Shade gardening in Idaho
Idaho covers a wide range of climates. The northern panhandle is relatively moist and forested, while the Snake River Plain and southern valleys are dry with hot summers and cold winters. Hardiness zones vary widely across the state, so check your own zone and elevation. Shade conditions also vary: cool, moist forest shade is different from dry shade under a mature street tree in Boise.
The Idaho Conservation Data Center has compiled native plant lists that sort plants into trees and tall shrubs, low and medium shrubs, forbs and grasses. Consulting a local native plant society or nursery is a good way to confirm what suits your site. For general principles, see our guide to indigenous shade plants.
Native shrubs for shade and part shade
Shrubs are often the most reliable native choice for Idaho shade:
- Mock orange or syringa (Philadelphus lewisii): Idaho’s state flower, with fragrant white blooms in early summer. It tolerates part shade.
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia): spring flowers and edible fruit that birds also enjoy.
- Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea): red winter stems, good for moist spots.
- Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus): large maple-like leaves and edible fruit; common in cooler, moister areas.
- Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus): adaptable, including in drier shade.
- Ninebark (Physocarpus malvaceus): native to parts of Idaho and tolerant of shade.
- Oregon grape (Mahonia species): evergreen foliage and yellow spring flowers.
Native forbs and groundcovers
- Western columbine (Aquilegia formosa) and Colorado columbine: hummingbird-friendly flowers.
- Heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia): yellow flowers in woodland shade.
- Western wild ginger (Asarum caudatum): more suited to moist north Idaho sites.
- Red baneberry (Actaea rubra): red berries, which are poisonous, so avoid it where children may eat unfamiliar fruit.
- Large-leaf avens (Geum macrophyllum)
- Kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi): an evergreen groundcover that prefers sun to part shade.
Ferns
In moister areas, western sword fern and lady fern may be an option, along with bracken. Ferns generally struggle in dry southern Idaho unless you provide extra water.
Native foods and low-maintenance plants
Some of the shrubs above, including serviceberry, thimbleberry and chokecherry, produce fruit that people have long eaten. Only eat plants you can identify with certainty. In terms of low maintenance, native shrubs that suit your light and soil will usually need less watering and feeding than lawns once established.
Planting and care tips
- Group by water needs. Put moisture-loving plants together near a downspout and drought-tolerant species in the driest areas.
- Water during the first two summers. Even native plants need support while establishing.
- Mulch with leaves or wood chips to hold moisture, but keep mulch away from stems.
- Match elevation. Plants sourced from a similar elevation and climate will perform better.
Related reading
Idaho gardeners in the northern part of the state may find the Pacific Northwest picks in shade plants for Oregon useful, since several species overlap. For a broader list, see the best perennials for shade.