Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
A woodland native that 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
Missouri · Zones 5–7
Native Plants for Shade in Missouri
Woodland wildflowers, ferns, and groundcovers that thrive in the dappled and full shade under trees and on the north side of the house. Every species here is genuinely native to Missouri and the wider flora of the Midwest and hardy through zones 5–7 — proven performers for Missouri's humid continental to subtropical climate across Ozarks, glades & prairie, not a generic list. Local standouts include Wild Columbine and Smooth Hydrangea. 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 Missouri
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 5–7 · see this collection in other states.
Smooth Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens
Thrives in cool shade under a canopy, where it handles part to full shade; reaching 3–5 ft and it blooms Jun through Aug.
- Part shade
- Average
- 3–5 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Turk's Cap
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
Thrives in cool shade under a canopy, where it handles part to full shade; spreading 3–5 ft and it blooms May through Oct.
- Sun to shade
- Dry–average
- 2–5 ft
- Blooms May–Oct
Wild Bleeding Heart
Dicentra eximia
Thrives in cool shade under a canopy, where it handles part to full shade; 12–18 in tall and it blooms Apr through Aug.
- Part shade
- Average
- 12–18 in
- Blooms Apr–Aug
Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
A shade groundcover for the woodland floor, 1.5–2 ft wide, flowering as it blooms Apr through Jun.
- Part shade
- Average
- 1.5–2 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Arrowwood Viburnum
Viburnum dentatum
A woodland native that handles part to full shade, hardy in zones 3–8 and it flowers in May and Jun.
- Sun to shade
- Average–wet
- 6–10 ft
- Blooms May–Jun
Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
A shade groundcover for the woodland floor, good through zone 8, flowering as it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 10–15 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
A woodland native that handles part to full shade, spreading 12–18 in and it blooms Mar through May.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 1–2 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia
For the dappled north side and under trees, it handles part to full shade — happy in loam soil and it blooms May through Jul.
- Part shade
- Average
- 4–8 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
Thrives in cool shade under a canopy, where it handles part to full shade; hardy in zones 5–9 and it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 15–25 ft
- Blooms Apr–May
Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
A shade groundcover for the woodland floor, spreading 1–2 ft; it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 6–12 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
A woodland native that handles part to full shade, chartreuse-gold flowers and it flowers in Mar and Apr.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 6–12 ft
- Blooms Mar–Apr
Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
Carpets the dappled ground beneath trees, 4–8 in tall — it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 4–8 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Carpets the dappled ground beneath trees, spreading 10–20 ft, flowering as it flowers in Jun.
- Sun to shade
- Dry–average
- 30–50 ft
- Blooms Jun
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
A spreading carpet for the shaded woodland floor, reaching 1–2 ft.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2 ft
- Evergreen
Cinnamon Fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
For the dappled north side and under trees, it handles part to full shade — cold-hardy to zone 3.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Foliage
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
A shade groundcover for the woodland floor, for rocky and loam ground.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 6–12 in
- Foliage
Sourcing
Where to find these in Missouri
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.