There are lots of great new options for low-light gardens, including plants with variegated leaves and non-traditional colours and textures. No longer are gardeners limited to using dark green leafy plants in the shade.

Variegated bear’s breeches Acanthus mollis Tasmanian AngelTM The first variegated acanthus. Found in Tasmania, this gem offers striking, bold leaves with white margins and mottling. This plant forms a large clump of 90-120 cm (3-4 ft.) tall ornamental flower stalks of pink and cream in late summer. Tolerant of most soils, it thrives in deep, fertile, moist and well-drained conditions in full to partial shade. Dwarf bluestar Amsonia montana ‘Short Stack’ This dwarf form creates a perfect mound of clean, dark green foliage, with medium sky-blue flowers in early spring. Well suited for smaller gardens and the border’s edge. Sun to partial shade. Grows 25-30 cm (10-12 in.) tall. ‘White Barlow’ double columbine Aquilegia ‘White Barlow’ Dahlia-like double white flowers pop in a shady location. This double columbine grows 50-65 cm (20-25 in.) tall and blooms in spring. ‘Ocean’s Fury’ painted fern Athyrium ‘Ocean’s Fury’ This plant is named because the habit and colouring resemble ocean waves crashing on the shore. This upright and crested fern from Thurman Maness is a wonderful addition to lighten up shady areas, or in the woodland garden. It prefers fertile, moist soils and full to partial shade. ‘Solar Flare’ variegated bergenia Bergenia ‘Solar Flare’ A new twist on a classic garden perennial, this plant has bold evergreen leaves with a cream edged border that turns brilliant shrimp pink during winter. It’s an excellent winter container plant topped with pink flowers in the spring. Colour appears on new growth in spring, fading to green in late summer. Part shade to full sun. ‘Mr. Morse’ Siberian bugloss Brunnera macrophylla ‘Mr. Morse’ Frosty, silver foliage with light green veins and edging combine perfectly with creamy white flowers. Brunnera have high deer resistance, and prefers a shady location. This cultivar grows 25-37.5 cm (10-15 in.) tall. ‘Spring Yellow’ Siberian bugloss Brunnera macrophylla ‘Spring Yellow’ Unusual yellow foliage with contrasting blue flowers. Grows 25-37.5 cm (10-15 in.) tall. Proven deer resistance. ‘Chocolate Stars’ corydalis Corydalis ‘Chocolate Stars’ A gorgeous low growing woodland plant with chocolate brown foliage in spring, reminiscent of coleus. Small white starry flowers in summer change to green as the season progresses. Unlike most other corydalis, ‘Chocolate Stars’ will tolerate dry shade. This is a good groundcover choice and an excellent companion to other woodland plants such as hostas, ferns, and primulas. Grows 30 cm (12 in.) tall in partial to full shade. Photo courtesy of Vitro Westland. Variegated gold Japanese forest grass Hakonechloa macra ‘Stripe It Rich’ White-striped golden leaves put a new spin on the shade tolerant Hakonechloa. ‘Stripe It Rich’ grows vigourously in full to partial sun. It is spectacular as a woodland accent in containers, along pathways or entrances, and adds an Asian look to the garden. Dolce® Blackcurrant coral bells Heuchera Dolce® Blackcurrant Dolce® Blackcurrant boasts a two-toned leaf of bold purple and sterling silver accents that make a dramatic statement in beds or in containers. Vigorous and cold-hardy, colour deepens as the weather cools. It does best in full to partial shade and reaches a height of 30-40 cm (12-16 in.). ‘Georgia Peach’ coral bells Heuchera ‘Georgia Peach’ This is a first in the new Southern Bell series of villosa hybrids that were bred for heat and humidity tolerance. In spring, it produces 20 cm (8 in.) peach coloured leaves with a showy silver overlay that creates a large, lush plant. The foliage colour intensifies to rose purple with a decorative frosted veil in fall and winter. Best in full to partial shade. Grows 35 cm (14 in.) tall and spreads 60 cm (24 in.) ‘June Fever’ hosta Hosta ‘June Fever’ A nearly all-gold form of ‘June’ with very narrow blue-green margins and glossy golden foliage. Superb spring colour. Good substance and slug resistance. An extremely hardy hosta. Grows 40-60 cm (16-24 in.) high and wide in shade or partial shade. Photos courtesy of Vitro Westland.