Shade-tolerant, gaudy flowers?

[NbyNW]

Hmmm. Lots of color, in heavy shade? (How big is the area?) That's a fun challenge. If the area is damp enough I usually go for ferns and moss in that situation. Or hostas. Which can be plenty colorful, but maybe not what you're hoping for.

You could try some impatiens, if you're only looking for short-term renters until you decide exactly what to do with the space. There are also violets that can be quite shade tolerant. The planter by my front door never gets direct sunlight, and even less water, and johnny-jump-ups seem to spontaneously appear there.

Bleeding hearts supposedly like shade but I never seem to have the right place for them. There's a pink and white variety and there's an all white variety. Look at anemones. They come in different colors, but might take a bit longer to establish in our climate.

If you don't mind white flowers, you could try nicotianas and lily-of-the-valley.

Another strategy is to have some potted plants that you like, even if they prefer more sun, and rotate them out of the space every few days so they get what they need elsewhere.

[szsz]

Coleus are available in a bunch of crazy colors these days. Though they are not flowers they can look amazing, hand painted even!

[bmccasland]

Begonias? They have colorful flowers and leaves and like shade.

Or just see what you find at your local, non-big box nursery.

[KnottedYet]

Or just see what you find at your local, non-big box nursery.

This one: Sky Nursery http://www.skynursery.com/

[salsabike]

This one: Sky Nursery http://www.skynursery.com/

My favorite nursery! They'll be helpful too, if you ask.

[grey]

Begonias? They have colorful flowers and leaves and like shade.

Or just see what you find at your local, non-big box nursery.

Begonias was my vote. They also tend to seed freely.