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Shrub for shade area


31 Shrubs For Shade Gardens and Shady Areas

Not quite trees and not quite low-growing plants, shrubs provide the perfect in-between size and shape. There are several different types of shrubs that you can grow in a shade garden or shady area. Some have flowers, while others let their foliage speak for itself. You can grow a stand-alone shrub or create a robust hedge. 

When choosing the right shrubs for your garden, you must pay attention to the growing needs of each plant. Some grow easily without any help, while others need special care. The plants on this list also range across several zones. When planting a shade garden, or planting in a shady area, it’s important to plan out your plants ahead of time.

A shade garden can often pose some difficulty to those who think full sunlight is needed for robust shrubs. Luckily, there are plenty of great options if you want to find shrubs that work well in shade. Let’s take a deeper look at some of our favorite shade-friendly shrubs, that will grow well in your shade garden, or in shady areas of your landscape!

Contents

African Scurf Pea

African Scurf Pea – an elegant short-lived shrub with blue, purple, and white flowers.
Scientific Name:
Psoralea pinnata

This unique shrub offers beautiful white and purple blooms in the late spring. These blooms are known for their fragrance which is similar to grape soda. The flowers look very similar to those produced by pea plants. The African Scurf Pea has linear leaf blades, which also contain some scent.

African Scurf Pea can do well near water, but it can also survive a drought. It is vital to make sure that you plant this shrub in soil that drains well. 

Alpine Currant

Ribes alpinum, commonly known as alpine currant, has red fruits with an insipid taste.
Scientific Name:
Ribes alpinum

Pick this shrub if you are looking for a hardy option that will not need much upkeep. If you want your shrubs to produce berries, you will need to plant both male and female plants. While you can eat these berries, you may not want to due to the taste. 

There is no particular time that is best for pruning when it comes to this plant. They are just generally agreeable under most conditions. Alpine currants can handle sun or shade. However, there are some geographic areas in which it is illegal to plant this due to its ability to host white pine blister rust. 

Andromeda

Andromeda is an evergreen perennial shrub with white bell-shaped flowers.
Scientific Name:
Pieris japonica

This slow-growing perennial shrub is a relative of the rhododendron family. It is known for its unique smell, which garners mixed reviews. An early bloomer, this plant produces clusters of small white bell-shaped flowers. This shrub is a great choice if you want flowers in your garden in late winter or early spring.  

Keep Andromeda’s solid, moist, and well-draining. This shrub does not enjoy soggy or overly dry soil. While this plant does well in a range of conditions, it is a good idea to try to give it a bit of sun if you want as much blooming as possible. 

Arrowwood Viburnum  

Arrowwood Viburnum is a fast-growing shrub that has white flowers and small blackberries that bring butterflies by the thousands.
Scientific Name:
Viburnum dentatum

A relative of the honeysuckle, this small shrub is known for its compact shape, glossy leaves, large white flowers, and small blackberries. Expect fiery orange and red foliage in the fall. These do well in borders and hedges. The shrub can spread with suckers. So, trim those back if you want to keep them contained. 

Unlike many other shrubs on this list, Arrowwood Viburnum enjoys wet soil. It is best if this soil drains well and is acidic. This shrub can do well in the shade, but a bit of sun can increase flowering. So, partial shade is ideal. 

Azalea

Rhododendron lives up to 50 years, in natural conditions – up to 100 years.
Scientific Names:
Rhododendron spp. 

Azaleas are known for the gorgeous color they add to gardens. They can come in a range of shades of pinks, reds, and purples. These plants come in so many shapes and sizes that you can easily choose the variety you want for your particular garden.  

While azaleas are very closely related to Rhododendrons, they are different in a few ways. For example, while rhododendrons are usually evergreen, most azaleas are deciduous. However, there are a few evergreen varieties of azaleas. 

Bigleaf Hydrangea

Macrophylla is commonly known as Bigleaf Hydrangea, which is considered a very beautiful and rather amazing plant.
Scientific Name:
Hydrangea macrophylla

As you may be able to guess from the name of this shrub, it has particularly large leaves. These big leaves are usually serrated and wide. The small flowers of the plant grow in round pom-pom-like collectives. These flowers on this shrub are blue, or pink, and can sometimes be purple.

These colors are determined by the pH of the soil. An acidic soil causes blue blooms, while alkaline soil produces pink flowers. Hydrangeas grow easily and with minimal care in the zones they are hardy to.

California Holly

Heteromeles arbutifolia – a California native evergreen shrub with red berries.
Scientific Name:
Heteromeles arbutifolia

While the leaves of this plant do echo that of holly, the plant’s overall shape is different from traditional holly. In early summer, this shrub produces little white flowers, and in fall and winter, these flowers lead to red berries. California Holly is popular amongst the wildlife. 

This plant is drought-resistant, and it can do well in a range of sun levels. Fun fact: this shrub is the only species in its genus.  

Camellia

Camellia sinensis, known as the tea plant and is used in traditional Chinese medicine.
Scientific Name:
Camellia sinensis

This long-lived flowering shrub is known for its glossy green leaves and lush, colorful flowers. There are several varieties of Camellia. These varieties come in different sizes and with different blossom colors. You may be able to find red, yellow, purple, white, and pink flowers on these plants. 

Put a fair amount of space between this plant and others since they will try to compete for resources. These plants can be somewhat finicky about their growing conditions. They need consistent moisture since drought can lead to several issues, including spider mites. 

Canadian Bunchberry

Canadian Bunchberry is a creeping shrub no more than 6 inches high.
Scientific Name:
Cornus canadensis

The Canadian Bunchberry is an ideal choice if you are looking for a native plant for your shade garden. It is considered a subshrub. So, it is a somewhat different shape than many other shrubs. As a result, it is used a groundcover. You can recognize this plant by its large, light green leaves, its four-petaled flowers, and red berries. 

This plant grows best in the shade with moist soil. They can even handle some amount of soggy soil and cold. Make sure that the soil is nice and acidic. 

Canadian Hemlock

Canadian hemlock is an evergreen long-lived monoecious coniferous tree from the Pine family.
Scientific Name:
Tsuga canadensis

This plant may be called hemlock, but it is not the same plant as the one used for poisons. Frequently described as elegant, Canadian Hemlock is a type of tree, but you can keep it trained as a shrub for a few years. The plant is considered slow-growing. 

Provide this plant with moist and well-drained soil. It is also best to keep these shrubs safe from wind, given that their roots are fairly shallow. Finding a balance is key with this plant since it does not enjoy drought or soggy soil. 

Checkerberry

Gaultheria procumbens, also known as snowberry or mountain berry, is a low, evergreen shrub belonging to the Ericaceae family.
Scientific Name:
Gaultheria procumbens

This evergreen subshrub is a popular groundcover choice. You can recognize them by their bright red berries and reddish-green leaves. Small white or pink flowers are visible before the berries appear. Checkerberry spreads using its rhizomatous roots. It takes a while for it to grow to its full width of three feet. 

Since this plant is also known as wintergreen, you may want to know that it is traditionally used to flavor food. These plants can thrive in a variety of conditions. However, they do best in acidic, moist soil. Too much sun can scorch the plants, but filtered light can help the plants produce blooms. 

Chinese Fringe-Flower

Loropetalum, also called Chinese Fringe-Flower, is a beautiful winter flowering shrub.
Scientific Name:
Loropetalum

This evergreen shrub provides color throughout the whole year. Between the beautiful, spangly blossoms, and the color-changing foliage, there are many reasons to add this plant to your shade garden. The foliage transitions between green and red, while the blooms can be pink, red, and white. 

There are several varieties of these plants, but they generally have similar care needs. All varieties are generally low-maintenance, and they usually do not encounter pest problems. Some protection from the sun is vital for these shrubs. This plant is fairly drought resistant. 

Clethra

Clethra alnifolia is widely distributed in North America under natural conditions.
Scientific Name:
Clethra alnifolia

Choose this shrub if you want to add some fragrance and pollinators to your garden. This plant is also a popular option for those who wish to grow a plant that blooms later in the summer. The tiny flowers can range anywhere from white to darker pink. The leaves are long and serrated. 

This shrub is often used to create a hedge. It can even do well in areas with very moist soil, including near a pond or marsh. Clethra prefers acidic soil, but it can do well in several circumstances. While many plants still need some sun to bloom, this shrub can do well in the shade. 

Coast Leucothoe

Coast Leucothoe is an easy maintenance bush that blooms in winter.
Scientific Name:
Leucothoe axillaris

Prized for its unique foliage, this shrub provides interesting colors throughout the year. While the leaves are green for most of the year, they take on purple shades during the fall. Many people also enjoy the honey-like scent of the white flowers this plant produces. These clumps of white bells trail down from the plant. 

Under certain circumstances, you can grow this plant in zone 5. However, it is more likely to do well in zones six through nine. When planting in these zones, ensure that your Coast Leucothoe does not have too much sun or heat directed at it. Besides this need, this plant does not have many requirements since it is so hardy. 

Common Boxwood

Common boxwood is an evergreen shrub or tree with glossy dark green ovate-oblong leaves.
Scientific Name:
Buxus sempervirens

This type of boxwood is just one member of this large genus. Within that genus, there are several shapes and sizes of boxwoods. Some are dwarf-sized, while others are the size of trees. The Common Boxwood is loved for its versatility. It can be planted individually or used in a hedge.  

Protect these plants from the sun and wind since these can damage the roots of the plant since they are so shallow. This protection can be carried out by adding mulch around the roots of the shrubs. Plant these shrubs in well-draining soil and deep watering. 

Common Witch Hazel

Hamamelis virginiana, known as witch-hazel blooming in autumn with reddish-yellow flowers.
Scientific Name:
Hamamelis virginiana

Often, this is one of the first bloomers of the year. Its spider-like yellow blossoms usually appear in late winter or early spring. After this, the green ovular leaves appear. They eventually turn orange in the fall. Common Witch Hazel grows at a steady pace, taking a few years to reach its maximum height. 

This easy-to-grow shrub prefers acidic soil, but it will tolerate other pHs, as well. Beyond this, the plant does not have many needs. You do not need to prune the plant too frequently. Some caterpillars and beetles enjoy trying to eat this plant. 

Creeping Barberry

Mahonia blooms in spring, very abundantly, in clusters of yellow, fragrant flowers.
Scientific Name:
Mahonia repens

Creeping Barberry tends to sprawl rather than grow tall. It creates small yellow flowers that then transition into purple fruit. The leaves look similar to holly leaves in shape and color. The foliage turns shades of red in the winter. It is often used as a groundcover. 

This plant grows relatively easily. However, it does best when protected from extreme heat or winds. 

Daphne

Daphne is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with beautiful and fragrant flowers.
Scientific Name:
Daphne odora

Several different species make up the Daphne genus. These species have also been hybridized to create even more varieties. All of these varieties tend to be small and rounded. They usually have tubular white or pink flowers that grow in bunches and tapered leaves. Eventually, berries arrive in the fall.

Since these plants are slow growers, they may take seven to ten years to reach their final size. You should be aware that these shrubs can sometimes die suddenly. This tendency may be related to them being picky about the amount of moisture they want. They also do not like being transplanted. 

Emerald ‘n Gold Euonymus

Euonymus fortunei has a large number of useful properties, it is widely used in alternative medicine.
Scientific Name:
Euonymus fortunei

This plant is the most popular member of a broad genus. Part of the Emerald n Gold Euonymus’ popularity is surely due to its unique green and gold foliage. While you can keep this plant pruned into a shrub shape, you can also let the plant behave like a climber or ground cover. With proper support, this plant can climb to around 60 feet.  

It is considered invasive in some areas. So, keep an eye on it and trim it after its brief annual flowering. This variety does well in many growing conditions as long as the soil is not too moist. It can even tolerate several bad growing conditions. 

Fire Cracker Plant

Fire cracker plant is attractive because its flowers are an unusual red color.
Scientific Name:
Aesculus pavia

The Fire Cracker Plant gets its name from its fiery and exciting blooms and its thin, striking foliage. The blooms are red and tubular. These look gorgeous when planted so that they can trail down a trellis. This plant needs to be watered about once a week. Water this plant more often if it is very hot.  

Hetz Japanese Holly

Japanese holly is one of the most interesting shrubs that can be grown in almost any garden.
Scientific Name:
Ilex crenata

This shrub is often confused with boxwood, and while they can be similar in some ways, there are a few key differences. Both shrubs are dioecious, so grow a male and female plant if you want to pollinate. When this plant’s white flowers are pollinated, black drupes are produced. 

Pick this plant if you want a solid, low-maintenance option. The Hetz Japanese Holly also responds well to pruning. This shrub does well in a range of sun levels. Shade may lead to the production of fewer berries. To prevent yellow leaves, it is best to plant this shrub in acidic soil.  

Japanese Rose

The Japanese rose is an ornamental shrub with thin inclined branches, graceful leaves, and bright yellow flowers.
Scientific Name:
Kerria japonica

While these shrubs are from a different genus of the Rosaceae family, they share several features in common with the roses that you may be more familiar with. The shape of the shrub echos that of a climbing rose, with tall, arching branches. The blooms have five petals just like other roses. 

The blooms of this shrub are yellow, and the bark is light green. You can find varieties of this plant that are single flowering or double flowering. The Japanese Rose can reach its full size within the first year of it being planted if you provide it with optimum conditions.

Japanese Skimmia

Skimmia japonica is a dioecious plant – small star-shaped male and female flowers, alternate leaves, with an entire margin.
Scientific Name:
Skimmia japonica

This shrub is known to provide interest all year long. The flowers that appear in the summer are not only beautiful but fragrant. Flowers can be yellow or white. These blooms give over to red berries in the fall and winter. It does well in hedges or when standing alone. This plant is dioecious, which means that it has male and female plants. Get some of each if you want berries. 

Plant this shrub with plenty of shade since too much sun can bleach the leaves. Choose a spot in acidic soil for this plant. Also, make sure that the soil has good drainage. After getting established, your Japanese Skimmia does not need too much attention. 

Mountain Laurel  

Mountain laurel flowers are collected in brushes, from light pink to white.
Scientific Name:
Kalmia latifolia

This plant is not a rhododendron, but it does offer similar aesthetic benefits. The shrub produces roundish blooms in clusters, and it has glossy green leaves. The blooms can be pink or white with purple accents. You can deadhead the blooms if you want to avoid the appearance of brown fruit. 

Mountain Laurel has a few particular needs in terms of planting. If those needs are met, it can grow about a foot a year. Make sure that this plant is planted in moist but well-drained soil. You will need to give your plants about four feet of space between these shrubs. 

Oakleaf Hydrangea

Oakleaf hydrangea is a large textured deciduous shrub reaching 3–12 feet tall with an open crown.
Scientific Name:
Hydrangea quercifolia

This shrub provides many of the benefits of other varieties of hydrangea but with a bold leaf shape. These leaves look very similar to those of oak, hence the name of the shrub. The flowers grow in large groups. The blooms are white at first, and then they gradually turn light pink. Foliage turns purple or red in the fall.  

Moist soil is a must for this plant. Provide plenty of mulch to help the soil retain its moisture. The amount of shade your Oakleaf Hydrangeas need will depend on the zone that you live in. In general, the warmer the zone, the more shade you will need. 

Rhododendron

Rhododendron is a genus of shrubs with flowers that look like bluebells.
Scientific Name:
Rhododendron spp.

The large shrubs produce similar flowers to their Azalea relatives. The blooms can be white, yellow, pink, red, purple, blue, or any color in between. The main difference is that the blooms on a rhododendron are generally grouped while Azalea blossoms are scattered throughout the shrub. 

These shrubs are fairly easy to grow, though they do have a few requirements. They do best in well-draining, acidic soil and plenty of shade. Rhododendrons are somewhat sensitive to an excess of sun. 

Serviceberry

Serviceberry is a small shrub or tree that, although often cultivated as a garden specimen, also grows wild.
Scientific Name:
Amelanchier spp. 

These members of the Rosaceae family produce small white flowers and later small reddish fruit. There are many different types of Serviceberry plants. While all of these plants follow similar trends, there is some variance. Some varieties have round rather than tapered leaves, while others have dark berries, and others have different flower shapes. 

There is some range in terms of how well these varieties handle different growing conditions, but generally, they can tolerate a decent amount of drought. These plants usually provide interest in all seasons thanks to the delicate white flowers in the spring and the red, orange, or yellow leaves in the fall. 

Silk Tassel Bush

Silk tassel bush is a fast-growing shrub with grey-green catkins, reaching 3m in winter and spring.
Scientific Name:
Garrya elliptica

The Silk Tassel Bush displays its flowers in long white or green flower clusters. These blooms appear in winter before giving way to black or purple fruit. The leaves dry on the shrub and stick around throughout the summer. This shrub can withstand several types of soil as long as it properly drains. 

Spotted Laurel

Spotted laurel is an evergreen shrub originally from East Asia.
Scientific Name:
Aucuba japonica

Add some interest to your shade garden with Spotted Laurel. Look out for small purple flowers in the early spring. To ensure pollination, plant male and female plants together. After pollination, red berries appear. This plant is easy to maintain, and it loves the shade. The only thing that threatens it is strong winds. 

Sumac

Sumac requires annual pruning to control their size and shape.
Scientific Name:
Rhus spp.

If you love beautiful colors, consider a member of the sumac genus for your garden. There are several types of Sumac that you can grow. When the plant blooms, the yellow flowers trail along in bunches. Female plants produce drupes that can be eaten by humans. In the fall, the foliage of this shrub becomes a bright red. 

Be aware that Sumac can spread quite a bit if you do not keep it under control. It can do well in all soil types. The main thing to look out for is a lack of draining in the soil. 

Yew

Yew is a genus of evergreen conifers from the Taxaceae family.
Scientific Name:
Taxus spp.

This conifer genus contains many different species that can be grown as trees or shrubs. Though there is some variety in terms of exact size and shape, there are some general common traits. They are easily recognizable from their thick green needles, cones, and red berries. All parts of these plants are toxic to humans and pets. 

Yews commonly grow as hedges or as topiaries. However, you can also grow them on their own. Well-draining soil is an absolute must for the Yew. This requirement exists because sopping soil exposes how prone these plants are to fungus. Besides this requirement, these plants are easy to care for. 

Final Thoughts

We hope that these options help you find the ideal shrub for your shade garden. Take note of which plants will grow properly in your hardiness zone. The great thing about many of these shrubs is that they will do well with pruning and other control methods. Whether you want flowers or only foliage, color all year round, or only a brief appearance of foliage, there is a shrub that will fit exactly what you are looking for!

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

(Image credit: Leigh Clapp)

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

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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

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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

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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

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'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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Rachel is senior content editor, and writes and commissions gardening content for homesandgardens.com, Homes & Gardens magazine, and its sister titles Period Living Magazine and Country Homes & Interiors. She has written for lifestyle magazines for many years, with a particular focus on gardening, historic houses and arts and crafts, but started out her journalism career in BBC radio, where she enjoyed reporting on and writing programme scripts for all manner of stories. Rachel then moved into regional lifestyle magazines, where the topics she wrote about, and people she interviewed, were as varied and eclectic as they were on radio. Always harboring a passion for homes and gardens, she jumped at the opportunity to work on The English Home and The English Garden magazines for a number of years, before joining the Period Living team, then the wider Homes & Gardens team, specializing in gardens.

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.

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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 poor 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


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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.

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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