Perfect Perennial Shade Garden for Texas

A most perfect understanding of shade, color and height.

I was a little surprised to have been invited to the party. It had been a long day, and I was tired.

“Go, you’ll have a good time,” my mother’s words echoed from decades ago.

As I left the party, camera in hand (my party defense mechanism – no pesky questions when you have your camera). I walked before this home.

I had not noticed it on the way to the party — in a hurry and already late.

Limelight hydrangea appears on the left. Persian shield is the purple plant in the foreground. Hostas are dotted about.

I believe that’s a virburnum shrub behind the bench in the right of the image. Virbunums are often allowed to mature into trees and I have seen them in the woods over 30 feet high.

Link here for more on virburnums.

http://leeanntorrans.com/perfect-perennial-shade-garden/

Limelight Hydrangea also comes in a miniature variety. So many people do not care for the pink and vivid blue hydrangeas. These cream colored hydrangeas create a calming environment reflected in the variegated Iris in the foreground.

Proven Winners has released a few follow-ups to ‘Limelight’ that have also received praise:

‘Little Lime’ – a compact version, also an RHS AGM recipient
‘Limelight Prime’ – newer cultivar with stronger stems and more vivid color shifts

Generally Iris do best in sun, but you may get a few blooms out of them in the shade. Here the important contribution seems to be the variegated leaves rather than the blooms of the Iris.

White Althea tree in the foreground. Altheas are shrubs with many trunks typically. You can take one trunk and shape the althea into a tree or just prune back several trunks for a tree shape. I find no real difference in the appeal of an althea with one trunk or several. Altheas come in multiple colors including white, cream, pink, rose, magenta, purple and deep purple with an almost blue tint.

Link here for more on altheas.

The gravel walk with concrete pavers reflect the neutral tones of this perennial shade garden.

The variegated leaves of the Iris are the main attraction here.

Weeping Cedar: Read more on cedars in Dallas landscaping here … The gray tones of the cedar work well in this garden though this homeowner may ultimately wish that cedar were not so close to the home.

Hostas the best friend of a shade garden.

Purple Persian Shield, read more here

Agapanthus with a very popular border plant in Dallas the dwarf Box Wood.

Perennial Shade Garden with Holly Fern and Japanese Maple.

Holly fern contribute an indisputable and distinctive shade of green to a shade garden. More on ferns in Texas here.

Spreading Yew with Purple Shamrock shaded by a young Japanese Maple.

Purple shamrock are incredibly popular in all gardens. These are members of the Oxalis family. Read more on the oxalis family in Texas here.

Big Leaf Lambs Ear

Big Lambs Ear, a non blooming Lambs ear noted for its large pliable leaves.

Big Leaf Lambs Ear, a non blooming Lambs Ear is noted for its large pliable leaves.

No shade garden with a grey focus should be without Big Leaf Lambs ear. A favorite everywhere! Even Texas.

Award-Winning Lamb’s Ear Cultivars

1. ‘Helen von Stein’ (also sold as ‘Big Ears’)

Award: Missouri Botanical Garden Plant of Merit
Why It Won:
- Exceptionally large, soft, silver leaves
- More resistant to flowering (many gardeners prefer it as a foliage plant)
- Tolerates heat and humidity better than typical varieties
- Excellent as a drought-tolerant groundcover

2. Stachys byzantina (general species)

Award: Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit (AGM) (UK-based, but internationally respected)
Why It Won:
- Proven garden performance
- Reliable in a variety of conditions
- Low-maintenance and ornamental value across seasons

Recognition in Texas Gardening

While not awarded a specific Texas distinction, lamb’s ear is frequently recommended by:

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and Texas Superstars® (for related drought-tolerant performers)
Local Master Gardeners programs, especially for Central and North Texas, as a “tried-and-true” landscape choice for borders and water-wise gardens

Growing Big Leaf Lamb’s Ear in Texas

Climate Suitability:

Thrives in USDA Zones 4–9, making it well-suited for much of Texas, including North, Central, and parts of West Texas.
In hotter regions (South Texas), lamb’s ear may struggle with humidity and benefit from afternoon shade and well-draining soil.

Key Characteristics:

Foliage: Velvety, silvery-gray leaves form dense groundcover.
Size: Typically grows 12–18 inches tall with a spread of 18–24 inches.
Flowers: Produces small purple to pink flower spikes in late spring to early summer, though some gardeners cut these off to maintain focus on the foliage.

Soil & Sun Requirements:

Prefers full sun to partial shade (especially some shade in South Texas).
Requires well-draining soil; overly wet conditions can lead to rot or fungal issues.

Maintenance Tips:

Watering: Drought-tolerant once established; avoid overhead watering.
Pruning: Remove spent flowers and damaged leaves to keep the plant tidy.
Spacing: Allow air circulation to prevent fungal problems, especially in humid climates.

Notable Varieties Suitable for Texas

‘Big Ears’ (a large cultivar):
- Known for larger leaves (up to 8–10 inches long), great for dramatic texture in the landscape.
- Less likely to flower, which some gardeners prefer.
‘Helen von Stein’ (also called ‘Big Ears’ in some nurseries):
- Similar to above, non-flowering or very sparse bloom.
- Good resistance to humidity issues compared to traditional varieties.