Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Thrives in cool shade under a canopy, where it handles part to full shade; 12–18 in wide and it blooms Apr through Jun.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2.5 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Arkansas · Zones 6–8
Native Plants for Shade in Arkansas
Woodland wildflowers, ferns, and groundcovers that thrive in the dappled and full shade under trees and on the north side of the house. For Arkansas, the right natives are shaped by Ozark Highlands & Mississippi Alluvial Plain and a humid subtropical climate. Every species below, from Wild Columbine and Oakleaf Hydrangea to the rest of the list, is genuinely native to Arkansas and the wider flora of the Southeast and hardy through zones 6–8. Shade is an opportunity, not a problem — the eastern woodland flora is one of the richest in the world. Most shade natives evolved under a deciduous canopy, so they do their growing in cool, moist spring soil and want a yearly mulch of fallen leaves rather than bare, raked dirt. Match the depth of shade to the plant, and a bare patch under a maple becomes the loveliest part of the garden.
The plants
17 native species for Arkansas
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 6–8 · see this collection in other states.
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia
For the dappled north side and under trees, it handles part to full shade — white cones flowers and it blooms May through Jul.
- Part shade
- Average
- 4–8 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Turk's Cap
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
Thrives in cool shade under a canopy, where it handles part to full shade; 3–5 ft wide and it blooms May through Oct.
- Sun to shade
- Dry–average
- 2–5 ft
- Blooms May–Oct
Arrowwood Viburnum
Viburnum dentatum
Made for shade — it handles part to full shade, 6–10 ft wide and it flowers in May and Jun.
- Sun to shade
- Average–wet
- 6–10 ft
- Blooms May–Jun
Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
A shade groundcover for the woodland floor, 1–2 ft wide, flowering as it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 6–12 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
A woodland native that handles part to full shade, 15–25 ft tall and it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 15–25 ft
- Blooms Apr–May
Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
A shade groundcover for the woodland floor, 1.5–2 ft wide — it blooms Apr through Jun.
- Part shade
- Average
- 1.5–2 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Smooth Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens
A woodland native that handles part to full shade, white domes flowers and it blooms Jun through Aug.
- Part shade
- Average
- 3–5 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
A spreading carpet for the shaded woodland floor, reaching 10–15 in, flowering as it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 10–15 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Wild Bleeding Heart
Dicentra eximia
Made for shade — it handles part to full shade, reaching 12–18 in and it blooms Apr through Aug.
- Part shade
- Average
- 12–18 in
- Blooms Apr–Aug
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
For the dappled north side and under trees, it handles part to full shade — for loam ground and it blooms Mar through May.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 1–2 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
Made for shade — it handles part to full shade, good through zone 9 and it flowers in Mar and Apr.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 6–12 ft
- Blooms Mar–Apr
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
A shade groundcover for the woodland floor, inconspicuous green flowers, and it flowers in Jun.
- Sun to shade
- Dry–average
- 30–50 ft
- Blooms Jun
Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
A shade groundcover for the woodland floor, spreading 12–18 in; it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 4–8 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Cinnamon Fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
For the dappled north side and under trees, it handles part to full shade — 2–4 ft tall.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Foliage
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
A shade groundcover for the woodland floor, for rocky and loam ground.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2 ft
- Evergreen
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Carpets the dappled ground beneath trees, 6–12 in tall.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 6–12 in
- Foliage
Sourcing
Where to find these in Arkansas
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.