Large & Showy in Shade

Lately I’ve read about Leopard Plant Ligularia stenocephala 'The Rocket', I’ve also considered Goat's Beard Aruncus dioicus, they are large and showy which is what I want.

Our home is in West TN (zone 7) in a pine/cedar grove with deciduous trees sprinkled about. We have almost an acre of yard which is mostly in deep shade so I’m always looking for color and focal points. There are large areas that I’ve filled in with Lamium (Michaels Archangel) some Hosta and Ferns, some Holly and Mahonia and I’ve had some luck with Hydrangeas, Azaleas and Astilbes.

I've been told that our summers are too hot for Leopard Plant, and that Goats Beard would be ify. I'd like a second opinion. Any other suggestions? And if so would it be OK to plant this Fall or would I be better off starting next Spring? I would certainly appreciate any information that experience and knowledge would lend.

Pine/cedar grove sounds lovely. What kind of pines do you have? I am also in Tennessee, but more Middle than Western, and have had trouble getting nice pines started here and think I must be trying the wrong ones.

You probably have already tried elephant ears, right? They are certainly "large and showy," and love shade. Also some ornamental grasses - miscanthus and river oats. I have a brown Turkey fig that does well in light shade and I think it is striking. Also viburnum, and some of the variegated ivies give a nice contrast.

Ligularia 'Rocket' is a very thirsty plant. You'll have to keep it watered especially when it has to share it's moisture with large trees. My Goat's Beard isn't as fussy. It's a tough plant.

Astilbes might be my favorite shady plant. If you're looking for more color or a show, I'd go with a mass planting of the early bloomers. Daffodils naturalize easily in the woods, and nothing eats or bothers them. A really great one to try, though it takes years to mature, is bleeding heart. Fully grown, it'll form a 3' tall and wide bush with hot pink foliage. It loves shady, damp-ish environments.

The ligularia and the goats' beard both sound really interesting. I think I have a place that might suit them.

I just got rid of my Aruncus as it's only "showy" in spring and a bit boring for the rest of the year.
I would recommend camellia japonica which usually flowers in late winter where every other things are dormant, it has attractive glossy leaves all year long. Camellia also loves full shade

I live in zone 9 near Houston which gets very hot and I have a nice Leopard plant growing in a shady bed. I picked it up at a speciality nursery after seeing it at the Dallas Arboretum. I have never seen it at any of the regular nurseries I shop or I would have gotten more. I think it is a very nice plant for the shadier areas although it does need some sun.
Bonnie

Very pretty - nice ferns, too!