• Shade-loving plants liven up dark corners.Design Pics/Valueline/Getty Images
  
  Available in a variety of sizes, colors and types, shade-loving plants brighten up dark corners of the yard or garden. These flowering and nonflowering perennials or annuals are adapted to the full or partially shaded nooks and corners of the area to add spring, summer or winter interest to the landscape. Shade-loving plants have larger foliage and thinner leaves to absorb energy efficiently as compared to other plants.
  
  

Hostas

• Hostas are popular shade-loving plants.hostas image by JLycke from Fotolia.com
  
  Popular shade-loving perennials that belong to the Lily family, hostas are common ground covers that enhance the appearance of the landscape with attractive forms and foliage colors. Thriving in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8, these perennials grow 1 to 2 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide and feature silver-gray, yellow-gold, blue-green, deep-green and variegated foliage. The herbaceous plants of Northeast Asian origin feature a moundlike rounded habit that adds depth and drama to the planting site. Hostas prefer well-draining, moist soils with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
  
  

Red Lungwort

• Belonging to the Boraginaceae family, red lungworts (Pulmonaria rubra) are shade-loving perennials that feature clusters of coral-red, nodding flowers that stand out against the plain green, velvet-textured leaves. Growing up to 1 foot tall and 2 to 3 feet wide, the red lungwort thrives in USDA zones 5 through 8 in well-draining, loamy soil with a pH between 4.5 and 7.5. The flowers appear in mid- to late winter to spruce up the winter landscape.
  
  

Impatiens

• Hardy impatiens spruce up shaded corners.impatiens image by palms from Fotolia.com
  
  Popular shade-loving bedding plants grown across the United States, impatiens (Impatiens wallerana) decorate the landscape from spring until early frost. Blooms of the hardy annuals feature a single or double row of petals in different shades of orange, violet, white and red. The plants grow 8 to 24 inches tall, depending on the variety selected, and thrive in full shade and well-draining soil. Also called patient Lucy or busy Lizzie, the low-growing flowers thrive well in containers as well. A basket of impatiens forms the classic ball-like shape.
  
  

Wood Lily

• Wood lily (Trillium chloropetalum) is a shade-loving perennial that belongs to the Liliaceae family. It features fragrant flowers in shades of deep purple, yellow or white that grow on top of three silver-green leaves. Thriving in USDA zones 5 through 7, wood lily or trinity flowers bloom in early to midspring in well-draining, slightly moist, nutrient-rich soils exposed to full shade. The plant grows from 1 to 3 feet tall and 8 to 12 inches wide to add spring interest to the area. The fast-growing, clumplike plant is susceptible to rust, snails and slugs.