Plants That Thrive in Shady Entryway

Q: The entryway to our home is very shaded. What permanent flower may I plant here that doesn’t require much care and doesn’t get too tall?

A: The houseplant spathiphyllum would probably survive outside for you; it’s one of the few plants that will bloom in low-light areas. But its white flower spike is not very spectacular and the plant requires considerable water. A better bet is clivia, with splendid orange flower clusters in March and April and handsome green strap-like leaves all year round. Star jasmine, a fragrant vine, also grows well in shade. Nonflowering possibilities are ferns and small-leaf ivy.