Even though most annuals require many hours of direct sunlight for best growth and bloom during the summer, there are a few annuals that favor shady garden areas. Flowering bedding plants that flourish in shady areas may do equally well in wet soil, average moisture or dry conditions. 

Bedding Impatiens are America's number one selling bedding plant and can now handle partial shade / partial sun, occasionally in full sun with the right conditions.  Plants are now more robust and vigorous, so choose the smaller growing varieties for your garden areas that have the deepest shade so they won't get too tall and thin. The larger growing Impatiens varieties are ideal for less shady areas.

Bedding Begonias known throughout different parts of the US as Fibrous-rooted, Perpetual or Wax Begonias flourish in the deepest shade, but now do very well in partial shade too.

Another fantastic shade lover, often used as a perennial are the new Coral Bells. They are being bred more for the fantastic foliage colors than for the blossoms.

Although many plants with variegated leaves lose the richness of the variegation in the shade, Coleus is a great example of a popular flowering annual that holds the bright contrast of greens, whites, reds, yellows and purples on its leaves even in deep shade.

Less well-known annuals that are shade loving should be tried in the home garden, adding a new look and texture.  Despite it's unattractive name, Spotted Nettle, adds soft, delicate color and foliage texture and works nicely in the mixed containers popular today. 

To view learn more about flowering annuals that grow in full shade, please visit Virtual Plant Tags.