What are some good flowering plants to plant on the north side of my house?
My absolute favorite comes early in the spring before tree leaf canopies close in—Virginia bluebells. The purplish/pink flowers are excellent naturalizers in any shady setting. After flowering, they die down for the season, but come backed every year. Another indestructible perennial is the Lily-of-the-Valley, which makes a very good ground cover, and has the little bell-like, white flowers that are back by an almost bullet-proof dense, green foliage. Some annuals, of course, are pansies, (also violas, their smaller cousin), and begonias. Finally, see if you can find some Toad lilies (/Tricyrtis ‘/Tojen’). They are impossible to dislike. Their orchid-like flowers and lush oversized foliage fill in shady areas with elegance!
