Top 5 Annuals for Shade

Shady spots in the garden don’t have to mean a lack of colour or interest. While it's easy to default to greenery, there are plenty of annuals that thrive in low light and still offer showy blooms or striking foliage. In this post, we’re sharing five of our favourite shade-loving annuals that do especially well in the Edmonton area.

If you’ve been following our recent blog series, you’ll know our goal is to give you some “fail-safe” plant choices to build confidence and make your gardening experience less overwhelming — and more enjoyable! With these five reliable picks, you’ll be off to a great start, and next year, you’ll be ready to branch out with even more confidence.

#1 Begonias

Begonias come in an incredible range of shapes, sizes, and styles — there’s truly something for every garden! From the stunning, rose-like blooms of Non-Stop begonias (perfect for containers and hanging baskets), to fibrous begonias that make excellent fillers in garden beds and mixed planters, these plants are as versatile as they are beautiful.

But it doesn’t stop there! We also carry unique varieties like I’conia, Gryphon, Bossa Nova, Dragon Wing, and Illumination begonias — each with their own charm and garden potential.

To learn more click the begonia heading above to explore all the options and find your perfect match.

Care Instructions:

Sun & Soil: Plant in well draining soil enriched with compost or in high quality potting soil if planting in a hanging basket or container. Most varieties can tolerate some morning sun, but they prefer at least three hours of sunlight or filtered, less intense light. Wait to plant outside until nights are consistently above 10 degrees. 

Watering: Keep soil evenly moist. Avoid over watering as they are prone to stem rot (botrytis) in cool or overly shady areas.

Maintenance: Deadhead spent blooms as they are prone to rot on the plant.  

Fertilize: Fertilize every 1-2 weeks, especially when planted in containers. We recommend using Nature’s Source Plant Food.  

Pests & Diseases: Overwatering can cause botrytis. 

#2 Impatiens

Impatiens are shade garden superstars! These cheerful bloomers flower non-stop all season in a wide array of colours — from soft pastels to bold reds and oranges. Perfect for north-facing gardens, shady beds, or containers tucked beneath trees and eaves, they bring vibrant life to the darker corners of your yard. Don’t let their delicate appearance fool you — impatiens are tougher than they look and will perk right back up after a good soak if they get a little droopy.

Care Instructions:

Sun & Soil: Plant in well draining soil enriched with compost or in high quality potting soil if planting in a hanging basket or container. Of all the shade flowers impatiens require the least amount of sun to continue blooming (around 2 hours). Wait to plant outside until nights are consistently above 10 degrees. 

Watering: Keep consistently moist but not soggy. In hot or windy areas, they may need daily watering, especially in containers. They’re known to wilt quickly when dry but usually bounce back fast with a good soak.

Fertilize: Fertilize every 1-2 weeks, especially when planted in containers. We recommend using Nature’s Source Plant Food.  

Pests & Diseases: Plant powdery mildew resistant varieties such as Beacon

#3 Lobelia

Lobelia is a cool-weather champion—perfect for Edmonton gardens. Its tiny, star-like blooms come in both mounding and trailing varieties, adding a soft, twinkly touch to containers and garden edges. While it can handle a bit of morning sun, Lobelia truly shines when given a shady afternoon spot to stay cool and happy.

Care Instructions:

Sun & Soil: Plant in well draining soil enriched with compost or in high quality potting soil if planting in a hanging basket or container.

Watering: Keep consistently moist, Lobelia does not like to dry out. They may need daily watering in hot weather, especially in containers. 

Maintenance: You can trim back leggy growth mid-season to encourage fresh blooms.

Fertilize: Fertilize every 1-2 weeks, especially when planted in containers. We recommend using Nature’s Source Plant Food.  

Pests & Diseases: Susceptible to botrytis if in cool and wet conditions.

#4 Fuchsias

With their graceful, ballerina-like blooms, fuchsias bring a touch of elegance to shady spaces. Perfect for hanging baskets and containers, these beauties thrive in Edmonton’s cooler nights and mild summer days—it's almost like they were made for our climate. Their blooms also attract hummingbirds, especially the red ones. With the right care, fuchsias will reward you with continuous blooms from late spring to early fall, and best of all, they’re surprisingly low maintenance. 

Care Instructions:

Sun & Soil: Plant in well draining soil enriched with compost or in high quality potting soil if planting in a hanging basket or container. Fuchsias are not frost-tolerant, so wait until after the last frost to put them out.

Watering: Keep consistently moist. Water regularly  - daily in hot weather, especially in containers.

Maintenance: Pinching back new growth can encourage bushier plants and more blooms. Remove seed pods after the flowers fall for continuous blooming. 

Fertilize: Fertilize every 1-2 weeks, especially when planted in containers. We recommend using Nature’s Source Plant Food.  

#5 Coleus

While Coleus may not be known for bold blooms, their vibrant foliage more than makes up for it. Available in nearly every colour combination imaginable, these striking plants bring an exotic flair to any garden space. Whether you’re using a tall variety as a container centerpiece or a trailing type as a colourful accent, Coleus offers tons of design versatility. They thrive in the shade but love the heat—just be sure to tuck them into a warm corner of your yard, as chilly nights can slow their growth.

Care Instructions:

Sun & Soil: Plant in well draining soil enriched with compost or in high quality potting soil if planting in a hanging basket or container. Because they are heat lovers, wait till late May or early June to put them out when the nights are consistently above 10 degrees celsius. Coleus is a versatile plant and thrives in full shade to full sun. 

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. May need daily watering in hot weather, especially in containers.

Maintenance: Pinching back growth encourages bushier plants and helps prevent premature flowering, which can cause leaves to lose vibrancy. You can bring them indoors as houseplants in the fall if you want to overwinter them.

Fertilize: Fertilize every 1-2 weeks, especially when planted in containers. We recommend using Nature’s Source Plant Food.