Oregon ’s wooded corners are perfect for tall , shade - loving perennials that add drama without demanding much sun .
I ’ve planted a few favorites that loom gracefully and lighten up even the gloomiest musca volitans in my yard . These plant convey life and texture where others just ca n’t compete . Plus , they thrive effortlessly in Oregon ’s coolheaded , shady patches .
If your garden has those shadowy corners , these perennials are ready to reflect !
1. Goatsbeard
Standing tall at 4 - 6 feet , this impressive aboriginal looks like a supersized astilbe with feathery white plume . The fernlike foliage make a lush backdrop in Oregon woodland gardens even when not flowering . Many Oregon gardeners plant it alongside fern for a natural wood feel . Goatsbeard boom in the Pacific Northwest ’s coolheaded , moist weather and does n’t take care the state ’s notorious winter rains .
2. Japanese Anemone
Late summer brings delicate , bob blooming atop 3 - 4 foot wiry stems when most shade plants have finished their show . The pink or white flowers dance in Oregon ’s soft late - summer breeze , adding motion to still corners . These graceful perennial spread slow through underground runners , make natural colonies over clip . In Oregon gardens , they appreciate protection from hot afternoon sun while still performing attractively in dappled woodland settings .
3. Cimicifuga
Also called bugbane or black snakeroot , this dramatic woodland plant send up 4 - 7 human foot flower spike that resemble bottlebrushes above profoundly cut foliage . The fragrant white blooms appear in belated summer , creating vertical interest in Oregon ’s shadiest spots . Purple - leave varieties like ‘ Brunette ’ or ‘ Hillside Black Beauty ’ proffer striking direct contrast against greenish companions . Many Oregon gardeners see this native North American plant essential for adding architectural elements to woodland gardens .
4. Ligularia
bluff , toothed leave up to 12 inches across word form the base for 3 - 5 human foot tall yellowish flower spike that lighten up shady Oregon gardens . ‘ The Rocket ’ variety produce peculiarly strike vertical blooms that pull butterflies and stand out against dark leaf . Ligularia loves Oregon ’s naturally damp forest weather and make a statement near water feature . Despite its tropical appearance , this perennial handles Pacific Northwest winters with ease while keep its architectural front year - round .
5. Rodgersia
tremendous chemical compound leaves resembling Equus caballus chestnuts create a bold textural argument in Oregon ’s woodland gardens . The bronzy - greenish leaf alone makes this 3 - 4 foot beauty worthwhile , but cream flower plumes in summer add excess entreaty . Rodgersia appreciate Oregon ’s naturally acid forest soils and consistent wet . Native to Asiatic woodlands , it has found a perfect second home in the Pacific Northwest ’s alike turn weather , particularly in coastal Oregon garden .
6. Astilbe
Feathery plume in shades from white to deep red ascent 2 - 4 foot above ferny foliage , creating airy perpendicular accents . The tall varieties like ‘ Superba ’ and ‘ Ostrich Plume ’ bring tallness to Oregon ’s shadiest spots while maintaining a fragile appearance . Astilbes execute beautifully in Oregon ’s climate with its natural rainfall form . Even after blooms fade , the dried flower heads supply winter involvement and texture when many other perennial have disappeared beneath the soil .
7. Foxglove
Speckled tubular blooms climb up 3 - 5 foot stems , make dramatic perpendicular interest in forest settings . Though technically biennial , foxgloves self - seed so faithfully in Oregon ’s arrant conditions that they behave like true perennials , returning twelvemonth after year . The native Pacific Northwest foxglove ( Digitalis purpurea ) feel right at home in Oregon ’s forest . These woodland beauties appreciate the state ’s acidic soil and boom in the mottled light beneath deciduous trees , creating cottage - garden appeal in natural setting .
8. Angelica
Architectural and imposing , this dramatic biennial forms a 3 - foot rosette of leaves before send up 6 - 8 foot blossoming stems exceed with spectacular umbels . The empty root and distinctive seedheads supply interest from spring through winter in Oregon garden . Angelica gigas , with its deep burgundy flowers , perform particularly well in Oregon ’s climate . Many Portland gardener have discovered this plant ’s ability to self - seed modestly , make ongoing display in woodland gardens without becoming invasive .
9. Japanese Forest Grass
Cascading fountain of gold - striped leaf make 12 - 18 inches grandiloquent , brightening Oregon ’s darkest garden corners . Though not as grandiloquent as some perennials , this ornamental grass creates indispensable contrast and movement among larger forest plants . Hakonechloa macra ‘ Aureola ’ keep its brilliant coloration even in deep shadiness , unlike many variegate plants . Oregon gardeners appreciate how this Gunter Grass boom in the state ’s of course acidic forest dirt while add year - round construction to woodland garden .
10. Bear’s Breeches
calendered , deeply - cut leaf form impressive 3 - human foot mounds before sending up 4 - 5 foot flower spike with alone hooded blooms . The architectural leaf make a bluff argument even when Acanthus is n’t flowering in Oregon ’s woodland garden . These Mediterranean native have adapted surprisingly well to Oregon ’s climate , particularly in protect locations . Their classical appearance brings a touching of formality to otherwise natural woodland settings throughout the Willamette Valley and coastal regions .
11. Thalictrum
Airy clouds of bantam lavender or white flowers drift atop pencil - lean 4 - 6 human foot stems , creating a moony consequence in dappled shade . The delicate maidenhair fern fern - similar foliage belies this recurrent ’s rugged constitution in Oregon gardens . The . was rochebrunianumed by thalictrum Oregon gardeners economic value this plant for its ability to add height without majority , allowing views through the garden while still creating vertical interest in woodland setting .
12. Cephalaria
Resembling a giant scabiosa , this 5 - 6 foot beauty produce pale yellowish pincushion flower that hover above neighboring plants . The see - through quality creates charming effects as light filter through Oregon ’s tree diagram canopies . Cephalaria gigantea ’s strong stems rarely need staking , even in Oregon ’s occasional summer storm . Though not widely known , this perennial has develop a followers among Willamette Valley gardeners seek height and airiness for their woodland borders .
13. Filipendula
cotton fiber - candy plume of pinkish flowers lift 4 - 6 foot above maple - like foliage , bring cottage garden charm to woodland settings . The sweet fragrance attract butterflies while the telling height creates backdrop construction in Oregon shadiness garden . Filipendula rubra ‘ Venusta ’ thrives in Oregon ’s naturally moist forest conditions . Many Eugene gardener have detect this aboriginal works ’s ability to create stunning perpendicular accents while manage the region ’s summertime dry spells better than expected .
14. Polygonatum
arch 3 - 4 human foot stem transport dangling white bells along their length , creating elegant vertical lines in the forest garden . The Solomon ’s Seal ’s architectural form and blue - black berry provide multi - time of year involvement in Oregon ’s shady corner . Variegated forms lighten up dark spaces with pick - edged leaves that seem to beam . aboriginal to forest worldwide , these perennials have found perfect turn weather in Oregon ’s woodland garden , particularly in the Coast Range ’s sheltered valley .
15. Kirengeshoma
Waxy yellow bells swing from 3 - 4 foot purple - tinged root above maple - shaped leaves in late summer . This rare Nipponese woodland indigen brings a touching of the exotic to Oregon shadiness gardens when many other perennial have finished flowering . Kirengeshoma palmata appreciate Oregon ’s naturally acid forest dirt and reproducible wet . Portland ’s Nipponese Garden has showcased this unusual perennial , introducing many local gardeners to its unique beauty and perfect adaptation to Pacific Northwest weather .
16. Darmera
Umbrella - like leaves up to 2 foot across create bluff textural statement in Oregon ’s moist woodland garden . Pink flower clusters appear on 3 - 4 foot stems in early spring before the massive foliage unfurls , creating an unusual seasonal show . Darmera peltata , also called Indian pieplant , is native to stream banks in Oregon and Northern California . Many Ashland gardener have detect this autochthonal works ’s spectacular presence along water features , where it thrives with minimal attention in the state ’s natural weather .
17. Disporum
Fairy lantern flowers swing from bamboo - like 3 - 4 human foot stems , creating woodland elegance in Oregon ’s fly-by-night spots . The arced word form and clean foliage of this native perennial convey natural grace to forest - border plantings . Disporum hookeri , also called Fairy Bells , produces black berries that postdate the spring flowers . Throughout Oregon ’s Coast Range , this indigenous woodland plant creates arresting natural drift , inspiring gardeners to incorporate its understated smasher into designed landscape .
