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(Helleborus orientalis, Helleborus hybridus)
A fantastic evergreen perennial that blooms in midwinter–hence the names Christmas rose or Lenten rose.

Hellebores, unlike many shade-loving perennials, don’t mind our alkaline soil and water and are quite drought-tolerant once they get going.

Flowers come in shades of white, pink, dark maroon, red and various spots; there are even several green-flowered types if that is your taste. Native to Europe, where they have naturalized in ruins of old monasteries and herb gardens.

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(Alpinia zerumbet)
Needs a little babying, plenty of moisture and good organic soil; but variegated ginger will reward you with big splashes of cream and gold variegation in a shady border.

Although the light pink flowers are not fragrant like other gingers, the foliage gives off a sweet scent when crushed.

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(Dianthus)
With its neat mounds of blue-green spiky foliage and crisp pink flowers, dianthus makes a great front-of-the-border plant.

Needs excellent drainage–it does well in decomposed granite and gravel–and full sun.

‘Bath’s Pink’ and ‘Firewitch’ are the most reliable here; they do best with drip irrigation rather than overhead watering.

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(Melampodium leucanthum)
Little white daisies on a 6″-12″ evergreen mounding plant look great spilling over walls or filling in the front of a border.

Native from Colorado south into Texas and Mexico, the blackfoot daisy needs good drainage, sun and not too much water–wonderful combined with autumn sage, rock roses and ornamental grasses.

Mow it to 4 or 5 inches in late winter to encourage denser growth.

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(Aspidistra eliator)
This was a favorite potted plant in Victorian parlors—partly because you can’t kill it—but we can grow it outdoors here, in the darkest nooks where nothing else will thrive.

Tall shiny leaves reflect light and add interesting texture in the shade. Cut off damaged leaves as needed. (Photo: Redwood Barn Nursery)

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