Shade Plants for Your PATIO

These plants will do well on your covered porch or patio in containers.

1. FUCHSIA. These shade-loving plants do well in containers, and especially hanging pots, as their bell-shaped flowers hang down from the plant. Water them frequently in hot weather, but make sure the pot has adequate drainage.

2. CORAL BELLS. This is one of those plants you’ll buy for the foliage rather than the flowers. Depending on the variety of coral bells, the leaves can be golden red, green with red edges or even a deep purple. It’s a good drought-tolerant plant too.

3. LENTEN ROSE. Part of the buttercup family (not a true rose), the Lenten rose got its name because it blooms in early spring, around the time of Lent. In addition to being good shade container plants, Lenten roses also make good ground cover. Plant them in the fall for the best spring flowers.

4. CREEPING JENNY. This is another plant for hanging baskets or tall containers where the shoots can trail down the side. Its yellow-green foliage will add extra hues to your patio, even when your flowering plants aren’t in bloom. Do be aware that this plant loves to spread, so plant it in small amounts if it’s in a container with multiple plants.