8 Shade Tolerant Annual Flowers

I plan on having quite a few flower pots on my back patio this year.  The only problem is that the patio is shaded.  Since most of the flowers I am used to growing love full sun, I am having to get creative about what flowers I choose, and how I plan to grow them.  I put together a handy dandy little list of flowers that tolerate shade so that I would have plenty to choose from.  Then, it occurred to me to share the list…because that’s what I do…I’m a sharer.

1. Fuchsia.  Fuchsia is bright and classy.  It not only tolerates shade, but also cooler weather.  It can be planted in hanging baskets, flower beds, and planters.
2. Alyssum.  Alyssum has tiny little flowers {usually white}.  It makes a great border plant.  It will tolerate shade and rock beds.  It will “spill” over the top/front of hanging baskets and pots, giving them a fuller and brighter look.
3. Amethyst flower.  Amethyst have near perfect petals.  They are shaped kind of like a star.  They tolerate shade, but do need warmth.
4. Coleus.  I love, love, love Coleus.  While it’s technically not a flower, it has bright green and purple leaves that make flower pots pop.  It’s easy to grow from seed too.
5. Impatiens.  Impatiens come in a variety of pinks, reds, and purples.  Some have have purple  leaves, which give them a little bit of individuality.
6. Lobelia.  Lobelia are blue/purple.  They do well in the shade and can tolerate cooler temperatures.  They have a vine-like growing pattern, so they are awesome for hanging baskets and the edges of pots.
7. Browallia.  Browallia is typically blue or purple.  They are small/medium sized flowers with beautiful individual petals.
8. Viola.  Violas remind me of the flowers on Alice in Wonderland.  They look like they have faces to me.  They prefer cooler temperatures and can tolerate shade.  The downside to these guys in hot climates is that they will have a short blooming season.

There are actually quite a few more, but these are my favorite contenders so far.  How about YOU, do you have any favorite shade tolerant flowers?

~Mavis