Perennial plants and rock bands have much in common. Both perform for years before seemingly becoming an overnight success. Pretty weeds wait in the wings for the right person, at the correct time, to come along and make it a perennial star. Collectors covet and trade plants for years until a critical mass is reached, and like the latest rock band, these perennials explode onto the stage once the buzz gets started. While sun-loving perennials seem to appear around every corner of the nursery, shade plants often seem few and far between, leaving gardeners without a lot of light feeling a bit slighted. The truth is, however, that there is no shortage of shady perennials, just a lack of awareness.After 20 years of gardening below the trees, I'm still discovering untapped shady characters. These eight plants are among my favorite underused gems, and none is a deer favorite (although a hungry deer will eat anything). And best of all, they are certain to leave sun gardeners green with envy—for a change.
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