Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
Carpets the dappled ground beneath trees, lavender-blue flowers; it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 10–15 in
- Blooms Apr–May
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- By state
- West Virginia
- For shade
West Virginia · Zones 5–7
Native Plants for Shade in West Virginia
Woodland wildflowers, ferns, and groundcovers that thrive in the dappled and full shade under trees and on the north side of the house. Every species here is genuinely native to West Virginia and the wider flora of the Mid-Atlantic and hardy through zones 5–7 — proven performers for West Virginia's cool, humid, mountainous climate across Allegheny Mountains & Ridge-and-Valley, not a generic list. Local standouts include Woodland Phlox and Wild Geranium. Shade is an opportunity, not a problem — the eastern woodland flora is one of the richest in the world. Most shade natives evolved under a deciduous canopy, so they do their growing in cool, moist spring soil and want a yearly mulch of fallen leaves rather than bare, raked dirt. Match the depth of shade to the plant, and a bare patch under a maple becomes the loveliest part of the garden.
The plants
17 native species for West Virginia
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 5–7 · see this collection in other states.
Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
A spreading carpet for the shaded woodland floor, lavender-pink flowers; it blooms Apr through Jun.
- Part shade
- Average
- 1.5–2 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
A woodland native that handles part to full shade, hardy in zones 3–8 and it blooms Apr through Jun.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2.5 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Wild Bleeding Heart
Dicentra eximia
Made for shade — it handles part to full shade, reaching 12–18 in and it blooms Apr through Aug.
- Part shade
- Average
- 12–18 in
- Blooms Apr–Aug
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
Made for shade — it handles part to full shade, spreading 12–18 in and it blooms Mar through May.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 1–2 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
A spreading carpet for the shaded woodland floor, good through zone 8, and it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 6–12 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Arrowwood Viburnum
Viburnum dentatum
For the dappled north side and under trees, it handles part to full shade — creamy white flowers and it flowers in May and Jun.
- Sun to shade
- Average–wet
- 6–10 ft
- Blooms May–Jun
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Hydrangea quercifolia
For the dappled north side and under trees, it handles part to full shade — happy in loam soil and it blooms May through Jul.
- Part shade
- Average
- 4–8 ft
- Blooms May–Jul
Turk's Cap
Malvaviscus arboreus var. drummondii
A woodland native that handles part to full shade, 2–5 ft tall and it blooms May through Oct.
- Sun to shade
- Dry–average
- 2–5 ft
- Blooms May–Oct
Smooth Hydrangea
Hydrangea arborescens
A woodland native that handles part to full shade, 3–5 ft tall and it blooms Jun through Aug.
- Part shade
- Average
- 3–5 ft
- Blooms Jun–Aug
Flowering Dogwood
Cornus florida
Made for shade — it handles part to full shade, for loam ground and it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 15–25 ft
- Blooms Apr–May
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
A spreading carpet for the shaded woodland floor, good through zone 9, flowering as it flowers in Jun.
- Sun to shade
- Dry–average
- 30–50 ft
- Blooms Jun
Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
A spreading carpet for the shaded woodland floor, hidden maroon flowers, flowering as it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 4–8 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
A woodland native that handles part to full shade, chartreuse-gold flowers and it flowers in Mar and Apr.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 6–12 ft
- Blooms Mar–Apr
Cinnamon Fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
For the dappled north side and under trees, it handles part to full shade — hardy in zones 3–9.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Foliage
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
Carpets the dappled ground beneath trees, happy in rocky and loam soil.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 6–12 in
- Foliage
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
A spreading carpet for the shaded woodland floor, 1–2 ft tall.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2 ft
- Evergreen
Sourcing
Where to find these in West Virginia
Seeds & live plants on Amazon
Seed packets, plugs, and starter plants for many of these species ship to your door.
Browse on AmazonSome links here are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The surest source of locally-adapted stock is a native-plant nursery or a native plant society sale in your area.