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Best shrub for part shade


15 Partial Shade Shrubs For Your Yard Or Garden

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If you’re looking for partial shade shrubs for your yard or garden, you’re in the right place! In this post, I’ll give you a list of my favorite bushes that grow in partial shade.



Some people think that if they don’t have much sun, then they can’t grow any shrubs in their garden.

This is simply not true. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the amount of partial shade shrubs you’ll have to choose from!

You don’t have to sacrifice color or flowers either. Many of the partial shade bushes on this list have spectacular blooms or vivid foliage to bring color to those darker corners.

Read on to learn about my favorite bushes and shrubs that thrive in part shade areas.

What Shrubs Grow In Partial Shade?

If your yard doesn’t get much sunlight, don’t despair! There are plenty of good bushes for partial shade, and many of them even flower!

So whether you have a northern exposure, or your garden only gets morning or evening sun. You should have no problem finding lovely shrubbery to fill your space.

15 Partial Shade Shrubs For Your Garden

The bushes in the list below will perform well in a wide range of climates. So, no matter where you live, you should be able to find some great options.

1. Hydrangea

When it comes to finding bushes for partial shade, hydrangea is one of the best. It’s known for the large, showy flowers that are good for arrangements or drying.

The late spring and summer blooms can be anywhere from white to pink, purple, magenta, or blue, depending on the variety.

There are tons of different species and hybrids. Some are as short as 36”, while others can get up to 12’ tall.

Various types of these iconic shrubs thrive in almost any zone, ranging from 3 through 10. Learn all about how to grow hydrangeas here.

Hydrangeas are flowering bushes for shade

2. Enkianthus campanulatus

These beautiful flowering partial shade bushes are tough, adaptable, and hardy. This Japanese native grows well in zones 4-7, reaching heights of 6-8’ tall.

It has bell shaped blossoms that are produced in clusters, and transition from white to pink or maroon. This habit sometimes earns them the name Redvein Enkianthus.

Blooming in late spring to early summer, and transitioning to vivid red and gold foliage in the fall, this shrub can bring a lot of color to shady gardens.

3. Spirea

These small shrubs have beautiful blue-green foliage and are perfect for partial shade. Growing only 24-35” high, they are one of the shorter options on this list.

Spireas are particularly cold hardy, and will thrive in colder climates anywhere from zones 2 to 7.

It blooms from mid spring to early summer, with clumps of delicate tiny flowers that remind me of little umbrellas. These pink or white blossoms attract lots of bees and butterflies.

Spirea are good shade shrubs

4. Dogwood

One of the largest partial shade shrubs on this list, dogwoods grow anywhere from 12-15’ hight. It does well in the cool to moderate climates of zones 4 to 8.

These classic bushes produces nice white flower clusters in late spring to early summer. Once the blooms fade, lots of small white berries will form, which attract birds.

There are several types to choose from. I especially love the variety that has beautiful variegated foliage, which brightens my shade gardens throughout the season.

5. Bush Honeysuckle

Known for attracting pollinators, like bees and butterflies, bush honeysuckles are good shrubs for shady areas.

Reaching heights of 10-12’ tall, they are hardy in zones 4-8. The pink or yellow flowers bloom in late spring to early summer.

Mine gets yellow blossoms in early summer, and it really brightens up the shady corner it’s planted in. Plus they get great fall color on the foliage to extend their beauty.

Bush honeysuckle are large shrubs that grow in shade

6. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis)

Another tall shrub for partial shade areas, witch hazel gets 10-15’ high. You can grow it anywhere from zone 3 to 8, as long as you keep it in evenly moist soil.

This plant has a rather unusual blooming habit. Depending on the species, the yellow or orange flowers open in either late winter or late fall.

The foliage is also very colorful in the fall, adding a bright spot to your garden at the end of the season.

7. Barberry

With their stunning, dark red leaves, barberries are great shrubs for shade. They get inconspicuous yellow flowers in mid spring, but are more remarkable for their foliage.

Some varieties have golden yellow leaves, which creates a wonderful contrast when interplanted with the red ones.

Not only do they have lovely foliage, they are covered in bright red berries in the fall. I love watching the birds feed on them during the winter.

This tough shrub does well in many climates, thriving in zones 3-10. They can reach up to 48” tall, but the dwarf varieties stay smaller – between 24-36”.

I’m a huge fan of them. But some people don’t like them because they have prickly thorns like a rose bush, which can be annoying.

Barberries are colorful bushes for shade

8. Boxwood

When these partial to full shade evergreen shrubs are planted alone, they can be a bit boring with no flowers. But it makes a gorgeous backdrop for some of the blooming ones on this list.

The year-round greenery and thick foliage can create a good fence alternative, and is an excellent addition to any garden.

Boxwood grows up to 6-8’ tall, and does best in the temperate to warmer areas of growing zones 6-8.

9. Rhododendron & Azalea Shrubs

Some of my favorite partial shade flowering shrubs for zones 4-8, rhododendrons and azaleas come in lots of different colors and sizes.

The early to mid spring blooms range from purple to pink, red, yellow, or white. The bush heights range from the dwarf hybrids at 24-36″, while large ones can reach 36-48″

When not in bloom, the beautiful, shiny foliage makes a fantastic background for other plants.

They thrive in acidic soil, which makes them a natural pairing for the shady areas under pine or other fir trees.

Azalea is one of the best partial shade shrubs

10. Mock Orange

Not related to citrus in any way, mock orange makes an excellent shrub for shade gardens. It blooms in late spring to early summer, and the white flowers smell AH-mazing.

These large specimens would make great shrubs for privacy, or a nice backdrop for other plants.

This vibrant green bush grows 8-10’ tall, and is quite full for optimal coverage. It does well in a range of temperate areas, primarily zones 4 to 8.

11. Roses

Believe it or not, roses can be excellent shrubs for shade gardens. Some varieties will not only tolerate partial shade, but they will thrive and blossom there.

I grow a few types in part shade, and they bloom profusely. I love how bright the flowers look in those darker areas too.

There are many, many different species to choose from, with tons of different flower colors. Their hardiness ranges from zones 4-11, depending on the type.

You can also find them in any height that you need. Small varieties start out as short as 24”, while others can get as tall as 20’.

Related Post: 17 Pink Flowers For Your Garden (Annuals & Perennials)

Roses are excellent shrubs for partial sun

12. Elderberry

If you’re looking for medium sized shrubs that do well in partial shade, look no further. Elderberries are native to most of the northern hemisphere, and they do well in zones 3-9.

These 8-10’ tall bushes produce sweet smelling white flower clusters in late spring and early summer, which the pollinators adore.

In the fall, they get beautiful black berries. Birds love them, and they are edible for humans too! In fact, the yummy berries are a common ingredient in jams, wines, and desserts.

13. Weigela

I moved my weigela to a shady spot several years ago, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they bloom even better there than they did in the full sun.

These part to full shade shrubs are fairly small, growing 36-48”. You can also find dwarf sizes, which are only 12-18” tall. For even more variety, look for the ones with variegated leaves.

The light pink or fuschia flowers put on their show in late spring to early summer in zones 4-9, and provide a blast of amazing color.

They can get a bit leggy with age, so prune them in early summer after they are done blooming to keep them fuller.

Weigelas are great partial to full shade shrubs

14. Viburnum

This bushy shrub is great for a privacy screen in shady areas, growing 8-10’ tall with lots of branching.

There are several species of viburnum that grow from zones 2 to 9, and all of them are tough plants that can survive in trouble areas.

In late spring and early summer, they have balls of small white flowers. They also provide a splash of color in fall with their bright foliage.

The dark blue berries, which are produced in autumn, are great for attracting birds to your garden.

15. Camelia

If you want gorgeous flowering bushes for partial shade, camelias are for you. There are hundreds of different species and cultivars, so you have lots of options.

These lovely shrubs can grow to a height of 4-12’ tall, and the varieties bloom at different times of year. They can have white, pink, red, or even yellow blossoms.

They do better in warmer climates (zones 7 to 11), and require consistently moist soil.

Camelias are beautiful flowering shrubs for shade

Don’t get discouraged by a lack of sun in your yard, there are plenty of beautiful partial shade shrubs to choose from. Whether you are looking for a privacy screen, pollinator attractors, or some interesting color, these shade loving bushes will serve you well.

Recommended Reading

More About Shade Gardening

Do you have any favorite partial shade shrubs that you would add to this list?

29 Best Shrubs for Shade Gardens

By

Vanessa Richins Myers

Vanessa Richins Myers

Vanessa Richins Myers is a seasoned horticulturist, writer, and educator with over 10 years of training and experience as a professional horticulturist and gardener. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture, with an emphasis in landscape design and urban horticulture. She volunteers as a community garden specialist.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 06/15/22

The Spruce

It can be tough designing a garden in a shady area. You have to make sure you choose the right shrubs for the conditions. Without the proper amount of sun, flowering shrubs may fail to produce blossoms or bloom poorly, and many shrubs will perform poorly overall. Deep shade can even kill your plants unless they are species that naturally grow in shade. The following plants are able to grow in at least part shade, and some can handle full shade.

Warning

Many shrubs that grow in shade are toxic, including:

How to Design a Garden for Partial Shade

Article Sources

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. Ribes alpinum. Missouri Botanical Garden

  2. Aucuba japonica. North Carolina State University Extension

  3. Rhododendron. Missouri Botanical Garden

  4. Forrester, M B. Pediatric Nandina domestica ingestions reported to poison centers. Human & experimental toxicology vol. 37,4 (2018): 338-342. doi:10.1177/0960327117705429

  5. Hydrangea blooms turn colors based on soil pH levels. College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, UGA Cooperative Extension

  6. Pieris japonica. North Carolina State University Extension

  7. Idaho Panhandle National Forests - Learning Center.

  8. Aesculus pavia. North Carolina State University Extension

  9. Skimmia japonica. Oregon State University, College of Agricultural Sciences - Department of Horticulture

  10. Toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia. California Native Plant Society, Calscape

What shrubs grow in the shade, names, photos, characteristics

Dacha owners want to grow different plants, including large trees that shade part of the area. The desire to beautifully decorate the territory of the site raises the question of which shrubs grow in the shade, which herbs and flowers will serve as companions for them, and help create original compositions in a semi-shaded area.

Contents

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Light-loving crops, when planted in a shaded area, feel uncomfortable, their growth and development slow down, budding on them is weak, the color of the leaves becomes faded, or even completely changes. nine0003

Shade-loving ones can hardly stand bright light, suffer from the sun's rays that burn the foliage, and eventually dry up.

Does the intensity of the shade matter

Which shrubs grow in the shade is the main question that we will consider, but before proceeding to it, it should be clarified that the shade can be different. According to the quality of the shade, the choice of plants is made.

Shady corners of the site can be divided into several types:

Are there any advantages to a shaded area?

The range of plants used to improve a shaded area is wide, but to get the desired result, you need to take into account: nine0008

  • too poor soils will need to be enriched with nutrients, when choosing them, the acidity of the soil should be taken into account;
  • soil moisture level, for shade-tolerant deciduous shrubs, it is important that the soil remains moist in hot weather;
    the need to equip a drainage system for too wet and heavy soils. Pebbles or pieces of brick laid on the bottom of the planting holes can be used as drainage.

    • Depending on the parameters of the shaded area, it can be wet or dry. To select suitable shrubs, you need to determine the type of shade and select varieties accordingly. nine0003

    If the shaded area is occupied by large fruit or ornamental trees, then the shade will be dry, because large plants have a strong root system and are able to pump water out of the soil, and with it nutrients. Wet shade is formed on dense soils in the absence of drainage.

    What varieties of shade-tolerant shrubs are planted in the garden

    The list of plants that do well in shady areas is quite long and allows you to apply different techniques to create different styles of landscape design. Shrubs are used for the following purposes:

    Ornamental shrubs, which are commonly used in landscape design, are divided into 2 groups:

    Let's watch a useful video about which shrubs grow in the shade:

    How to choose shade-tolerant ornamental shrubs

    To determine which shade-tolerant plants will suit the site, study their characteristics and visual assessment of the photos on which they are depicted.

    Let's present the most popular varieties that surprise with their decorative effect and attract with relative ease of care.

    Rhododendron

    This representative of the Heather family looks beautiful during the flowering period, pink or lilac petals of its inflorescences, densely covering the branches, have a bright color. Dense, fleshy leaves, oval or ovoid in shape, look attractive. nine0003

    Rhododendrons are very hardy, easily enduring conditions of heavy shading, in which other species will wither and eventually die. However, for bushes, it is preferable to choose semi-shaded areas with drained soil. It is advisable to provide for the possibility of watering plantings during a period of severe drought.

    Rhododendrons are used for planting along garden paths, they look great against the background of conifers or building walls.

    Garden jasmine or mock orange

    Very popular plant, readily grown by gardeners. The view is attractive, the flowers are bright, large, have an amazing aroma, which fills the entire garden during the flowering period.

    Shrub does not require quality soil, can adapt to life in any conditions. The plant is frost-resistant, in summer it can withstand prolonged drought. The procedure for caring for jasmine practically consists in correct and fairly frequent pruning and pruning of bushes. Dense plantings are used to create hedges. nine0003

    But if you want to admire the lush flowering of mock orange, then you can observe it if the bushes are planted in partial shade, in conditions of deep shade, flowering will not be plentiful. In addition, many varieties of garden jasmine have been bred today; when choosing, you should take into account the peculiarities of the climatic conditions of your area of ​​​​residence.

    Cotoneaster

    Ornamental plant resistant to adverse living conditions, it can be grown on shady areas, even in cities where the air is characterized by increased gas content. nine0003

    Cotoneaster branches are densely covered with dark green leaves that turn red in autumn. The bushes have a beautiful dense crown, designers prefer to use it when creating a hedge.

    In addition, bushes lend themselves well to shaping. When creating garden compositions, both erect and creeping plant varieties are used.

    Flowering shrub, flower petals in different varieties may be white or pink, the flowers themselves may be collected in racemes or solitary. Cotoneaster fruits are bright, black or red. nine0003

    Gotensia

    Shrub considered one of the most common and popular in the world. In the conditions of the middle lane, dozens of frost-resistant varieties are grown.

    Hydrangea is planted in sunny and shaded areas, provided that there is enough nutrient soil. It is necessary to provide for the possibility of irrigation, because. hydrangea is very sensitive to soil moisture.

    The plant is characterized by long flowering, and the flowers at different stages of flowering have a different color, at first the petals of hydrangea paniculata lettuce, then white, at the end of flowering they become a delicate pink color. nine0003

    Kalynolistny vesicle

    This shrub is the undoubted leader in the number of varieties, in its description they usually emphasize decorativeness, unpretentiousness, suitability for growing in urban conditions are distinguished among the quality characteristics.

    A spherical vesicle bush covered with corrugated leaves and lush clusters of flowers looks luxurious, the seeds of the plant ripening in boxes look no less attractive against the background of the leaves. Among the latest achievements of breeders, it should be noted new varieties that are distinguished by a unique foliage color: purple and golden yellow. nine0003

    Derain white

    The plant attracts attention with beautiful leaves with a white border along the edge. The bright color of the leaves does not fade in the shade; by autumn, pink and apricot shades are added to the color scheme of the leaves. The decorativeness of the plant is not lost in winter, its red shoots look very bright against the background of snow.

    Deren is not picky about the quality of lighting and is resistant to winter frosts, but it needs moist nutrient soil for active growth.

    Some turf varieties are tall, but shaping their shape and size is not at all difficult, the plant tolerates pruning well. nine0003

    For more information about the best shade-tolerant garden plants, watch the video:

    Does it make sense to consider planting fruit-bearing shrubs in shady areas

    Yes, some fruit-bearing shrubs can be grown in shady conditions. Consider the descriptions of the most unpretentious plants.

    Honeysuckle

    This fruit-bearing shrub owes its popularity to its hardiness, it can grow normally in shady areas, it is not demanding on soil quality, it is resistant to polluted air, which allows it to be grown in urban conditions. nine0003

    There are a lot of varieties of honeysuckle today, so the shrub can have quite large differences in the color of the leaves and flowers, the fruits can also differ in shape and ripening time.

    It should be remembered that some varieties of honeysuckle, for example, Honeysuckle, are suitable for growing in good light, others (Tatarskaya) withstand moderate shading well.

    Honeysuckle is used for single plantings, vertical gardening, for arranging hedges. nine0003

    Barberry

    The plant is fast growing and highly resistant to frost. The bushes do not require special care, the plant can withstand even severe droughts.

    The leaves of the barberry are small, beautifully shaped, green in summer, changing color to burgundy in autumn.

    The Thunberg barberry variety has a burgundy leaf color throughout the summer, and the Thunberg barberry Goldalita has golden yellow leaves.

    Barberry berries have a pleasant aroma and excellent taste and are used in cooking, especially in oriental cuisine recipes. nine0003

    Gooseberry

    It can be grown in sunny or shaded areas. The plant does not need frequent watering, it easily tolerates short droughts.

    Gooseberries in the process of ripening acquire a yellow or reddish hue, become translucent.

    The fruits are used in cooking, they are used to make compotes and jams.

    Which companion plants can be planted in shady corners of the garden

    Planting shrubs alone is not enough to create beautiful corners in the shady part of the garden. nine0003

    You will need to select small plants that will allow you to maintain the decorativeness of the site throughout the summer season.

    Let's note the most popular ones and give a brief description of them.

    Climbing plants in natural conditions are undergrowth plants, so there is no doubt about their shade tolerance. Liana-like are used to decorate arbors and pergolas, verandas.

    Popular plants in this group are parthenocissus, kirkazon and knyazhik. They grow quickly and are able to form dense thickets. The attention of the owners of suburban areas is often attracted by girlish grapes, whose leaves turn bright red-orange hues in autumn. nine0003

    Ferns, depending on the varieties, differ in size, but their leaves have a clear graphic and volume, which allows you to get a background for flowering shrubs.

    No less interesting in compositions with shrubs are hostas.

    They withstand the shading of the site. It is noteworthy that the plant is represented by numerous varieties, gardeners can pick up bushes with a height of 10 to 60 cm. Hostas go well with ferns. nine0003

    Ground cover plants are planted to create a carpet under the trees. Saxifrage, periwinkle, lungwort are decorative, develop well in the shade.

    Shade is tolerated from flowering annual crops:

    Bulbs can also be planted in the shade of the trees, as crocuses, daffodils and tulips begin to bloom before the trees have even leafed out. nine0003

    Although most cereals prefer the sun. in the penumbra take root:

    Considering which shrubs grow in the shade, we remembered the most popular plants that require minimal care. But in order to get not only decorative greenery, but active flowering and fruiting, of course, you will need to organize proper plant care.

    The best shrubs for creating hedges in partial shade. Planting and care, description of species and varieties, photo - Botanichka

    When buying a plot, the owners do not always get a wasteland open to sunlight from morning to evening. Many areas are shaded by mature trees. Sometimes you want to create a fence "in the corridor" between the walls of your own and a neighbor's house. Often, green spaces are also needed on the north side of the building. Light-loving plants planted even in light penumbra will never create dense green walls and will not be able to serve as a stable hedge. Therefore, it is very important to navigate in deciduous shrubs that will show their best in partial shade. nine0003 The best shrubs for creating hedges in partial shade. © Home Depot

    Why hedges are valued in gardening

    Every year, hedges become more and more popular. Owners of dachas and adjacent plots are increasingly using green spaces along with traditional fences or even instead of it. And this is not surprising, because the green screen has many advantages over traditional fencing.

    A hedge is not only marking the boundaries of the plot, protecting the garden from winds, road noise and the glances of curious passers-by. It is also an integral part of landscape compositions, a uniform background for colorful flower beds and expressive groups of deciduous and coniferous plants. nine0003

    In addition, green curtains can unobtrusively decorate unattractive outbuildings and do an excellent job of separating functional areas with picturesque lines, smoothing out corners, and sometimes visually changing the configuration of the garden.

    Read also our Top 5 Plants for Dust Resistant Hedges.

    In order for "green walls" to successfully fulfill their duties for many years, it is important to select plant elements for their creation, taking into account the basic requirements of plants for growing conditions. nine0003

    To create a living fence in dense dense shade, where nothing but moss grows, it is advisable to abandon the "green solution". With a significant lack of sun, any shrubs stretch out and lose their attractive appearance. But if a hedge is needed in an area where the sun's rays look at least a few hours a day, then you should pay attention to the plants that we will talk about in this article.

    Derain is beautiful both in winter and in summer

    One of the most unpretentious deciduous shrubs, with free growth quickly reaching a height of 3-3.5 meters. The decorativeness of the derain is mainly provided by the foliage of the plant. Depending on the variety, the leaf blade of the shrub may have a white or golden border, and sometimes chaotic patterns. nine0003 Derain is one of the most unpretentious deciduous shrubs that prefers partial shade. © Art’s Bayfield Almanac

    In autumn, the attractive foliage of the derain turns purple and looks especially beautiful. Unlike most deciduous, this shrub is attractive even after the foliage has fallen, since bright crimson young shoots become the main decoration of the plant. The catchy colored bark looks especially impressive in winter against the background of white snow.

    As you know, many plants with variegated foliage can noticeably lose color in partial shade, but the variegated painted leaves of the deren remain bright even with a lack of lighting. A hedge from this shrub can easily add color to a plain shady area while maintaining a stable decorative look. nine0003

    Planting and maintenance of a turf hedge

    To create a turf hedge, grown seedlings of two to three years of age are planted at a distance of 30-40 centimeters from each other. Landing can be carried out both in autumn and in spring. Before the plants fully take root, they definitely need regular abundant watering. In the future, this shrub requires a minimum of attention, usually pests are not too greedy for its foliage, and diseases bypass it.

    The only peculiarity of turf that is important to take into account is its increased moisture-loving nature, so plants endure long-term drought with great difficulty, and in abnormally dry summers they definitely require abundant watering. nine0003

    Derain is one of the fastest growing shrubs, and most of its varieties form a dense hedge in just one or two seasons. Pruning can be done at any time from spring to autumn, as it is painless for the plant. For the first time, the turf is cut when it reaches the age of three, and then it is cut 1-3 times a year.

    In natural style gardens, turf is well suited for creating naturally shaped hedges. In this case, only gentle and sanitary pruning is carried out, which involves the removal of damaged shoots and light containment of the volume of the bush (pruning the tops of young shoots). nine0003 Red branches of turf will decorate the garden in winter

    The best varieties of turf for hedges in partial shade

    For a budget hedge, the usual species turf white with solid green foliage and purple shoots, which can be easily propagated by cuttings, is best suited.

    Of the varietal sods, "Elegantissima" sod grows the fastest, it will allow you to create a fence faster, but at the same time it will require more frequent mowing. nine0003

    Outwardly similar varieties with a white border of leaves "Sibirika Variegata" and "Ivory halo" grow a little slower. Variety "Shpeti" is distinguished by a golden border of leaves.

    To create a particularly interesting effect in winter, cultivars with purple branches can be supplemented with turf Flaviramea , which has an expressive bright green bark.

    Benefits of turf hedge

    Disadvantages of derain hedges

    Spiraea - full bloom, minimal maintenance

    Spirea is a flowering shrub. In the month of May, the plant dresses in an openwork snow-white outfit of small fragrant flowers with the smell of honey. Spireas blooming in spring, as a rule, are tall plants (up to 2.5 meters), having a sprawling bush shape and medium-sized leaves.

    The less spirea is sheared, the more abundant it blooms

    With regular shearing, the green backstage of spirea turns out to be quite dense, like real walls. Nevertheless, the plantations have an elegant appearance and, thanks to the small foliage, look openwork and weightless. nine0003

    Planting and maintenance of a spirea hedge

    Plant spirea at the age of two at intervals of 40-50 cm. Formation of a hedge can be started already in the first year. Features of cutting spirea depend on whether the plants belong to the group of spring-flowering or summer-flowering.

    Spiraea varieties that bloom in spring, unlike those that bloom in summer, flower buds are formed only on last year's shoots, so they can be cut only after flowering is over. Mowing in early spring will result in the plants not blooming that season. nine0003

    By the way, the spirea hedge, which is cut too often and intensively, usually blooms very sparsely or does not bloom at all. Therefore, it is important to choose what is more important for the gardener - a strict form or white fragrant flowers.

    The first cut is carried out in June after the plants have completely faded. With formative pruning, they cut quite intensively, giving the green wall the necessary shape. Further, in the middle of summer, a correction is carried out as the shoots grow (several times per season). nine0003

    The first cutting of summer-flowering spireas is carried out in spring (April-May). In culture, spirea is unpretentious and does not require any special care.

    The best varieties of spirea for hedges in partial shade

    Most often, spireas are planted in the sun, but some species will do well in partial shade. First of all, this applies to varieties with green leaves that bloom in spring ( spirea agruta , vangutta , thunberga , three-bladed , gray etc.).

    Many types of spirea quickly lose their natural arched shape during formation and grow vertically upwards. Of the summer-flowering spireas, tall species ( Billard's spirea , loose-leaved , Douglas ) blooming with pink flowers can also be selected as hedges.

    Thunberg Spiraea grows well in partial shade. © Sera Ipotesti

    Advantages of a spirea hedge

    Spirea hedge disadvantages

    Privet - for strict hedges in partial shade

    An unpretentious semi-evergreen shrub that is easy to cut in all directions. With the onset of autumn, its foliage falls only partially, and some of the surviving leaves remain on the plant throughout the winter, making the hedge visually denser in comparison with a deciduous hedge. In addition, in the off-season, the shrub is decorated with medium-sized rounded tar-colored berries.

    Privet is a shrub that can be cut into any shape. © Babij

    There are two types of privet as ornamental plants in gardens – common privet and oval-leaved privet . The height of the first is more than 3 meters and the bush is more sparse, dense leathery leaves are slightly pointed at the ends. Privet with oval leaves has more decorative rounded leaves that are better preserved in winter, they are shorter.

    Both species bloom with medium-sized white flowers with a pleasant aroma (in early summer, in June-July). Privet grows relatively quickly and takes root very easily, so planting material can be grown independently from cuttings. nine0003

    Common privet also has a variety 'Aurea' with unusual bright yellow foliage. But this cultivar will show itself in all its glory only in the bright sun, and when creating a hedge in partial shade, you should be prepared for the fact that the color of the leaves becomes greenish.

    Planting and maintenance of privet hedge

    Young plants are planted in 30-45 cm increments to create a dense hedge. when planting in moist soil and with regular watering. nine0003

    Privet does not tolerate stagnant water, so for planting it is better to avoid lowlands where standing melt water is observed, and drainage should be done at the bottom of the planting pit to avoid stagnant moisture in the root zone. Privet grows well in loose, well-drained soils.

    It is recommended to form a privet hedge not in the form of a rectangle, but in the form of a truncated cone, expanding at the bottom. This shape of the living wall avoids the exposure of the lower branches due to insufficient lighting. nine0003

    For shearing, it is better to use a lopper or secateurs. For the first time after planting, more than half of the young growth is pruned, and in subsequent years, if necessary, young branches are cut already by 70% of the length.

    As a result, branching increases significantly, increasing the density of the bush, however, such a haircut reduces the intensity of flowering. The first sanitary haircut to remove shoots damaged in winter is carried out in the spring, and they resort to formative pruning several times a season. Regular shearing maintains the shape and height of the hedge. It is better to do this 2 times a year - in May and August. nine0003 Oval-leaved privet has decorative rounded leaves that are well preserved in winter. © Sandra Richard

    Benefits of a privet hedge

    Disadvantages of a privet hedge

    Viburnum pride — not affected by aphids

    Common viburnum — a bright shrub with clusters of coral berries and lobed foliage similar to maple leaves, is well known to people even far from gardening. But to create a hedge, another type of this plant is much more suitable - viburnum pride .

    Viburnum pride is excellent for creating a hedge in partial shade. © James M

    This variety is a dense shrub up to four meters high with a dense but compact crown. This species differs from the common viburnum in large pubescent leaves covered with white hairs that give the impression of velvet.

    Viburnum pride blooms profusely in May-June with white inflorescences-caps, after which attractive bright red and black berries are tied on the bushes. The main advantage of this culture over viburnum vulgaris is that this shrub is not affected by aphids. nine0003

    Planting a viburnum gordovin hedge and care

    In order to create a hedge, 2-3 year old plants are planted at a distance of 30-40 centimeters from each other. Kalina pride loves fertile, well-moistened soils. Therefore, in a drought, she will need watering, even after the plants take root well.

    In the second year at the beginning of summer, the young growth can be cut back to 2-3 knots to increase the branching of the bush. Further, the formation of a hedge from viburnum pride will consist in removing too thick old shoots. In young stems, only the tops are pinched. nine0003

    This type of viburnum is most suitable for making a free-growing screen and should be trimmed as little as possible. In plants with such large leaves and thick stems, a strong excessive haircut will not look quite harmonious. The total life expectancy of a shrub is long (about 60 years), so such a fence will perform its function for many years.

    Advantages of viburnum hedge

    Disadvantages of viburnum hedge

    After the flowering of viburnum pride, attractive bright berries of red and black color are tied on the bushes. © Oregon State University

    Other Hedge Shrubs in Part Shade

    A low hedge up to 1 meter high in a semi-shaded location also works well common snowberry . At the same time, some varieties do not form the usual white, but very unusual pink berries. In care and pruning principles, the snowberry resembles a spirea. It can be cut regularly or left to grow freely. In the latter case, much more attractive berries will be tied.

    Tall varieties barberry ( common, thunberga, Ottawa ) and vesicle are often used to create green fences in shady conditions. However, it should be borne in mind that such plants will not develop successfully in dense shade, and in partial shade, varieties with brightly colored foliage (purple, yellow, two-tone) with a lack of sunlight will lose their intensity and become almost green.

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