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Evergreen shrubs that like shade


Evergreen Shrubs For Shade (That Look Good All Year)

Whether you are looking for foundation shrubs, bushes to plant in your front yard or plants to use for a hedge, this list of evergreen shrubs for shade will give you some inspiration. Between their foliage that stays green all year round and the beautiful flowers, they’re a great alternative to deciduous shrubs in your shade garden.

When you’re planning a garden, bushes are the plants that add form and structure to your flower beds.

With their branches and size, they make great foundation plants, provide the backbone of garden beds and can create a privacy screen or hedge for your yard.

If you want your bushes to keep their look all year round, then evergreen shrubs are the way to go.

And if you need them to grow in the shade, then this list of bushes will help.

If you need bushes for sun, you can find our list of evergreen shrubs for full sun HERE.

1 | Rhododendron

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Zones: 3 to 9
Light: Shade to Part Shade
Bloom Time: Spring
Height: 2′ to 12′ (depending on the variety)
Spread: 3′ to 12′

Rhododendrons are a beautiful flowering evergreen bush with deep green foliage and gorgeous spring blooms.

To grow healthy Rhododendrons, plant them in acidic soil, keep them well watered and provide a layer of mulch to keep the roots cool.

Rhododendron flowers come in a wide range of colors that bloom from early to late spring depending on the variety. So if you plant a few of them, you can have flowers all spring.

‘PJM’ is a compact variety that is covered in blooms, and it’s one of the only deer-resistant Rhododendrons.

You can buy it HERE.*

Rhododendron ‘Yaku Prince’

‘Raku Prince’ is another small plant but it has beautiful two-toned pink and white flowers.

You can buy it HERE.*

With so much variety to choose from, it’s hard to have only one!

Click HERE for some tips on growing Rhododendrons.

Find more Rhododendrons to buy HERE.*

2 | Azalea

Zones: 2 to 9
Light: Part Shade to Sun (depending on the variety)
Bloom Time: Spring, some re-bloom in the Fall
Height: 2′ to 6′ tall
Spread: 2′ to 4′ wide

Azaleas are part of the Rhododendron family so they have very similar characteristics.

They like acidic soil, many are evergreens, most are shade loving shrubs and they have very pretty blooms in the spring.

However, there are some varieties that prefer the sun and are deciduous so if you’re looking for evergreen shrubs for shade, make sure you buy the right variety.

Find some more of my favorite Azalea and Rhododendron varieties HERE.

Buy Azaleas HERE.*

3 | Camellia

Camellia ‘Debutante’

Zones: 6 – 10
Light: Part Shade to Shade
Bloom Time: Fall, Winter, or Spring (depending on the variety)
Height: 18″ to 25′ tall
Spread: 18″ to 8′ wide

Camellias are an easy-to-grow bush (or small tree if you cut off the lower branches as they grow) with dark green, evergreen leaves.

Besides their gorgeous flowers, the big claim to fame for Camellias is that they flower when most other plants are dormant: Anytime between the end of October and the beginning of May, depending on the variety.

Be sure to check the bloom time when you are buying the plant as it varies considerably between cultivars.

Camellia japonica ‘April Remembered’

It does take them a couple of years to get going after they have been planted, but once established, they are covered in blooms.

Find out more about growing Camellias HERE.

Buy Camellias HERE.*

4 | Chinese Fringe Flower (Loropetalum Chinense)

Zones: 7 to 10
Light: Part Shade to Sun
Bloom Time: Spring
Height: 3′ to 10′ (depending on the variety)
Spread: 3′ to 8′

Chinese Fringe Flower (Loropetalum chinense) is a fast-growing evergreen shrub that produces lots of flowers in the spring and then scattered blooms through the rest of the season.

There are two types of this shrub – one with white flowers and green leaves, and another with pink flowers and purple leaves that turn green as they mature (my favorite!)

Although the literature says it prefers part to full sun, I have two Chinese fringe flower bushes growing in the shade and they are both doing very well.

Plant Chinese fringe flower in acidic soil and prune after the spring flowers have faded to control the size.

5 | Daphne

Zones: 5 to 10
Light: Shade to Part Shade
Bloom Time: Late Winter to Early Spring
Height: 3′ to 5′
Spread: 3′ to 5′

Daphne is a compact, shade-loving, deer-resistant shrub with very fragrant pink or white blooms.

Most varieties have evergreen leaves and produce flowers in late winter or early spring.

Some even have variegated leaves, which provides a little more interest when they aren’t blooming.

It can be a little tricky to get started. But keeping the plant well-watered, applying a generous layer of mulch in the spring, and pruning out the old wood once a year will help keep it alive and well.

And once it is established, Daphne is a very low maintenance bush.

Click HERE to find out more about Daphne. 

Buy Daphne HERE.*

6 | Gardenia

Zones: 6 to 11
Light: Shade to Part Shade
Bloom Time: Late spring to early fall
Height: 2′ to 8′ (depending on the variety)
Spread: 4′ to 5′

Gardenia is a small to medium-sized evergreen shrub with beautiful white flowers that fill the air with their perfume in late spring or early summer.

And with their shiny leaves, they even look good in the winter!

They like humid weather (which is perfect for the South) but don’t do well with cold winters, so you may have to grow them in pots and bring them in if you live further North.

To make the most of their fragrance, I like to plant them close to the door and walkway.

That way anytime I leave the house, I walk right by them and can’t help but smell their perfume.

Learn more about them HERE.

7 | Magnolia

Zones: 4 to 12
Light: Part Shade to Sun
Bloom Time: Late Winter, Spring or Summer (depending on the variety)
Height: 10′ to 65′ tall
Spread: 10′ to 65′ wide

In the South, people tend to think of Magnolias as the very large shrubs (or trees) with glossy, evergreen leaves and huge creamy white flowers that bloom in the spring to summer. (They will grow in part shade or sun).

However, there are many different types of Magnolias that will thrive from the colder areas of zone 4 all the way through the tropical heat of zone 12.

Some bloom in late winter, some in the spring, and some in the summer.

Many are fragrant and all have beautiful flowers.

Some Magnolias are deciduous or semi-evergreen (meaning they’re evergreen in warmer zones but not colder ones) so if you’re looking for an evergreen bush, make sure to check the variety you’re buying.

Click HERE to find out more about Magnolias.

Buy them HERE.*

8 | Mountain Laurel

©Gerry – stock.adobe.com

Zones: 3 – 11
Light: Full shade to Part Sun
Bloom Time: Late Spring to Early Summer
Height: 3′ to 12′ (depending on the variety)
Spread: 3′ to 12′

Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) is a native North American bush that has beautiful white or pink flowers in the late spring or early summer.

It’s evergreen, thrives in the shade and is easy to grow. All characteristics I love to use in my garden!

It is another one of the evergreens for shade that requires acidic soil, sheltered conditions, and mulch to keep the soil evenly moist.

But is generally low maintenance and disease-resistant.

Find out more about Mountain Laurel HERE.

Buy Mountain Laurel HERE.*

9 | Pieris Japonica

© PATARA – stock.adobe.com

Zones: 5 to 8
Light: Shade to Part Shade
Bloom Time: Early spring
Height: 3′ to 10′ (depending on the variety)
Spread: 3′ to 10′

Pieris Japonica is a shade-tolerant, deer-resistant, evergreen, flowering shrub that has pendant-like flowers in early spring.

Pieris Japonica ‘Red Head’

In addition to the pretty blooms, this shrub puts on a show with its leaves that start out red, then change to pink and cream before becoming lime green. Which helps to add interest to your garden all year round.

It likes acidic sandy soil which is characteristic of many of the shrubs that grow well in shade.

Pieris can be toxic to pets, so if you have a dog that likes to chew on your plants, you may want to be careful about planting this.

Learn more about growing Pieris Japonica HERE.

Buy Pieris Japonica HERE*.

10 | Spotted Laurel (Aucuba Japonica)

Aucuba japonica ‘gold dust’ ©simona – stock.adobe.com

Zones: 7 to 9
Light: Shade
Bloom Time: Foliage Only
Height: 6′ to 10′
Spread: 6′ to 10′

Spotted Laurel (Aucuba japonica) is a broad leaf evergreen bush that makes a great hedge or back-of-the-border shrub in the shade.

It produces clusters of maroon flowers in the spring that turn into bright red berries if you have both a male and female version planted together.

But most people grow it because of its beautiful foliage.

Even without the flowers and berries, this shrub’s gorgeous green and yellow leaves add interest to your shade garden.

Find out more about Aucuba HERE.

Buy it HERE.*

11 | Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)

Zones: 4 to 9
Light: Shade to Sun
Bloom Time: Spring
Height: 2′ to 4′ as a shrub; up to 60′ as a vine
Spread: 4′ to 10′

Wintercreeper (Eonymus fortunei) is a broadleaf evergreen shrub for shade that can also be grown as a ground cover or a vine.

With it’s variegated leaves that take on a pink tint in the winter, wintercreeper adds interest to your garden all year round.

It has insignificant greenish-white flowers in the spring but is usually grown for its foliage.

Euonymus fortunei is very easy to grow, tolerating drought and pretty much any kind of soil except bog conditions.

It requires pruning to maintain its size and shape since it can become invasive if left to its own devices.

Buy it HERE.*

12 | Yews (Taxus)

Yew

Zones: 4 to 9
Light: Part Shade
Bloom Time: Foliage Only
Height: 1′ to 25′ (depending on the variety)
Spread: 3′ to 25′

Yews (Taxus) are very reliable drought-tolerant evergreens for shade that have inch long needles and red berries in the fall.

Unlike conifers, they don’t mind being pruned, so their size and shape can be easily maintained.

If you don’t want to do diligent pruning, avoid ‘Hills’,’ Hicks’, and ‘Browns’ yews because they grow too large for a border.

It should be noted that the berries and needles are poisonous to humans and animals.

Taxus x media ‘Tauntonii’ is a dwarf yew that is perfect: it grows slowly, is very tidy and has a very dark green hue.

Evergreen Yew “Emerald Spreader”

Taxus cuspidate ‘emerald spreader’ is another good bright green choice that gets denser if pruned annually.

Buy Yews HERE.*

13 | Boxwood (Buxus)

© wjarek – stock.adobe.com

Zones: 4 to 10
Light: Full Sun to Full Shade
Bloom Time: Foliage only
Height: 1′ to 12′ (depending on the variety)
Spread: 2′ to 8′

Boxwood (Buxus) is a slow growing shrub with small evergreen leaves that thrives in the shade or the sun. Which makes it a great option for a hedge since it doesn’t require even lighting.

We most often associate Boxwood with clipped hedges and balls in formal gardens.

However, it is such an easy plant to grow (and also deer-resistant), that I think it deserves a place in any kind of garden border.

Adequate water, 3 inches of mulch and annual pruning to keep its shape take care of its maintenance needs.

Buy Boxwood HERE.*

14 | Anise (Illicium Parviflorum)

©Arsgera – stock.adobe.com

Zones: 7 to 10
Light: Shade to Part Shade
Bloom Time: Spring
Height: 5′ to 15′
Spread: 5′ to 10′

Anise (Illicium parviflorum) is an evergreen native plant that produces insignificant yellow-green flowers in the spring. But it is mostly grown for the color of its foliage.

With its heat resistance, yellow-green leaves and small star-shaped fruit, this shrub is a stand out in the Southern shade garden.

It is an easy to care for bush that likes moist soil but will tolerate some drought once established.

Find out more about Anise HERE.

Buy it HERE.*

Other Plants You Might Like

Have comments or questions about these evergreen shrubs for shade? Tell us in the section below.

This post was originally published on February 12, 2021 but was updated with new content on February 20, 2023.


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Evergreen Shrubs For Shade | Top 17 Choices

February 8, 2022 Jill Raver
Filed in: Shrub Information

Looking for an evergreen shrub to put in that shady spot in your yard? Here is the list for you! We are here to make your life a little easier with plants that offer year-round beauty even in shady spots. Read on to learn all about Evergreen Shrubs for Shade!

We have a selection of evergreen shrubs that will tolerate full shade. Everything else will need at least a couple hours of sun, but keep in mind even dappled sun shooting through tree canopies qualifies as part shade so don’t fret. Your shady spot probably isn’t as hopeless as you think! Explore the top choices in our online plant nursery for shade loving shrubs.

Growing Zones: 5-9

The popular American Boxwood is sure to transform your home and garden. This trusted landscape standard provides year-round color, texture, and beauty. Reaching over 10 feet tall and 8 feet wide at maturity this is one of the few large boxwoods. Plant about 6 feet apart for a superb privacy screen.

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Growing Zones: 5-9

The Baby Gem Boxwood is a dwarf evergreen shrub with huge appeal. This boxwood is disease resistant and perfect for containers.

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Growing Zones: 7-10

The distylium is an exciting, new broadleaf evergreen that flowers throughout winter. Reaching about 4 feet tall and wide at maturity the Blue Cascade makes an excellent choice for foundation plantings.

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Growing Zones: 6-9

This holly is a small no maintenance evergreen shrub that can be used anywhere in the landscape. With a mature size of 2-3 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide, Carissa hollies make an excellent low growing hedge.

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Growing Zones: 5-9

The Dwarf Burfordi Holly is perfect for coastal areas and warmer regions of the country. This hardy holly is pest, disease, deer, and rabbit resistant as well as pollution and salt tolerant. With a naturally rounded shape and moderate size of 5 to 6 feet wide and tall at maturity this evergreen works in just about any type of landscape. The Dwarf Burford Holly make gorgeous evergreen bushes.

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Growing Zones: 6-10

The Flirt Nandina is the smallest nandina out there. At only 1 to 2 feet tall and wide this nandina can fit anywhere and is even great for containers. You'll love this plant as a vibrant border. With red, purples, and greens the dwarf Flirt Nandina offers a color punch that is hard to beat.

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Growing Zones: 5-9

The Green Velvet Boxwood is a dream come true for urban yards! Sculpt away or leave this evergreen shrub alone depending on the look you want. These evergreen shrubs are disease resistant.

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Growing Zones: 6-9

The Variegated Boxwood has creamy white and green leaves. These make great small shrubs for shade adding color to borders and layering the landscape.

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Growing Zones: 7-9

The evergreen Vintage Jade® Distylium is new to the plant scene and it is already a huge hit! This hardy, yet graceful evergreen shrub will transform your landscape with its lush texture, outstanding color, and unsurpassed year-round interest. This distylium is a low growing spreader that grows to 2 to 3 feet tall and 5 feet wide at maturity.

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Growing Zones: 5-8

Its year-round, bright green foliage and compact size and shape make the Wintergreen Boxwood a great option for adding some pizazz to any size yard. This evergreen shrubs are stunners in containers too. We like the Wintergreen because it is able to stand up to extremes better than the more common boxwood varieties that tend to turn yellow and brown throughout winter.

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The Following Shrubs Tolerate Full Shade

Growing Zones: 7-10

With golden yellow spots on shiny green leaves these shade loving evergreen shrubs are quite unique. This heat lover gives an almost tropical feel and even works well in containers as a houseplant. These evergreen shrubs reach up to 8 feet tall at maturity and 5 to 6 feet wide.

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Growing Zones: 5-9

This boxwood has a unique conical shape. In addition to tolerating heavy shade, the Green Mountain boxwood is pest, disease, and deer resistant.

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Growing Zones: 3-7

Hick's Yews are a perfect privacy screen or hedge for cooler regions. Dense foliage and attractive, red berries welcome birds. This unique evergreen shrub is extremely low maintenance and among top choices when considering what are the best bushes for shade.

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Growing Zones: 6-9

The Japanese Plum Yew has lush, evergreen foliage that looks like miniature palm fronds. This low maintenance shrub is lovely as a specimen. The Plum Yew is a great hedge plant. This yew is deer resistant and heat tolerant.

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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.

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:

  • 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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Shade-loving perennial garden shrubs, photos and names

    It happens that on the territory of a dacha or garden area there are shaded places. And yet there are not so many well-lit places. The reasons for the fact that there are many shaded places on the site can be very different. So, for example, shrubs and trees grow on it in large numbers. They, of course, give delicious fruits and berries, but they take up a lot of space and cast a rather voluminous shadow. Therefore, the plants growing under them are almost completely devoid of sunlight. However, few summer residents do not want the entire summer cottage to be beautiful and originally designed. The way out of this situation is very simple. So, in shady places, you only need to plant shade-loving perennial shrubs for the garden.

    Content

    How to choose shade-tolerant shrubs for the garden

    Shade-tolerant perennial shrubs are conditionally divided into 3 different groups, namely: berry, flowering, and decorative foliage. Each of these plants has both certain pluses and minuses. And there are also such types of shrubs that not only look very impressive, but also give useful, fragrant and incredibly tasty fruits. Experienced gardeners and summer residents categorically do not recommend buying planting material in spontaneous markets, as there is a high probability that it will be of very low quality. It is best to purchase seedlings in special stores that have a good reputation. Among the various types of shrubs, the most popular and common can be distinguished.

    Shade-tolerant flowering shrubs

    Rhododendron

    Such a shrub has a very spectacular appearance, especially during the flowering period, when it is almost completely covered with inflorescences consisting of flowers of a rich color. Its leaf blades are fleshy. Rhododendron thrives in the shading created by tall trees and shrubs, in which many other plants can simply die.

    Garden jasmine

    This shrub is very popular with gardeners and summer residents. Such a very beautiful plant will be an excellent decoration for almost any site. Jasmine looks especially impressive in the process of flowering. At this time, its branches are covered with snow-white lush inflorescences, from which a very pleasant and rather strong smell emanates. An important advantage of such a shrub is its undemanding to the place of growth, as well as to the quality of the soil. Garden jasmine can adapt to absolutely any growing conditions. So, he perfectly withstands dry periods, and he is also not afraid of quite frosty winters. However, in order for your site to be decorated with a compact and neat bush, it will need to be cut systematically and often enough.

    Shade-tolerant berry bushes

    Such perennial plants are suitable for those gardeners and summer residents who want the plants grown by them to be not only very beautiful, but also bring certain benefits.

    Barberry

    This shrub is quite popular in Eastern countries. It is fast growing and frost resistant. It is quite easy to care for him, and he also tolerates a dry period perfectly. Such a shrub has small, very beautiful leaf plates, which in the fall change their green color to rich burgundy. The barberry grows berries with high palatability. They are used in cooking to prepare a variety of dishes.

    Gooseberry

    It can grow in both sunny and shaded places. And such a shrub needs to be watered quite rarely and moderately, while it can withstand a dry period. Very tasty berries grow on the plant, which are often used to make jam.

    Hazel

    This plant prefers to grow only on non-acid soil. If the soil is acidic, then it is recommended to add sand to it. Quite tasty nuts grow on hazel.

    Shade-tolerant ornamental foliage plants

    This group includes many plants. Here are some of them.

    Forsythia

    This plant has showy leaves of intense lemon color. It can be planted both together with other shrubs, and singly. It is frost- and drought-resistant, and also unpretentious in care.

    Euonymus

    This shrub grows very fast and does not require special care. In winter, it also looks quite impressive.

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