Begonias are faithful shade garden flowers. The fibrous rooted or wax begonias are available in colors ranging from solid white to deep red with heights varying from 5" to 12" or more. They are excellent plants in strawberry jars or the hanging plant pouches becoming common today. I have planted strawberry jars to create pillars of color to fill areas between shrubs. These look best when planted with the same color begonia rather than a mixture. Only the front pockets are planted since the back ones face my unit and not seen by anyone anyway. Why waste plants?

Tuberous begonias are wonderful in hanging baskets, small pots, or in the garden bed. The non-stop varieties are most reliable for season-long color. Rex begonias with the multi colored leaves are excellent hanging basket plants that can spend summers outside in an outside location and be enjoyed as winter houseplants. This article discusses the care and propagation of various species of begonias.

Annual Heliotrope can be grown in a very shady spots. They are in full color by late July and last until frost kills them. I strongly recommend this plant for shaded conditions although it is normally advertised as a sun-demanding plant! .

Monarda comes in several colors. Monarda Blaustrumpf 'Blue Stocking' is a reliable July bloomer with deep violet flowers. Bees and butterflies are attracted when this plant is in bloom. However, like most monardas, by late July the leaves are mildewed and the lower stems barren. I cut it back and place a large container of other shade-loving plants over the spot. Maybe someone will develop mildew-resistant varieties in the future.

Impatiens are traditional shade garden flowers and have become so common that I avoid them. The New Guinea Impatiens proved difficult to grow--always too wet or too dry. Impatiens are very sensitive to water and quickly rot if too wet or wilt when dry. Burpee carries several different species of impatiens. Check out their current catalog to see what is available this year. Some have proven difficult to grow from seed but showed up at Home Depot and other garden centers in recent years. Some have flowers that look like Lady's slippers in miniature. They thrive in deep shade under evergreen bushes.