Foamflower
Tiarella cordifolia
Carpets the dappled ground beneath trees, happy in loam soil, flowering as it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 6–12 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Maine · Zones 3–6
Native Plants for Shade in Maine
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 Maine and the wider flora of the Northeast and hardy through zones 3–6 — proven performers for Maine's cool, short summers climate across Acadian forest & coastal lowlands, not a generic list. Local standouts include Foamflower and Wild Bleeding Heart. 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
15 native species for Maine
Each one native to your region and hardy in zones 3–6 · see this collection in other states.
Wild Bleeding Heart
Dicentra eximia
For the dappled north side and under trees, it handles part to full shade — 12–18 in tall and it blooms Apr through Aug.
- Part shade
- Average
- 12–18 in
- Blooms Apr–Aug
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, 15–25 ft tall and it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 15–25 ft
- Blooms Apr–May
Wild Geranium
Geranium maculatum
A shade groundcover for the woodland floor, 1.5–2 ft wide — it blooms Apr through Jun.
- Part shade
- Average
- 1.5–2 ft
- Blooms Apr–Jun
Virginia Bluebells
Mertensia virginica
Thrives in cool shade under a canopy, where it handles part to full shade; sky blue flowers and it blooms Mar through May.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 1–2 ft
- Blooms Mar–May
Woodland Phlox
Phlox divaricata
A shade groundcover for the woodland floor, for loam ground, flowering as it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 10–15 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Wild Columbine
Aquilegia canadensis
Made for shade — it 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
Arrowwood Viburnum
Viburnum dentatum
For the dappled north side and under trees, it handles part to full shade — for clay and loam ground and it flowers in May and Jun.
- Sun to shade
- Average–wet
- 6–10 ft
- Blooms May–Jun
Virginia Creeper
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Carpets the dappled ground beneath trees, cold-hardy to zone 3, flowering as it flowers in Jun.
- Sun to shade
- Dry–average
- 30–50 ft
- Blooms Jun
Wild Ginger
Asarum canadense
Carpets the dappled ground beneath trees, hidden maroon flowers, and it flowers in Apr and May.
- Part shade
- Average
- 4–8 in
- Blooms Apr–May
Spicebush
Lindera benzoin
For the dappled north side and under trees, it handles part to full shade — hardy in zones 4–9 and it flowers in Mar and Apr.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 6–12 ft
- Blooms Mar–Apr
Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides
Carpets the dappled ground beneath trees, for rocky and loam ground.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 1–2 ft
- Evergreen
Cinnamon Fern
Osmundastrum cinnamomeum
Made for shade — it handles part to full shade, 2–3 ft wide.
- Part shade
- Average–wet
- 2–4 ft
- Foliage
Pennsylvania Sedge
Carex pensylvanica
A spreading carpet for the shaded woodland floor, spreading 1–2 ft.
- Part shade
- Dry–average
- 6–12 in
- Foliage
Sourcing
Where to find these in Maine
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.