Shade is an integral part of any landscape and gardens. It ranges from deep year round shade produced by double-story houses and large trees to partial shade based on the angle of sun as it changes throughout the day. Shade will also increase as trees mature, often impacting the under story plants that will have to adapt (or be replaced) due to lower levels of sun.
Most shade plants need some form of indirect or filtered sunlight to sustain their growth but may suffer sunburn in warm climate zones when exposed to intense summer sun and heat after months without such exposure.
This list has our bay area favorite plants with moderate to high adaptations of shade that fair well with low to regular moisture.

Photo credit to Flickr user Carl E Lewis

Photo credit to Flickr user Carl E Lewis

Dianella tasmanica – tasman flax lily
Photo credit to Flickr user F. D. Richards

Photo credit to Flickr user F. D. Richards

Carex morrowii ‘goldband’ – goldband variegated sedge
Photo credit to Flickr user Starr Environmental

Photo credit to Flickr user Starr Environmental

Liriope muscari – blue lily turf
Photo credit to Flickr user Starr Environmental

Photo credit to Flickr user Starr Environmental

Adiantum raddianum – maidenhair fern
Photo credit to Flickr user briweldon

Photo credit to Flickr user briweldon

Heuchera maxima – coral bells
Photo credit to Flickr user Starr Environmental

Photo credit to Flickr user Starr Environmental

Loropetalum chinense – fringe flower
Photo credit to Flickr user daryl_mitchell

Photo credit to Flickr user daryl_mitchell

Anemone sylvestris – Snowdrop Windflower
Photo credit to Flickr user benet2006

Photo credit to Flickr user benet2006

Woodwardia fimbriata – giant chain fern-  great for under redwood trees
Photo credit to Flickr user romana klee

Photo credit to Flickr user romana klee

Hydrangea quercifolia ‘Sikes Dwarf’- great for under redwood trees