Many of the following perennials tolerate dry shade but flourish in moist, well-drained soil. Each typically displays the richest foliage colors with a couple of hours of direct sunlight a day. All hold up well to dry conditions and are deer and rabbit resistant.

Barrenworts (aka Bishop’s cap, Fairy Wings) (Epimedium spp.) represent over 70 cultivars and new hybrid selections are arriving every year. No two cultivars seem alike in flowering and foliage traits. Species will vary from 6 to 20 inches in height and 10 to 24 inches in spread. Fairy wings, depending on species, may be evergreen or deciduous.

Sacred lilies (Rohdea japonica) are mostly evergreen perennials that grow 8-24 inches high depending on cultivar. Well-established clumps produce short-stemmed, creamy to greenish, white bell shaped flowers. Blooms, mostly inconspicuous, are mostly hidden within the dense leathery foliage. Red or orange ornamental berries follow in autumn and last through most of the winter. Plants prefer humus-rich well-drained soil, but cope with moderate periods of drought. (zones (5)6-10).

Ajuga (aka bugleweed) is a groundcover perennial with pretty spring floral spikes of cobalt-blue flowers and lovely foliage. Popular varieties include ‘Burgundy Glow’ (silvery green leaves splotched with pink/ burgundy/ white); Chocolate Chip (small, narrow green leaves spotted burgundy purple); Black Scallop (large purple leaves with high gloss). (Zones 3-9).

Lenten roses (Helleborus x orientalis) are so easy and so pretty in dry shady gardens with well-drained soil. Exquisite bowl- or saucer-shape flowers in white (often speckled), pinks, yellows, or maroon bloom for three months from mid-winter into spring. Their evergreen foliage is deer-resistant.

Bigleaf cranesbill (Geranium macrorrhorizum) is a resilient ground cover for dry shade. Its deeply lobed green foliage takes on shades of reddish-orange in fall. Popular varieties- ‘Bevans’ and ‘Ingwersen’s Variety’- bear pale pink blooms appear in spring. (zones 3-8).

Lilyturf (Liriope muscari) is an easy to grow perennial that tolerates a wide range of light and soil conditions. It copes summer heat, humidity and drought. Foliage is evergreen in warm southern climates (zones 7-10). Purple blooms (white variety also available) arise above the strap-like evergreen leaves in early autumn. (zones 5-10).