Home » Misc » Large shade shrubs

Large shade shrubs


Best shrubs for shade: 13 options for full or partial shade

There are many choices of shrubs for shade that thrive in full or part shade so you don't need to ignore darker borders and corners of the garden and relegate them to storage areas, but instead you can make the most of them by adding interest and color through considered planting. 

The best shade plants can offer changeable interest throughout the year, and working with shifting levels of light and shade is something that every gardener needs to learn and understand.

Instead of seeing shady backyards as a challenge, discover the potential you have to create wonderful contrasts as part of your backyard ideas. White or pale flowers and golden or silvered variegated leaves juxtaposed with darker green foliage and shade, create the effect of light among the shadows, one of the dramatic planting possibilities for white garden ideas.

Best shrubs for shade

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The deciduous or evergreen shrubs you choose for shady spots will differ depending on the type of shade you have in your backyard – so study its patterns at different times of day through the seasons.  Smaller spaces might be in shade throughout the day; other backyards might only be in shade for part of the day, so the shrubs might have to be sun-tolerant, too. Decide whether areas are in light, semi, dappled or deep shade. For woodland areas, there are many woodland plants that are suited to the specific conditions under trees.

'The main thing about planting shrubs for shade is whether the specific plant is a full shade or partial shade loving plant,' explains Fiona Martin of Burncoose Nurseries .

‘Some shade-loving shrubs, such as the evergreen silk tassel bush, don’t like to be in deep shade, whereas others like Fatsia japonica can cope with full shade,’ explains award-winning garden designer Jonathan Snow .

Then assess the soil. 'Does the area have dry soil or wet soil and compare this to the soil requirements for the chosen shrub,' adds Fiona.

Below, we bring you the best shrubs for shade, and explain which type of shade they will enjoy.

1.

Best shrubs for shade for small gardens

(Image credit: Getty Images)

With a wide range of species, both deciduous and evergreen, which flower at different times, daphne offer lots of variety and the blooms have a powerful fragrance. 

They grow well in partial shade and are not large shrubs so are also well suited to shady spots in small gardens.

There are many varieties of daphne that flower in winter, adding much needed color as a winter garden idea, while others flower in spring or summer.

2. Best shrubs for shade for winter interest

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

Witch hazel, or hamamelis, is a tall flowering shrub that will add some welcome color to your backyard in winter in areas of partial shade.

A early bloomer, the fragrant flowers on this shrub for shade appear from December through to early spring depending on the hardiness zone where you live. 

'It has distinctive spider-like flowers in shades of yellow, red and orange,' explain the experts at Hillier garden centers.

Witch hazel needs to be pruned regularly to keep it in check otherwise it can grow a little unruly. For the most economic option, plant them bare root in fall.

3. Best shrub for shade for hedging

(Image credit: Future / Rowan Isaac)

Great to plant in a shady spot for a privacy hedge, yew, or Taxus baccata, is an enduringly popular choice and it is easy to see why. It will grow happily in many locations – from full shade to full sun – is a dense and quick grower, and can live for many, many years.

This shrub for shade works brilliantly as a backdrop to white flowers in a shady corner, and can be clipped into beautiful shapes and lines.

4. Best shrubs for shade for late summer blooms

(Image credit: Future)

Hydrangeas are well known and loved and there are many varieties to choose from that will cope well in a shady position. They are also one of the best flowering shrubs.

'Hydrangea aspera ‘Villosa Group’ is my favorite hydrangea with its large pointed velvet leaves and late summer blue flowers. It can also be grown on chalk,’ explains Jonathan. 

The deciduous shrub does well in partial shade, but learn how to prune hydrangeas to keep them flowering well and stop them becoming scruffy and unkempt.

5. Best shrubs for shade with fragrant flowers

(Image credit: RHS/ Anna Brockman)

Shade loving plants often have the most fragrant blooms, as if the plants are trying to compensate for their lack of sunshine and color, so are ideal for sensory garden ideas.

'Sarcococca hookeriana ‘winter gem’, also known as sweet box, has attractive, evergreen glossy leaves and highly fragrant white late winter flowers and berries,' explains Fiona Martin.

The dwarf shrub will tolerate full shade and brighten up dull corners where little else will grow. 

'It is tough and tolerant of most conditions,' advise the experts at RHS Plants .

6. Best shrub for shade with bright flowers

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Mahonia repens is a frost hardy dwarf evergreen shrub that tolerates full to part shade.  

‘It’s main attraction, though, is its dark yellow racemes of upright flowers in mid to late spring, followed by blue-black berries. Shrubs with lighter color flowers can really brighten up a shady area, especially white and yellow flowers,' says Fiona Martin.

Fully frost hardy, these low growing mahonias, which typically only grow to one or two feet in height, can be used for ground cover.

7. Best low maintenance shrub for shade

(Image credit: Getty Images)

'Fatsia japonica can cope with full shade as well as a bit of sun, and a fair amount of general neglect, too,' explains Jonathan, so it is a good choice if you're looking for low maintenance shrubs or fast growing shrubs for shade.

'It has architectural, evergreen leaves, and striking panicles of spherical, creamy white flowers in fall, which are often followed by round, black fruit in winter,’ adds Jonathan.

Both the flowers and berries are a valuable food source for beneficial insects, especially as they are produced in the middle of winter when not much else is on offer, so are also great for adding to planting plans for wildlife garden ideas.

8. Best shrubs for shade with variegated leaves

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Aucuba japonica ‘crotonifolia’, also known as Japanese or spotted laurel, can grow in partial or full shade. 

‘The rounded shrub has spotted, variegated leaves and produces bright red berries in fall,’ explains Fiona. They like moist, well-drained soil.

Partial shade is best for more pronounced variegation of this pretty evergreen plant, which can provide a lovely backdrop in a shady corner of a backyard.

'Aucubas may not be the most standout plants, but they make a very effective and dense windbreak and can tolerate high, salt-laden winds,' explains Fiona, so are a  good option for exposed and coastal gardens. 

Growing up to 15 feet tall, they are also good for use as fast growing hedges.

9. Best long living shrubs for shade

(Image credit: Crocus)

For some classic, traditional blooms, you can't get much better than long lasting and low maintenance camellias as shrubs for shade – which we think are among the best shrubs for the front of the house.

'One of my favorites is Camellia sasanqua. I find this fall flowering camellia so much more delicate, in leaf and flower, than its blousy spring cousins,’ says Jonathan. 

If you are growing camellias they prefer moist, rich, acidic soil and thrive in full to partial shade. To maximize their flowering potential, learn how to prune camellias and you will be rewarded with their beautiful blooms for many years.

'This camellia makes a handsome stand-alone specimen, but it can also be used to make a dense, informal screen,' advise the experts at Crocus .

10. Best easy to grow shrub for shade

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Silk tassel bush or Garrya elliptica is known for its showy cascading flowers or catkins in winter or early spring.

A native to the coastal ranges in California and Oregon, 'this easy to grow evergreen shrub will grow in most soil types, but prefers to be out of the wind, and not in deep shade,' advises Jonathan.  

It makes a striking backdrop to many other plants and grows well in partial shade.

11. Best large shrubs for shade

(Image credit: Gina Kelly / Alamy Stock Photo)

Woodland plants, rhododendrons grow well in dappled shade.

Suited to USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8, these large growing evergreens flower from spring through to summer filling shady spots in the garden with colors ranging from deep red through to white.

It is easy to learn how to grow rhododendrons. 'Rhododendron ‘Cunninghams White’, is a reliable, free flowering rhododendron with mauve buds that open to white flowers with a pale yellow center in spring,' explains Jonathan 

'It can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, unlike most rhododendrons that prefer acidic soil,' he adds.

Pruning rhododendrons will keep them well shaped and blooming well.

12. Best shrub for shade with changing leaf color

(Image credit: Alamy)

A great choice for privacy and screening in a backyard, photinia grows well in partial shade and is a low maintenance shrub.

Some varieties have lovely changing foliage color in spring and fall, such as Photinia x fraseri 'Red Robin', which produces bright red new leaves.

They tolerate most soil types, although will cope best with moist, fertile soil with plenty of organic matter added in.

13. Best climbing shrubs for shade

(Image credit: Getty Images)

If you are looking to cover walls or other vertical structures in a shady corner then Euonymous fortunei is an excellent choice and a good courtyard garden idea for making the most of space available by growing vertically.

Some varieties of these evergreen climbers also have lovely variegated leaves, to bring light and golden accents into a dark space, such as ‘Emerald n Gold’ with its golden variegated leaves.

It copes well in dappled and partial shade.

What evergreen is best for shade?

There are many evergreens that are best for shade, advises Fiona Martin of Burncoose.

These range from Aucuba japonica and some camellias, to common laurel and English yew, to name but a few.

The key is to always do your research before buying a shrub for shade and 'check that the specific plant is a full shade loving shrub,' adds Fiona.

(Image credit: Annaick Guitteny)

Do hydrangeas like sun or shade?

Hydrangeas do tolerate some shade, but to flourish they should also enjoy a bit of – ideally morning – sun.

They will not do well in full shade, however, so get to grips with how to grow them and what to plant with hydrangeas so that you get the best from these stunning shrubs for shade.

Can azaleas grow in shade?

If you are growing azaleas, they will cope well with dappled shade, such as along a woodland border, but will struggle in full shade.

Evergreen varieties in particular prefer a shady spot as full sun can scorch their flowers.

Flowering Shrubs for Shade - Top Picks for the Yard & Garden

If you’re a gardener or homeowner with a lot of shade on your property, you may find yourself struggling to find plants that thrive and bloom with minimal sunlight, especially when it comes to shrubs. While there are many colorful flowering perennials and annuals for shade, there are far fewer shrubs with vivid blooms for shady conditions. Today, I’d like to introduce you to 16 flowering shrubs for shade to fill your landscape with color from early spring through fall. There’s even a shrub for shade that blooms in the winter on this list!

16 Flowering Shrubs for ShadeThe large, conical flowers of oakleaf hydrangea appear in summer.

Oakleaf hydrangea (

Hydrangea quercifolia)

A wide-spreading, 6-foot-tall, North American native shrub for shade, oakleaf hydrangea deserves a home in every shady landscape. Even in the winter the peeling bark of the oakleaf hydrangea is deserving of our attention. The large, oak leaf-like leaves turn an amazing orange and then a deep burgundy in the autumn. Large, cone-shaped panicles of creamy white flowers are produced from the woody stems in summer. The merits of this shrub for shade cannot be stressed enough. It’s a personal favorite for its four-season interest. Hardy in garden zones down to -20 degrees F.

Japanese kerria (

Kerria japonica)

Kerria is a small genus of underused flowering shrubs for shade (or sun!). The plants have bright green stems and leaves, and sunny yellow flowers. These shrubs are very tolerant of shade and poor soil. Thin out the old stems every few years by cutting them back to the ground just after the plant flowers. Kerrias are prolific bloomers that reach a height of 6 feet. The inch-wide flowers are produced in spring. The cultivar ‘Pleniflora’ has double flowers and a taller, more vigorous growth habit.

Mountain laurels are stunning evergreen flowering shrubs for shade. Plus, they’re deer resistant!

Mountain laurel (

Kalmia latifolia)

Laurels are evergreen flowering shrubs for shade that are native to the eastern U.S. The leaves are smooth-edged and glossy, dark green. The large clusters of tea cup-shaped flowers are absolutely stunning (albeit a little sticky). They appear on the plants in late spring and can be purple, pink, white, or bicolored. This woodland flowering shrub is hardy to -30 degrees F and has many different cultivars. Spreads 5 to 15 feet tall and wide, and has a rounded, yet open shape. Choose a shady location for this shrub, and make sure the soil is acidic by fertilizing with a granular, acid-specific fertilizer annually.

Slender deutzia offers arching branches of white flowers every spring.

Slender deutzia (

Deutzia gracilis)

These spring-blooming flowering shrubs for shade are deciduous and vase-shaped. They’re easy to grow in average garden soil and require very little care. Topping out at around 5 feet tall, they can be kept smaller by pruning them just after they bloom. The prolific flowers are pure white and nearly an inch wide. Each five-petaled flower lasts for several weeks. Slender deutzia is hardy to -20 degrees F. Though deutzia flowers best in areas that receive full sun, this shrub is quite tolerant of partial to moderate shade, though dense shade should be avoided. The dwarf cultivar ‘Yuki Cherry’ has pink petals for added interest.

The tubular, spring blooms of glossy abelia are a welcome sight to many spring pollinators.

Glossy abelia (

Abelia x grandiflora)

This semi-evergreen shrub grows between 3 to 6 feet tall and thrives in areas of full sun to moderate shade, though flowering is better where the plant receives at least a few hours of sun per day. The arching branches produce clusters of small, but showy, tubular flowers. The blooms are white with a blush of pink. This hybrid abelia is hardy to -10 degrees F and blooms in summer. This plant flowers on new growth, so it can easily be pruned back hard and still bloom in the very same season. The variety ‘Edward Goucher’ is a shorter selection that produces larger, lavender blooms. Hummingbirds adore this plant.

Winter-blooming witch hazel species have so much to offer shady spots in the landscape.

Witch hazel (

Hamamelis spp.)

There is nothing better than a witch hazel when it comes to surprises. Just when you think there’s nothing in bloom in the garden, the witch hazel struts its stuff! Among the only winter-flowering shrubs for shade, Vernal witch hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) pops out fringe-like yellow, rust, or red-colored blooms in the dead of winter. Chinese witch hazel (H. mollis) is another winter-blooming selection, while common witch hazel (H. virginiana) blooms in fall. Most witch hazels are hardy to -10 degrees, though some are hardier and others less so, depending on the species. Witch hazels are deciduous and easy to grow in ordinary garden soil, but moist areas are best. With a structure much like a small tree, these flowering shrubs for shade have an added bonus: the blooms of many varieties are also fragrant! Those seeking North American natives should plant common witch hazel or vernal witch hazel.

The fragrant, elongated blooms of Virginia sweet spire are followed by red foliage in the autumn.

Virginia sweetspire (

Itea virginica)

These North American native shade-loving shrubs bloom in summer and are hardy down to -20 degrees F. Long panicles of creamy white flowers drip from the stems in mid summer. While this shrub does well in full sun, it’s surprisingly tolerant of shade, too. The deciduous nature of the plant means there are no leaves on it during the winter, but in the fall, the foliage turns a deep red-purple that’s just stunning. It’s perfect for moist soil. The fragrant blooms are adored by many of our native pollinators. ‘Little Henry’ is a great dwarf variety.

Oregon holly grape (

Mahonia aquifolium)

The low-growing habit of these flowering shrubs for shade makes it a good fit for foundation plantings, garden beds, and shrub borders. Their evergreen leaves are compound, and the yellow, fragrant flowers are borne in long panicles. In the fall, the plant is covered in small, dark berries. Oregon holly grape prefers a shady spot that’s protected from winter winds. It reaches 6 feet in height and is hardy down to -20 degrees F.

When the pink buds of this Japanese pieris open, they’ll reveal clusters of tiny, bell-shaped, white flowers that smell sweet.

Japanese pieris/Andromeda (

Pieris japonica)

When I was a kid, we had a pair of Japanese pieris flanking our front walk. My mother called them “pierce-a-ponicas” which I though was their real name until I took a shrub ID class in college. Despite my mom’s mispronunciation of the name, I grew to really love these amazing flowering shrubs for shade. They’re deer resistant, evergreen with beautiful green leaves, and very winter hardy. Large clusters of slightly fragrant, white, bell-shaped blooms extend from the ends of the branches in early spring and are a favorite of queen bumble bees and other early pollinators. The plants grow to 10 feet in height, especially in protected sites where they’re sheltered from drying winter winds. Some cultivars, such as ‘Mountain Fire‘, have vivid red new growth in the spring, while other cultivars, such as ‘Dorothy Wycoff’ and ‘Flamingo’, have pink flowers instead of white.

Carolina allspice is a knock-your-socks-off flowering shrub for shady areas that produces sweet/spicy scented blooms.

Sweet shrub/Carolina allspice (

Calycanthus floiridis)

Oh how I love sweet shrubs! These medium sized, fragrant, gorgeous, North American native flowering shrubs for shade are so delightful. Topping out at 8 feet in height, this deciduous shrub produces uniquely shaped, dark purple-pink blossoms along the length of its stems. Spring blooming and perfect for sites that are anywhere from partial shade to full sun, Carolina sweet shrubs do best in well-draining soils, though they’ll do just fine in average garden soil as long as they’re irrigated during dry spells. They are a great alternative to the viburnum.

Smooth hydrangeas are reliable bloomers, even in shady conditions.

Smooth hydrangea (

Hydrangea arborescens)

Another North American native hydrangea for shade, the smooth hydrangea has so much to offer. With an upright but open shape and excellent winter hardiness (down to -20 degrees F), these flowering shrubs for shade produce globe-shaped clusters of creamy white blooms in high summer. Topping out around 4 feet tall, the straight species is lovely, but showier cultivars, such as ‘Annabelle’ and ‘Grandiflora’, produce larger blooms. Unlike many other hydrangea species, the flowers of smooth hydrangea are produced on new growth, so prune in the early spring and there’s no chance of cutting off the current season’s blooms. They are low-maintenance beauties for full or part shade.

Coralberries and snowberries aren’t known for their flowers, but their clusters of berries add a decorative element to shade gardens.

Coralberry/snowberry (

Symphoricarpus spp.)

Ok, so, I’m cheating a bit here. While coralberries and snowberries are flowering shrubs for shade, they’re much better known for their berries than they are for their flowers. These hardy, deciduous shrubs are North American natives that produce fairly small, unremarkable blooms, but their berries are just lovely in the autumn and winter landscape. Some species serve as a host plant for the day-flying snowberry clearwing moth (also called the hummingbird moth). The snowberry (S. albus) grows to 4 feet and produces pink flowers followed by white fruits. It’s hardy down to -50 degrees F. The coralberry (S. orbiculatus) has white flowers followed by coral-colored fruits. Plus, the fall foliage is a lovely crimson. They make very unique hedges.

Rhodies and Azaleas

What we gardeners commonly call rhododendrons and azaleas are actually one very large genus of plants botanically classified in the genus Rhododendron. Gardeners distinguish rhododendrons from azaleas by how their flowers are produced. Azalea flowers are funnel-shaped and borne singly, while rhododendron flowers are larger and produced in clusters. All rhododendrons are evergreen, but there are both evergreen and deciduous azalea species. Regardless, both rhododendrons and azaleas are great flowering shrubs for shade. They are both attractive to early season pollinators and make beautiful statements in partial to full shade. Here are some excellent varieties of both rhodies and azaleas.

Azaleas are excellent flowering evergreen shrubs for shade.

Evergreen azaleas (

Rhododendron [sub genus Tsutsusi])

If you are looking for evergreen shrubs that aren’t yews, try azaleas. Most evergreen azaleas are native to Asia, but a few species are native to North America. There are thousands of evergreen azalea species, hybrids, and cultivars – so many that it’s difficult to keep them straight. Azaleas can range in height from mini varieties that top out at just 2 feet tall, all the way up to full-sized specimens that grow to 8 feet in height. Azaleas produce a wide range of flower colors, from salmon pink and white to purple, red, and lavender. Their hardiness varies, though many are hardy to -20 degrees F. If you’re looking for a great flowering evergreen shrub for shade, azaleas are a terrific choice.

Deciduous azaleas are another terrific shrub for shade. The elongated flowers appear in early spring.

Deciduous azaleas (

Rhododendron [sub genus Pentathera])

Deciduous azaleas are among my favorite flowering shrubs for shade. While their branches are bare in the winter, the clusters of tubular flowers that appear in spring are real show-stoppers. My favorite group of deciduous azaleas are the Exbury hybrids. These upright azaleas reach a height of 4 to 5 feet and produce trusses of flowers that can be red, pink, cream, orange, or yellow. Hardy to -20 degrees F, these flowering shrubs for shade prefer well-drained soils high in organic matter. They bloom around the same time as the dogwood. The royal azalea (R. schlippenbachii) is another deciduous species that grows up to 10 feet tall, with leaves clustered at the end of the twigs and pink flowers in the spring.

Rhododendrons are arguably the most recognizable flowering shrub for shade.

Rhododendron (

Rhododendron species, hybrids, and cultivars)

Rhododendrons are a large group of woody plants with broad, evergreen leaves. The bell-shaped flowers are borne in huge clusters at the ends of the stems. The showy flowers each have 5 to 10 stamens and are treasured by bigger bee species and butterflies. Rhododendrons prefer well-drained, acid soil with lots of organic matter. Use sulfur or a granular fertilizer formulated specifically for evergreens. Partial and dappled shade is best for rhododendrons; deep shade may reduce flowering. However, some species and hybrids are more tolerant of deep shade than others.

Rhododendrons may exhibit winter die-back during years of particularly cold weather or in windy areas. Larger species, such as R. catawbiense, can grow 10 feet tall, while shorter species, such as R. yakusimanum, reaches just 3 feet in height. All rhododendrons bloom in spring. Their hardiness varies, depending on the species, but most are hardy to at least -10 degrees F with many species exhibiting hardiness way beyond that.

PJM rhodies have purple leaves in the winter and produce flowers in the spring, sometimes with a second smattering of blooms in the fall.

PJM Rhododendron (

Rhododendron x PJM)

This group of broadleaf evergreen rhododendrons is a delightful addition to any shady garden. They’re among the hardiest of all flowering shrubs for shade, surviving easily down to -30 degrees F. PJMs grow up to 6 feet tall and wide. The bright lavender-pink flowers appear in spring, often with a smattering of reblooms in the autumn. Just like other rhododendrons, PJMs prefer acidic soil that’s well drained. This group of hybrids produces compact growth and small, dark leaves. It’s hardier than many other rhododendron types and the foliage turns a deep purple in the winter.

A few other shade-tolerant shrubs worth including in your garden are summersweet clethra, serviceberry, camellias, aucubas, and the bottlebrush buckeye.

For more exceptional plants for your landscape, check out the following posts:

Do you grow any of these terrific flowering shrubs for shade? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comment section below!

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

.

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 ornamental greenery, but active flowering and fruiting, of course, you will need to organize proper plant care.

    Shade-loving and shade-tolerant garden plants: perennial flowers and shrubs

    Already in early spring we begin to think about the layout of our garden, distributing the plants that we will plant in different parts of the summer cottage. As a rule, most are faced with the problem of choosing a plant for planting in shady places that you really want to decorate with beautiful flowers or shrubs, because such areas often remain empty and neglected.

    Let's talk about those shade-tolerant plants that can grow normally in the most shady areas of the garden.

    Contents

    What to plant in a shady place or which plants are shade-tolerant

    A shady place is an area where sunlight does not reach more than 3 hours a day, and the rest of the time there is deep shade.

    Every garden has shaded areas, these can be northern slopes, places near the fence or between large trees.

    In fact, the most shady places in the garden are the best places, because, as a rule, there is a favorite bench for relaxing on a hot summer day. However, not every plant will be able to withstand the shade, grow successfully and delight the eye with its flowering.

    Shade-loving plants are those plants that, however strange it may sound, do not tolerate sunlight at all or suffer from its excess.

    However! Nevertheless, it is more correct to speak of "shade-tolerant plants" , since not a single plant can grow without light.

    As a rule, they have bright juicy and green foliage.

    All shade-loving and shade-tolerant plants can be divided into 2 varieties: decorative leafy and flowering.

    Tip! When planting a shady area, don't just plant monocultures, shade-loving perennials and annuals look great in close proximity.

    Popular Shade Shrubs
    Thunberg Barberry

    Ideal for shady areas Thunberg barberry . In deep shade you will hardly get bright yellows and reds, and most likely it will just be a uniform green, but nevertheless, it is still a very conspicuous shade-tolerant plant.

    By the way! About planting and growing barberry , read here.

    Euonymus

    Another small and shade-tolerant shrub is Euonymus . Its variegated and low form looks very good in the garden.

    Privet

    A low shrub Privet will be quite noticeable under the shade of trees. Its lemon-colored leaves seem to illuminate a shady spot.

    Weigela

    However, different varieties relate differently to the shade - there are more shade-tolerant, there are less.

    By the way! About planting and growing weigela you can read more about here .

    Cotoneaster

    Cotoneaster will look very decorative in a shady corner. It has beautiful dark green leathery and shiny leaves. Again, varieties differ markedly in shade tolerance.

    Honeysuckle

    Imagine how pleasant it will be to sit in the arbor, which is entwined with decorative honeysuckle (Honeysuckle or Tatar honeysuckle) with its gorgeous colors.

    Kalina Buldenezh

    By the way, decorative viburnum Buldenezh (Snowball) is also shade-tolerant.

    By the way! The site already has detailed material about planting and growing viburnum Buldenezh .

    Popular annual and perennial shade-tolerant flowers0266 daisy , forget-me-not , fragrant tobacco , evening primrose.

    Fragrant tobacco

    If we talk about seasonal and annual shade-loving plants, then under the trees, where there is a lot of shade, in the spring you can safely plant daffodils , crocuses , tulips and hyacinths 9026, because they will bloom in their entirety 9026 beauty long before the leaves appear on the trees.

    Brief descriptions of the most popular shade-tolerant and shade-loving perennials: shrubs and flowers

    Hosta

    According to many gardeners, the hosta is simply the queen of the shady garden. She has the most diverse color of leaves, ranging from gray to yellow-green, there are even leaves with a white border.

    Please note! The site already has article about planting and growing Hosta .

    It is very appropriate to combine hosta with a wide variety of ferns, planting them in the shade of a house where everything is in order with humidity (it is high).

    Video: Care and Growing Shade Hosta

    Astilba

    This is a quirky plant that thrives in shade and thrives in moist soil.

    Important! Read more about planting and growing astilba outdoors .

    Video: Growing and caring for Shade Astilba

    Astilboides

    The most striking feature of this plant is the original large leaves. Its leaf can reach from 80 to 100 centimeters in diameter.

    Another distinguishing feature of astilboides is that the stalk is not usually attached to it: it grows directly from the middle of the leaf. In other words, it turns out such an umbrella on the leg.

    This luxurious and showy plant likes to grow near swampy rivers and is at its best for decorating artificial ponds.

    Buzulnik

    There are a lot of varieties of buzulnik. Those that grow naturally have dark green leaves and irresistible yellow buds.

    Buzulniks, bred artificially, often have dark brown, even actually burgundy foliage and unusual, similar to daisies, yellow peduncles that can last for a whole month.

    Badan

    This is a completely unique plant, perfect for planting in the shade. In winter it leaves in a green state and after winter it again appears green to the eye. The fact is that under the snow the bergenia does not shed its leaves and does not die, but remains green all the time.

    The flowers of this plant are unpretentious and modest, but very cute.

    Another interesting property of bergenia is that its old leaves, which turn dark or brown, have special healing properties. In Tibet, they are brewed as a rejuvenating tea.

    Video: unpretentious and shade-tolerant bergenia

    Brunner (Forget-me-not)

    Indispensable for decorating a small shady area.

    In addition to the beautiful leaves of impressive coloring (variegated and green with a silvery cobweb), it also blooms angelically charming - small blue forget-me-nots.

    You can look at her for hours, she is so airy and beautiful. It's just impossible to look away!

    Video: planting and caring for a shade-loving plant Brunnera large-leaved

    Volzhanka (Aruncus)

    It remarkably withstands partial shade, but blooms a little less abundantly in deep shade. And still, the unpretentious Volzhanka blooms its inflorescences again and again!

    Video: unpretentious Volzhanka for planting and flowering in the shade0122

    Heuchera looks absolutely wonderful, which won the hearts of many gardeners. The number of leaf colors is surprisingly rich: from lilac-steel to bright red and green.

    The sizes are also quite diverse: from miniature forms to quite tall specimens.

    This is an absolutely unpretentious plant that does not require special attention, grows beautifully and does not lose its decorative effect from May to October.

    Important! Read more about planting and growing Heuchera outdoors .

    In addition, geykhera is very winter-hardy and tolerates the first autumn frosts well, leaving under the snow with leaves covered with hoarfrost.

    And in the month of May, geyhers start very quickly and gain their color due to amazingly beautiful foliage.

    It blooms amazingly beautifully, flower stalks rise high enough above the plant and last quite a long time.

    In the recent past, botanists crossed geuchera and tiarella and got a new variety of geucherella. The plant has become even more resistant to the preservation of colorfulness, and the color range is much wider.

    Video: all about growing shade-loving geyhera

    Dicentra (Broken heart)

    It can grow both in open and sunny areas and in shaded areas. However, in the sun, the buds open and bloom early, and the peduncles do not differ in particular size and splendor. In shady places, the color picks up more slowly, but the flowers are brighter, larger and give pleasure with their wonderful appearance until July-August. Therefore, it will be good to plant a dicenter, for example, closer to the gazebo or house, the shadow of which will fall on the plant for most of the day.

    It will also look good near the fence.

    Please note! Read more about planting and growing dicentra from rhizomes and seeds outdoors .

    Video: how to grow a dicentra or a broken heart in a shady garden If you see him, then most likely you will just fall in love.

    At the end of the summer, it usually throws out a peduncle - a long panicle with silvery flowers. The spectacle is impressive! It is simply impossible to pass by without stopping.

    Another important advantage of this shade-tolerant perennial is the fact that it can grow in the same place for quite a long time.

    Kupena

    This flower is not widely used in our summer cottages, but nevertheless it is a very friendly plant, which, like no other, is suitable for the shady side of the summer cottage.

    Its coloration can vary from dark green to variegated, when the green leaf is bordered by white stripes along the edge.

    Delicate white and pink flowers all over the stem, resembling something like a lily of the valley - this is a very pleasant sight.

    The plant grows quite quickly, so if you need to fill the shady space under fruit trees or plant in the shade next to conifers, then kupena deserves your attention.

    Fern

    Another shadow king is the fern. Of course, he does not give flowers, no matter how much we want and do not expect, but he has amazing foliage, which comes in various colors, different sizes and shapes. He lives best in a damp shady corner.

    We are accustomed to the fact that the fern is always dark green, but now we have developed varieties with a dark brown color, lilac centers and silver leaf edges.

    If you plant a fern in the shade of your garden house or in another shady place, it will take all your attention and the attention of your garden guests.

    Video: fern care and cultivation in the shade under the crown of trees

    Rogersia

    Many flower growers call her the queen of the shady garden, which grows to a height of 1.5 meters.

    Thanks to its magnificent large leaves, Rogersia is very picturesque throughout the season.

    Fluffy and fragrant white, pink or cream-colored panicle inflorescences bloom in early July and can last for more than a month.