deep green edges. The metallic royal purple leaves and loose, upright habit lend a lush look as larger annuals for beds and as container thrillers.

Strobilanthes grows quickly in warm temperatures, given regular water and rich, organic soils. The easy annual flower for shade withstands drying out between watering sessions.

Persian shield has the most vibrant color with morning sun or dappled light. Keep them out of direct afternoon sun, which causes fading or scorches leaves.

Bacopa

Use bacopa for a steady supply of trailing blooms.

Bacopa is a small annual with big flower power in terms of steady blooming. The showy trailing annual needs at least some sun to vigorously produce the flat-petaled white, blue, purple, or pink flowers that line tidy, draping stems through frost.

Use bacopa to accent leafy greens and darker foliage selections along the front of the border or edge of a basket or pot. It gives a gentle infusion of color and brightens darker zones.

Bacopa is carefree but fades in extreme heat. In areas with hot summers, look for more heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Tried and True’ or ‘MegaCopa’ with larger blooms and leaves. Bacopa does best in fertile, evenly moist soils, though it tolerates drying out slightly between waterings.

Nasturtium

These easy annual flowers work in sun or shade.

Adaptable nasturtium has attractive round leaves on stems that climb and spread. Big, tubular blooms in yellow, orange, red, and ivory are a magnet for hummingbirds and other pollinators for their nectar. Newer varieties have unique characteristics like deep maroon blossoms, variegated foliage, and trailing qualities for added interest. 

With a loose and rambling form, nasturtium lends itself to informal displays and is both ornamental and edible. The leaf and flower are peppery and make a pretty summer garnish. 

The easy-to-grow annuals develop quickly from seed or nursery starts. They suit hanging baskets and container culture, and even grow indoors in a bright spot. They tolerate dry conditions and some cooling shade, especially in hot, southern climates.

Coleus

Easy care and flashy, coleus is prized for its foliage rather than its flowers.

Coleus is a prize for its dynamic foliage, and while it blooms, the flower spikes are best removed to send all the energy into the robust leaves. The easy-care shade annual standout showcases leaf patterns in splashes and netting in colors that are hot or dark and dramatic. 

There are varieties that tolerate full sun, though most flourish in shade. Little care is necessary except for regular moisture, pinching bloom spikes, and trimming stems if they get leggy.

Chenille Plant

A fun option for hanging baskets, with fuzzy red plumes.

The chenille plant brings wild, tropical flair with long, fuzzy red plumes that dangle from arching stems. The drooping flowers resemble soft cattails in pink and red shades.

While plants grow tall in their hardiness zones, they’re a fit for hanging baskets and containers across others. They thrive in the warm season and overwinter indoors. Give them a heavy prune in spring to promote good form for new growth. They handle regular pruning to maintain a containerized habit.

Sweet Potato Vine

Sweet potato vines perform best in partial shade.

Ornamental sweet potato vines trail vigorously with broad, deeply lobed or heart-shaped leaves. In chartreuse, dark purple, and variegated varieties, they bring high interest, contrast, and texture as they run along bed edges and over containers. Sweet potato vine shows the most color and vigor in partial, rather than deep, shade.

The easy-care vines tolerate brief dry spells, high heat, and humidity. Shady spots provide relief from intense afternoon sun and temperatures, which cause wilting. The resilient sweet potato vines perk up with regular moisture and evening cooling.

Sweet Alyssum

Cheerful and fragrant, sweet alyssum often reseeds.

Sweet alyssum is a tough cool season annual with delicate blooms. In spring and fall, the white blooms cover mounding foliage in clusters. The numerous flowers and their sweet fragrance are a beacon for pollinators.

The easy-care shade annual requires well-drained soils. In the heat of summer, they may turn yellow and fade, to resume blooming with cooler temperatures. Sweet alyssum reseeds in optimal conditions; look for seedlings to pop up the following spring.

Mealycup Sage

This easy annual shade flower is native to the Southwestern US.

Also called blue mealy sage, the pretty blue blooms of this salvia get a “dusting” from fine white hairs. Mealycup sage is native to prairies, plains, and meadows in the Southwestern U.S. and has a wide range. The short-lived perennial makes an excellent annual in climates where it’s not hardy and attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds with its nectar-rich blooms.

Varieties that tend to be more hardy include ‘Augusta Duelberg’ with silvery-white blooms and ‘Henry Duelberg’ with blue flowers. Tall and with prolific bloom spikes, they tolerate heat and drought. Sweetly, these two were discovered in an old Texas cemetery and named for their respective markers.

For a more compact habit and a florific annual or tender perennial, look to ‘Fairy Queen’ with sapphire blue and white flowers. The spot of white is the “fairy dust” on blooming wands.

Caladiums

These easy annuals shine with interesting foliage and colorful veining.

Caladiums have arrow-shaped leaves with dynamic mottling, venation, and blotching in greens, whites, reds, and pinks. The painterly shade-loving specimens vary from tall to low-growing, with lance or fancy leaves. Fancy-leaved varieties are heart-shaped, while lance-shaped leaves are slightly strappier and elongated.

In warm temperatures, caladiums grow easily from small tubers. Plant them a few inches deep and water regularly for fast growth. With consistent water, the tapestry of foliage lasts until fall’s cool temperatures.

Caladiums thrive in open shade with some varieties, especially red lance-leaved, suited to full sun. They develop an ivory spathe flower, but it’s less showy than the foliage. Remove the bloom to direct energy to the leaves for extended color.

Gomphrena

These fun pompom flowers can handle full sun to partial shade.

Gomphrena yields cheery, petite pompoms in red, gold, magenta, and white. The old garden favorite, with perfectly globe-shaped blooms, brings a wash of color in a mass.

‘Fireworks’ has tall stems that reach three to four feet and bright pink powder puffs to light up the garden. They loosen the annual display with airy texture and movement. Small varieties like ‘Ping Pong’ have tight rounds atop compact stems.

Gomphrena grows from seed and thrives in varying exposures, with some sun, in well-drained soil. The tough summer annual withstands heat, humidity, and dry conditions and may overwinter or reseed in mild climates.

Ageratum

Bring shady spots to life with the tufted blooms of ageratum.

Ageratum, or floss flower, has tufts of true blue flowers that bloom from May through October. The feathery bloom clusters add a soft haze with cultivars in pink, white, and lavender. The delicate look and a light fragrance add to their charm.

Ageratum is somewhat drought-tolerant but performs best in moist, well-drained soil. Grow them in dappled or sunny situations, like along a treed edge.

Nicotiana

Flowering tobacco provides a tall backdrop for shaded beds.

Nicotiana stands out with star-shaped trumpet flowers in deep red, pink, lime green, and creamy white. They shine from summer through frost with a sweet fragrance that attracts butterflies, moths, and other pollinators.

Nicotiana grows easily from seed with direct sowing or started indoors. For best blooming and vigor, provide organic soils with even moisture and good drainage. Protection from direct late-day rays is ideal in hot climates.

Nicotiana is a nightshade in the Solanaceae family with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes. It’s best grown away from other nightshades to reduce shared pests and disease transmission like tobacco mosaic virus.

Heliotrope

Plant fragrant heliotrope near seated areas where you can appreciate its beautiful scent.

The heavenly fragrance of heliotrope, coupled with its deep purple blooms and dark green leaves, makes this old-fashioned annual a favorite. Pads of star-shaped blossoms in purple-blue, lavender, or white cover compact, mounded plants from spring until frost.

Heliotrope prefers afternoon shade for protection and cooling. Intense heat causes stress, and high humidity leads to fungal issues like powdery mildew. 

Allow ample air circulation and add a layer of mulch to regulate temperature and retain moisture. Take care not to overwater, as heliotrope benefits from consistent moisture but not soggy conditions.

Wandering Dude

This easy care annual tropical is great for a spreading ground cover in shade.

Wandering dude is an easy-care tropical that grows year-round as a houseplant or outdoors in warm, frost-free climates. Clasping leaves have silvery-white stripes and purple and blue-green patterning. Deep magenta undersides add dynamic visual contrast, and fine hairs on the leaf surfaces give them a sheen in bright light.

Also called inch plants, the low-maintenance spreaders lend a soft, trailing effect from hanging baskets and containers. In the landscape, they form an accent groundcover in warm months.

Wandering dude shows the best leaf color in bright light, filtered sun, and partial shade. Leaves wash and fade in too much direct sunlight. It can also scorch tender leaf and stem tissues, causing them to blister, brown, and become crispy.

Pentas

Attract pollinators with the star-shaped clusters of pentas.

Pentas come into summer with loads of star-shaped flowers that emerge in large clusters. In red, pink, lavender, or white, the pollinator favorites stand on their own in a group planting or complement other annuals and perennials. They need more sun than shade, but they are somewhat shade-tolerant. With four hours or more of sun, they’ll show color. In too much shade, you’ll see a lack of blooms and slow growth. 

Pentas withstand hot, humid summers and periods of drought, and also aren’t a favorite of deer. The easy-care annual brings long-lasting, vibrant color and sweet nectar to the display.

Calibrachoa

This cascading annual looks like a mini petunia.

Calibrachoa is a cascading annual with loads of petite bell flowers from late spring into fall. They resemble a mini petunia in flower and form, with the same wide range of hues and vigorous growth.

Calibrachoa handles hot summers better than petunias and thrives in fast-draining, organic soils. They withstand short, dry spells but do best with regular moisture. At least half a day of bright light promotes the most flowering. Give stems a trim if they become thin or leggy as summer wears on.

Purple Heart

Enjoy Purple Heart’s deep foliage and lavender blooms.

Purple heart is a low-growing trailer with long, narrow leaves and fleshy stems in deep purple. It produces lavender blooms that add interest, but the bold foliage is the real draw across growing conditions.

Purple heart is the richest purple with some sun exposure. While drought-tolerant, leaves curl without water. The low-maintenance spreaders don’t mind a little neglect, though they flourish with regular moisture.

Violas and Pansies

Sweet spring favorites, violas can persist through summer in cool shade.

Pansies and violas usher in cool weather and bloom reliably in the chilly temperatures of spring and fall. The frost-tolerant annuals tolerate cold snaps into the 20s (around -4°C).

Both Viola species bring cheery flower faces in a sea of colors and combinations. Nestle them in pots or the front of the border for instant color. Opt for trailing varieties like ‘Cool Wave’ for delicate blooms that spill over a planter. Deadhead to encourage new blooms, especially with pansies’ larger flowers.

Snapdragons

Frost-tolerant and cheerful, snapdragons come in nearly every color.

Snapdragons are another cool-season favorite that shines in spring and fall with tubular blooms lining tall stems. From soft pastels to bold hues, the frost-tolerant flowers bring high color to the display.

Tall and intermediate varieties rise above shorter annuals, while dwarf selections make good filler options. Showcase them with pansies, violas, and greens like Swiss chard and parsley for a full, cool-season display that tolerates partial shade and transitioning light exposures. Morning sun and afternoon protection in warm climates extend the bloom. 

Petunia

Petunias prefer sun, but will still perform in afternoon shade.

Petunias are among the most popular summer annuals, energizing the display in a rainbow of colors and quickly filling hanging baskets, pots, and beds. Single, double, or ruffled trumpet blooms line the cascading stems.

In the right site, petunias are low-maintenance. They flower reliably, are easy to grow, and come in an array of colors and forms. Petunias fall into classifications based on bloom type and growth habit. ‘Grandiflora’ has the largest flowers, while multiflora blooms are smaller and more prolific. Cascading types are fast-growing spreaders with strong performance.

Petunias tolerate dappled afternoon shade. For Southern gardens, try an improved variety that withstands heat and humidity, like ‘Supertunia’ and ‘Easy Wave.’ The cascading varieties perform well in various climates.

Nemesia

These petite shade annuals thrive in cooler temperatures.

Nemesia springs into color with petite tubular flowers in a spectrum of colors. Emerging early, they provide a nectar source for insects before other blooms emerge.

Nemesia flourishes in cool seasons and mild conditions. In hot climates, they do best as a cool-season annual. In areas with mild summers, they’ll take a break during peak heat and resume booming as temperatures moderate. Cut them back when they fade during the summer, or pluck them from the garden.

The ‘Sunsatia’ series boasts improved heat tolerance in delicious colors like white ‘Coconut,’ peach ‘Mango,’ and sunny ‘Lemon.’ These hybrids extend the bloom season as temperatures rise.

Stock

Try these old-fashioned favorites in bouquets.

Stock is an old-fashioned annual with a scent to savor. Jewel-tone flowers line stiff, upright stems in single or double forms. They make a lovely cut flower for springtime bouquets.

Like pansies, snaps, and nemesia, stock thrives in cool temperatures. It doesn’t withstand hot summers or frigid winters. It blooms from spring through frost as a tender perennial in mild climates and as a cool-season annual across other zones. Stock is hardy to 25°F (-4°C).

Stock grows easily from seed, where it germinates in a week to 10 days. It does best in rich, well-draining soils, though it withstands occasional wet soils.

Scarlet Flax

This easy shade annual is beloved by pollinators.

Scarlet flax is an eye-catching heirloom annual with a profusion of red flowers that attract pollinators. It’s an easy bloomer and, without deadheading, it self-seeds for recurrent color.

The easy-care, low-maintenance plants tolerate variable conditions, including heat, humidity, and cool weather. They readily grow from seed; direct sow them every two to four weeks for successional color from spring through fall.

Iresine

Magenta ribs and veins make iresine a standout.

Iresine, or bloodleaf, is a popular bedding plant for its bold red leaves with magenta mid-ribs and veins. A standout in a grouping or as potted accents, Iresine has glossy, notched foliage that intensifies in sunlight (provide morning sun if your placement allows).

A recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit, bloodleaf is easy to grow and low maintenance. Trim or pinch stems to retain a tidy form.

Annual Phlox

Phlox boasts a sweet scent and many cultivars to choose from.

Annual phlox bears a bounty of blooms and a sweet fragrance on mounding, low-growing foliage. Native to Texas, the species is rich pink with numerous cultivars in lavender, red, and white to brighten the front of the border and containers in spring and fall. They also make lovely additions to floral arrangements.

Pair annual phlox with sweet alyssum, snapdragons, and violas for similar growing conditions. It prefers loose, humusy, well-drained soils but adapts to various types as long as they have good drainage. Annual phlox reseeds in its optimal conditions.

Hypoestes

Enjoy the colorful mottled foliage of hypoestes.

Polka-dot plant adds a splash of color to planters and borders. Hypoestes has numerous hybrids with speckled and splashed foliage, including pink with green spots and the reverse of green with pink spots. White with green patterning shines amongst darker tones.

The species shows the best color in open shade. It sends up petite lilac flowers sporadically in the summer. Pinch back stems if they become leggy to retain a tidy, full form.

Plectranthus

Plant plectranthus for violet flowering spires in fall.

Plectranthus is a fall-flowering standout, with striking violet bloom spikes emerging from September through November. Large, loose spires of lilac and deep purple tubular flowers rise above textured, leathery leaves, making these a striking easy annual option for shade flowers.

Plectranthus blooms as other flowers begin to fade, creating a beautiful transitional bloom as seasons shift. Shelter it during winter in cold climates.