Natives to grow in a shady spot

I saw a dear friend of mine and her husband, also a friend of mine, the other day. They stopped to visit BeWell Bohemia Herbs and Things booth at the Garden Expo, and stayed to chat briefly. My dear friend mentioned that they are looking for native plants (Indiana) to grow in their shady lawn. She noted, "I would like to support the pollinators through the summer." Spring ephemerals play an important role in the woodland community, yet they bloom and finish before summer. So, extending the bloom season of a woodland habitat supports native pollinators.
I did not have an answer at the ready, and have been doing research today to make some recommendations to them.

After spending a few hours imersed in Carolyn Harstad's Go Native! Gardening with Native Plants and Wildflowers in the Lower Midwest, I share ideas gleaned about some ideas for plants that will thrive, or at least grow, in a shady habitat.

Monarda fisulosa bloom

Wild Bergamot (Mondarda fistulosa) is a native that grows in either sunny or shady conditions. I had some in my former yard growing along a fence. They were in shade most of the day and performed beautifully.  Monarda fistulos fits the bill and offers herbal constituents that support wellness.
They will grow to 3 feet tall and have a dramatic purple bloom pollinators love.













Fire pink (Silene virginica) is another strikingly beautiful flowering plant that grows in shady conditions and blooms in summer. According to the USDA Forest Service website, Fire pink grows to a height ranging 6 inches to 24 inches.  While I have yet to grow this plant myself, I have seen it in many a woodland on many a hike.

Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica L.) offers a third woodland summer blooming option. A rare plant, yet you can find it for sale at native plant nurseries. I am new to this plant, and so offer the words of Larry Strictch on a post to the USDA Forest Service website, "Indian Pink is an uncommon native wildflower that grows in rich, moist woods and along wooded stream banks in the greater southeastern United States. Indian Pink is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial reaching a height of 12 to 18 inches."

Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus) is another summer blooming woodland plant to add variety to a shady garden. The plant has consitutents that repel the advances of fleas, hence the common name.

Woodland sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus) brings a sunny disposition to a shady spot.

If you would like to add a ground cover to create dimension and prvent unwanted weeds, try one of these natives

Wild ginger (Asarum canadense) is an excellent choice for a ground cover. Deep green heart-shaped leaves shield a delicate bell-shaped burgundy flower. This lovely requires a moist, shady environment, so yay!

Alleghany spurge (Pachysandra procumbens) is a native pachasandra that desires shade and moist conditions, and sports interesting foilage and  pinksh flower.

There are a few ideas to enhance your shade gardening while supporting native species habitats.