Home » Misc » Shade loving flowering bush

Shade loving flowering bush


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!

Shade Loving Shrubs: The Best Bushes To Plant Under Trees

Do you have a tree in your yard and don’t know what to do with the empty space underneath? Well, I’m here to tell you that there are plenty of shade loving shrubs that thrive under trees! In fact, many of them actually require those shady spots in order to grow well. So whether your landscape has full shade or partial shade, read on for some recommendations.

If you’re like me, you have a few trees in your yard and are always looking for plants that will thrive under their shady conditions.

The space between taller trees and low growing perennials lends itself to an array of blooming bushes and interesting foliage plants.

In fact, by growing a variety of shade tolerant shrubs, this shady area is the ideal place for plants that provide all-season interest.

I rely on the glorious flowers of rhododendrons, azalea and mountain laurel in the spring, the magnificence of hydrangeas in the summer, Japanese maple foliage in autumn, and evergreen foliage and bark in the winter.

And those are just a few of the available options. Keep reading to find the best shrubs for shade that you can plant under trees.

Flowering shrubs

When I’m planting in the shade, I’m always looking for ways to add some color that brightens it up a little.

So I love shrubs for shade gardens that have beautiful blooms.

Luckily there are more of them than you might think! Here are some of my favorite flowering shrubs for shade.

This post may contain affiliate links. We make a small commission if you buy the products from these links (at no extra cost to you). As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. But we only recommend products we would use ourselves. For more information, click here to see our disclosures.

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 evergreen shrub with leaves that start out red, then change to pink and cream before becoming lime green.

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

Pieris Japonica ‘Forest Flame’

When planted with rhododendrons, azaleas and yews, the bright green leaves add contrast and interest to your garden all year.

In early spring, the stems are crowned with white or pink star-shaped clusters.

Learn more about growing Pieris Japonica HERE.

Buy it HERE*.

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

Another fabulous late spring/early summer bloomer is the Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia).

It is another one of the evergreens for shade that prefers acidic soil, sheltered conditions, and mulch for moisture retention.

The pink blooms take your breath away with their beauty.

Learn more about growing Mountain Laurel.

Buy it HERE.*

Rhododendron ‘PJM’

Zones: 4 to 9
Light: Shade to part shade
Bloom Time: Spring
Height: 3′ to 12′ (depending on the variety)
Spread: 3′ to 12′

As long as the soil conditions are acidic and regular moisture is provided, rhododendrons are the perfect flowering shrub for the mid-story.  They thrive in the dappled shade under trees, but can grow in full or part shade.

Rhododendrons need shelter from winds and the sun, and require little or no pruning.

Mulch is important to protect the shallow roots and replace nutrients in the soil.

I like the contrast in shape of the broadleaf evergreen leaves among the needled yews.

Rhododendron’s range of colors and spring bloom times provide a succession of fabulous blossom from April to June.

When the early Rhododendrons are covered in magenta or fuchsia flowers, my heart sings and my soul recovers from the blight of winter.

Get some tips on growing Rhododendrons.

Buy them (including the purple one) HERE.*

4 | Azalea

Zones: 2 to 9
Light: Partial 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 members of the Rhododendron family and have the same acidic soil and protected growth requirements. And also make the list as one of the best shrubs for shade.

The difference is that azaleas are generally smaller plants and can be either deciduous or evergreen bushes.

Northern Lights Azalea

The Northern Lights series is tough, no care and (as the name suggests) is bred to survive the cold.

Their blossoms precede their leaves in spring and are a joy to behold.

Encore Azalea ‘Autumn Twist’

The Encore series is evergreen and not as hardy, but blooms a second time in the fall.

They are available in a wide range of colors.

‘Bollywood’ Azalea

‘Bollywood’ is an evergreen variety that has variegated leaves with pretty red to fuchsia flowers.

Azalea ‘Gibraltar’  ©Peter Turner Photography – shutterstock.com

And there are even a few Azaleas with bright orange flowers like this one called ‘Gibraltar’ (you can find it HERE*).

In my opinion, no spring garden should be without these bright, glorious flowering shrubs.

Buy them HERE.*

Zones: 4 to 8
Light: Partial shade
Bloom Time: Spring
Height: 3′ to 8′ (depending on the variety)
Spread: 3′ to 6′

Unlike their full-sun cousins (perennial peonies), Tree Peonies (Paeonia suffruticosa) thrive in the dappled shade under trees.

This deciduous flowering shrub likes acidic to neutral soil.

A much tougher plant than it looks, it is definitely low maintenance – requires only regular watering and mulching.

Tree peonies produce huge luncheon plate sized ruffled flowers in mid-spring. I counted 15 blossoms on the tree peony ‘Pluto’ (as seen in the picture above) in my front shade border this year.

Learn more about how to grow tree peonies.

You can find a lot of different varieties for sale (including ‘Pluto’) HERE.

6 | Shade Hydrangeas

Zones: 3 to 9
Light: Partial shade
Bloom Time: Summer to Fall
Height: 3′ to 5′ (depending on the variety)
Spread: 3′ to 5′

Big green leaves and prolific magnificent blooms describe this entry in our shrubs for shade list.

Hydrangeas, as the name (hydra) implies, need to be kept well watered.

They are deciduous bushes that blossom from July through September.

The pruning care requirements are dependent on the type.

Hydrangea macrophylla (bigleaf, hophead, lacecap, and florist hydrangea) should only have dead and weak stems removed immediately after the blooms fade. Otherwise, it will not flower next year.

It blooms on old wood, so resist the urge to trim the dead looking stems in the spring!

With the exception of the white bloomers, and some new introductions (e.g. ‘pistachio’), the color of Hydrangea macrophylla flowers is dependent on the pH of the soil—blue in acidic and pink in alkaline.

Buy Hydrangea macrophylla HERE.*

©hcast – stock.adobe.com

Oakleaf Hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is an understory plant indigenous to the southeastern United States and is poplar in the home garden border for its all-season interest.

Its distinctive oak-shaped leaves turn bright red in the fall and the exfoliating bark of its stems is interesting in the winter and early spring.

It likes acidic soil and needs no pruning.

Buy Oakleaf Hydrangea HERE.*

Note: While most Hydrangea varieties do well in the shade, Hydrangea paniculata grows better in the sun, so be sure to check what kind you are buying.

Get some tips on how to get the best blooms from your Hydrangea.

Zones: 6 – 10
Light: Partial 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 another of the evergreen shrubs that grow well in the shade.

The big difference with this bush is the time of year that it flowers. Depending on the variety, it can bloom any time between October and April. And those blooms are stunning!

Even better? Once established, Camellias require very little maintenance to keep them healthy.

Learn how to grow Camellias.

Buy them HERE.*

Zones: 5 to 10
Light: Shade to part shade
Bloom Time: Late winter to early spring
Height: 3′ to 5′
Spread: 3′ to 5′

Next on our list of shrubs for shade is Daphne.

Most varieties have evergreen leaves and produce pink or white fragrant blooms in late winter or early spring.

In my garden, it’s one of the plants that lets me know spring is coming. When I open the front door and can smell the Daphne’s perfume (even before I see the flowers), I know winter is almost over!

It can be a little tricky to get started, but once it is established, Daphne is a very low maintenance plant.

Find out more about growing Daphne. 

Buy it HERE.*

9 | Virginia Sweetspire (

Itea virginica)

Zones: 5 to 9
Light: Shade to sun
Bloom Time: Late spring, early summer
Height: 3′ to 8′ (depending on the variety)
Spread: 3′ to 8′

Virginia Sweetspire is a native shrub with long fragrant white flowers (that pollinators love!) and gorgeous autumn foliage in the fall.

It is easy to grow in pretty much any garden conditions – dry, wet, poor soil, shade or sun.

Look for the dwarf variety ‘Little Henry’ if you want one that doesn’t take up a lot of space in your garden.

Buy it HERE.*

10 | Viburnum

Zones: 2 to 9
Light: Partial shade
Bloom Time: Spring
Height: 1′ to 20′
Spread: 6′ to 10′

Viburnum is a very versatile deciduous shrub that always seems to work itself in to my garden plans.

With its huge white blooms that look like snowballs hanging off the branches, it definitely makes a statement!

For planting under trees, look for smaller varieties (such as Korean Spice) that won’t outgrow the space.

Buy it HERE.*

11 | Spotted Laurel (

Aucuba japonica)©simona – stock.adobe.com

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

Spotted Laurel is a broad leaf evergreen bush that makes a great hedge or back-of-the-border shrub in deep 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 deep shade garden.

Buy it HERE.*

12 | American Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

Zones: 4 to 8
Light: Partial shade
Bloom Time: Late fall to early winter
Height: 10′ to 20′ tall
Spread: 15′ to 20′ wide

American Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is a large deciduous shrub with clusters of citrus-scented yellow flowers that appear in the late fall and early winter.

As the name suggests, it is a native bush to North America. And like many native plants, it is low maintenance, fairly deer resistant and disease resistant once it is established.

Although Witch Hazel grows quite large naturally, it can be pruned to keep it smaller. This should be done before summer starts to prevent cutting off the buds.

Buy it HERE*.

13 | Red Twig Dogwood (

Cornus Alba)

Zones: 3 to 8
Light: Partial shade to shade
Bloom Time: Spring
Height: 8′
Spread: 8′

The red twig dogwood (Cornus Alba) is a shade loving shrub with very attractive variegated gray-green deciduous leaves that provide a bright light in the shaded border.

It has insignificant small white flowers in the spring, followed by white berries, but the compelling reason to plant this shrub is for the winter interest of its red stems.

It can be most appreciated if planted in front of a window where the splash of red in the snow only needs a cardinal to complete a perfect vignette.

The red twig dogwood can be kept small and brighter by pruning out 1/3 of the old stems in the winter, otherwise, it will reach 8’ tall.

Buy it HERE.*

Foliage Bushes

While flowering bushes are beautiful, to have a lush, relaxing shade garden, shrubs that are known for their foliage are also a must.

With the different leaf textures and colors, they add interest to your yard for the whole growing season.

Zones: 5 to 9
Light: Partial shade
Bloom Time: Foliage only
Height: 6′ to 25′ (depending on the variety)
Spread: 6′ to 25′

Japanese Maples (Acer palmatum) are dwarf trees that create outstanding focal points in the shady border under trees.

My front border is anchored by two other Acers, one at each corner of a curved path.

Although they are different varieties of Japanese maple, the foliage provides focal interest and intense color.

They like dappled shade and do not like to dry out, so provide a deep layer of mulch.

Prune, if necessary, in summer after the leaves are established.

I love the way my cut leaf ‘Crimson Queen’ forms a canopy of scarlet lacy foliage from spring until fall. Even in the winter, the branches arch dramatically.

Find out more about growing Japanese Maples.

Buy them HERE.*

15 | Yews (

Taxus)Yew

Zones: 4 to 9
Light: Partial 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.

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

Yews provide all season interest and stand out in the winter garden as a green respite among the deciduous branches.

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

Yews generally do not like wet conditions.

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

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

Taxus Canadensis is a tough, small native shrub that will grow in dense shade.

Buy them HERE.*

16 | Boxwood (

Buxus)

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

The next plant on our list of shade shrubs is Boxwood.

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

However, it is such an easy plant to grow I think it deserves a place in any kind of border, especially since it is evergreen and grows so well under trees.

Adequate water and 3” of mulch take care of its maintenance needs.

©EDEN – stock.adobe.com

Aesthetically, Buxus looks much better pruned so that its small evergreen leaves become denser.

It grows slowly, so once the desired shape is established it only needs an annual shearing.

Buy it HERE.*

17 | 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′

The last of our bushes that grow in shade is Anise.

With its heat resistance, yellow-green evergreen leaves and small star-shaped fruit, it’s a stand out in the Southern shade garden.

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

Buy it HERE.*

Other shade plants you might like

Do you have comments or questions on our list of shade loving shrubs? Tell us in the section below.


Pin It So You Don't Forget It!

This post was originally published on October 20, 2018 but was updated with new content on June 14, 2022.


Sharing is caring!

Shade-loving perennial shrubs for the garden, photos and names

It happens that shaded places are found on the territory of a summer cottage or garden plot. 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 both in 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 is some of them.

Forsythia

This plant has spectacular leaves of rich 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. Leaves of saturated color will certainly bring zest and a peculiar charm to your garden.

Magonia

This evergreen shrub loves moisture. With systematic watering, it will become very lush and even be able to bloom.

These shade-tolerant shrubs make a wonderful addition to any yard.

What plants to plant in a shady area


Watch this video on YouTube

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

corners of the suburban area. 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.

Content

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

A shady place is an area where there is no more than 3 hours of sunlight per 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

Under the shade of trees, a low shrub will be quite noticeable Privet . 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 flowers0158 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 spring you can safely plant daffodils , crocuses , tulips and hyacinths 9015, because they will bloom in their entirety 9015 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 shade

Geichera 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, geuchera is very winter-hardy and tolerates the first autumn frosts very 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 canopy 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.

Shaded area design idea! Plant such tall and shade-loving plants as buzulniks, black cohosh and ferns in the background, make the second tier from the host, and on the lower plan - geyhera and geyherella.

Learn more