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Plants that grow well in shady areas
Celandine poppy | Stylophorum diphyllum
Celandine poppy is found on wooded slopes and moist, wooded valleys of central and southeast Missouri.
- Flowers: March–May
- Mature height, 16 inches; spread, 18 inches
- Grows well in gardens if provided with humus-rich soil
- Goes dormant in the summer if soil dries out or if plants receive afternoon sun
Cardinal flower | Lobelia cardinalis
Cardinal flowers inhabit wet sites throughout much of Missouri and are often seen along Ozark streams in late summer.
- Flowers: July–October
- Mature height, 24–48 inches; spread, 12–18 inches
- Provides nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies
- Needs moderate shade
- Tolerates sun in rich, organic soil.
- Requires watering through dry periods, if not planted in a moist area
Columbine | Aquilegia canadensis
Found on limestone or dolomite ledges in the Ozarks, Columbine inhabits moist woodlands and other habitats elsewhere in the state.
- Flowers: April–July
- Mature height, 24 inches; spread, 12 inches
- Grows in most parts of Missouri
- Has red, tubular flowers
- Spreads readily from seed in flower beds
- Tolerates shade or sun in average to moist soils
- Is a great nectar source for hummingbirds
Purple coneflower | Echinacea purpurea
The large, showy flower heads of purple coneflower can appear in open woodlands throughout most of Missouri.
- Flowers: May–October
- Mature height, 24–36 inches; spread, 18–24 inches
- Can have many stems of flowers on a single older plant
- Good nectar source for butterflies
- Grows well in light shade
- Can tolerate full sun in average to moist soil
- Often used for cut flowers
Crested iris | Iris cristata
Also called dwarf crested iris, this small iris is found along streams in lowland woods.
- Flowers: April–May
- Mature height, 5–10 inches; spread, 12–16 inches
- Makes a delightful ground cover in partially shaded areas
- Can also be used as a border in home landscapes
- Prefers well-drained soil
- Attracts hummingbirds