Small plants that grow in the shade?

I live in an apartment and have a large patio, however it is surrounded by trees and an above apartment. The patio is cement and has two 4X8 dirt areas with small bushes growing in them. I am looking to spruce up the patio a little more with some flowers to make it feel less "BLAH." I have a hose so they will be easy to water. Any suggestions or links to pictures of flowers/plants would be great. Thanks in advance.

Small plants that grow in the shade?
All of the above are good answers. If you don't have really a really cold winter, impatiens and begonias may even winter over. Coleus comes in a huge number of varieties. When inter-planted with flowering shade plants, they really make a splash! They will eventually go to seed, so to keep them healthy, cut off any seed heads that develop.





You can trim impatiens and begonias to keep them from getting 'leggy' late in the year. Pinching the ends of new shoots works best - when they get to be the size that you want.





A water-soluble plant food is a good idea once or twice a month. Container plants don't have the advantage of sending down deep roots so they rely on us to feed them.





You almost can't over water these varieties, but don't leave them in standing water unless it is very hot. If they dry out, they may wilt a bit, but will bounce back with a good soaking.





Just about everything grows well in Portland. Good luck!
Reply:Mother in laws tongue, pansies.
Reply:You didn't mention in what part of the country you live, but impatiens are pretty in the summer. Azaelas and camellias grow in shade as well as ferns, bleeding hearts and some lilies. Hydrangeas too. Good luck.
Reply:I planted coleus seeds this year. They are neat plants that have very colorful foliage. I started them in little plastic cups, moving them to larger pots when the roots start to show on the bottom. Be sure to poke drainage holes in the cups first. My seed packet was the "Wizard mixed colors" variety. They work well in the shade (or indoors near a window).
Reply:Some plants that will do well in shade include impatiens and begonia, but impatiens are annual. They'll die after the first strong frost. Begonia are more expensive and are also more temperamental.





I am partial to impatiens because they are nonstop bloomers from spring until frost. I get mine already growing from Burpee or Southern States, because I am not skilled at growing from seed, except for marigolds, which are almost too easy to grow.