Confetti White Polka Dot Plants As Bedding Annuals in Backyard Shade - May 2026

Last year, I planted ten small white Polka Dot Plants (Hypoestes) in be-twix the Boxwoods underneath the Linden Espalier.  I sort-of bought them on a whim and stuck them in there because they do well in shade.  By August, I was declaring them a [gardening win] because of how they brightened up a dark space in the garden and were mostly care-free.  

At Wannemakers recently, I picked up a full flat of Confetti White Hypoestes Polka Dot plants.  That's 40 annuals.   See below for the flat and plant tag. 

I wanted to use these as bedding plants (on my 2026 list) and talked about how planting these in a couple of spots in the backyard can help bring that notion of repetition - (which...ahem...improves garden legibility).  

I haven't planted all forty just yet, but here's how I've started with them below. 

I started with seventeen (17) under the Lindens.  

Along the southside, I planted two little pockets of bright white.  One of five and one of seven.  Twelve more and 29 out of 40 so far. 

Then, over on the northside, I planted four more right in front of some hostas and around the Emperor 1 (the small one).  That gets me to 29+4 = 33.  

The seven remaining ones I'd like to put in the far back.  But, that means that I have to be better about watering things back there.  I need to get motivated to add them and maybe a few other things so I'll be dedicated to watering more around the firepit - which is a spot that I've failed at watering over the years.  

Between the bedding coleus and now these white Polka Dot Plants, I'm doing more annuals than I've done most seasons.  That's a good thing.