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Shrub for shade zone 7


Learn About Plants That Tolerate Shade

Zone 7

By: Ilana Goldowitz Jimenez, Plant Scientist & Writer

Image by SkyF

Plants that tolerate shade and also provide interesting foliage or beautiful flowers are highly sought after. The plants you choose depend on your region and can vary widely. This article will provide suggestions for shade gardening in zone 7.

Zone 7 Shade Plants for Foliage Interest

American alumroot (Heuchera americana), also known as coral bells, is a lovely woodland plant native to North America. It is mostly grown for its attractive foliage, but it does produce small flowers. The plant is popular for use as a groundcover or in borders. Numerous varieties are available, including several with unusual foliage colors or with silver, blue, purple, or red markings on the leaves.

Other foliage shade plants for zone 7 include:

Flowering Zone 7 Shade Plants

Pineapple lily (Eucomis autumnalis) is one of the most unusual flowers you can grow in partial shade. It produces long stalks topped with striking flower clusters that look like miniature pineapples. The flowers come in shades of pink, purple, white, or green. Pineapple lily bulbs should be protected with a layer of mulch in winter.

Other flowering shade plants for zone 7 include:

Zone 7 Shrub Plants That Tolerate Shade

Oakleaf hydrangea (Hydrangea quercifolia) is a great shrub for shade because it adds interest to a garden year-round. Large clusters of white flowers appear in late spring or early summer, then gradually turn pink in late summer. The large leaves turn a wonderful reddish purple color in the fall, and the attractive bark is visible in the winter. Oakleaf hydrangea is native to southeastern North America, and varieties with single or doubled blossoms are available.

Other shrubs for shady spots in zone 7 include:

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30 Low-Maintenance Shrubs for Shade

By

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu

David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience.

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Updated on 09/09/22

Reviewed by

Kathleen Miller

Reviewed by Kathleen Miller

Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens, a working sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming.

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Fact checked by

Sarah Scott

Fact checked by Sarah Scott

Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.

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The Spruce / Catherine Song

Shrubs that grow in shade can add color and cheer to drab nooks as well as canopy-covered areas of your property. Ranging from short bushes to tall hedges, shade-loving shrubbery includes both evergreen and deciduous plants.

Some shade-tolerant shrubs produce beautiful blossoms, while others are famous for their attractive foliage. Many offer year-round appeal, making them perfect for shady yards where sun-loving plants simply cannot thrive.

Learn about 30 low-maintenance shrubs that will spruce up shaded areas of your lawn and garden without a lot of effort.

Low-Maintenance Shrubs for Shade

Watch Now: Tips for Selecting the Right Shrubs

Article Sources

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

  1. A Dangerous Garden Thug Exposed: Daphne Laureola. Master Gardeners Association of British Columbia.

  2. Labossiere Alexander W., Thompson Dennis F. Clinical Toxicology of Yew Poisoning. Annals of Pharmacotherapy, vol. 52, no. 6, pp. 591-599, 2018. doi:10.1177/1060028017754225

  3. Amelanchier alnifolia. Missouri Botanical Garden.

  4. Hamamelis virginiana. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas.

  5. Red Buckeye. University of Kentucky, Department of Horticulture.

  6. Japanese Skimmia. Washington State University Extension PNW Plants.

which coniferous plants grow in the shade?

Shaded areas can be effectively used by planting them with fruit and ornamental plants. Various shade-loving shrubs for the garden will be a real find. They will decorate the territory with lush foliage and flowers, divide it into zones, and also delight with generous harvests of juicy berries.

Contents

Features of garden species

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Some shrubs feel comfortable in the shade. In a darkened area, they have a bright color, long and densely bloom. In conditions of abundance of light, shade-loving plants are not entirely comfortable. Their delicate leaves can burn in direct sunlight. Unprotected places for shade-loving species are not suitable. However, such plants need light. The constant deep shade under the northern wall of the house will be a difficult test for them. The best option is diffused light under the canopy of trees.

Unlike shade-tolerant species, shade-tolerant shrubs prefer areas that receive direct sunlight. But they do quite well in dark areas. Under the shade of trees, they may have less vibrant colors and fewer flowers.

Since most shade-loving shrubs naturally live in the forest, appropriate soil should be prepared for them. It should be fertile and neutral in acidity. These conditions are suitable for most species. Although there are some shade-tolerant shrubs that prefer acidic soil. When the earth meets the requirements of the plant, it will be lush and bright. If you choose a plant that grows well in this region, you will not need to create special conditions for it.

To plant a shade-loving bush, you need to choose a free area so that the plant is not crowded. Undersized specimens are best placed on a hill, this is done to strengthen and decorate the embankments. Their shape, height and flowering is regulated by pruning.

Between trees, the soil can dry out a lot, as tree crowns cover it from rain. If the space around the bushes is filled with creeping shade-tolerant plants, the drying of the soil can be prevented.

Tall views are suitable for zoning the garden, disguising unattractive buildings and furnishing cozy seating areas.

Garden shrubs can be planted in multi-stage cascades with higher views at the back and low views at the front. Alley planting looks beautiful when the plants are planted at an equal distance from each other in 1 or 2 rows.

Usually seedlings are sold with a closed root system, so they can be planted in the ground at any time. But the rest period is optimal - late autumn or early spring.

Barberry and Blackberry

Red Elder is perfect for planting in a shady area of ​​the garden. It is not demanding on the soil and can grow in almost any soil, even with excess moisture. In May or June, the elderberry is covered with small white flowers, collected in paniculate inflorescences up to 20 cm in size. During this period, it looks very impressive. From the end of July, red berries begin to appear on the plant. The fruits of the shrub are eaten and used for medicinal purposes. Red elderberry has the ability to repel mice. For her, it is better to choose a place protected from the wind. Decoctions are prepared from young shoots and flowers of the shrub to protect plants from pests.

The barberry planted on the garden plot will become a source of valuable and tasty sour berries. The plant has a wonderful color of the leaves. Depending on the variety, it is yellow, purple, purple, green, variegated and with edging around the edges. This is a suitable plant for creating garden compositions (mixborders) and a single planting. It can be planted on the slopes and on the banks of reservoirs. A beautiful hedge is formed from the barberry. Due to the abundance of small spines, it will become impenetrable to animals. From dwarf varieties of barberry, you can create a magnificent border fence. The shrub lends itself well to artistic curly (topiary) haircuts. From it form balls, pyramids and other figures. This shade-tolerant plant is drought tolerant and wind tolerant, but does not like standing water in the soil.

Sprawling gooseberry bushes feel great under the crowns of trees. They calmly tolerate the drying of the soil and are resistant to weather conditions. Fruiting steadily. Ripe gooseberries are red in color. Their scattering colorfully stands out against a green background. An excellent amber jam is prepared from the fruits.

Blackberries can be planted in the garden. This melliferous plant in August is covered with raspberry-like black berries. They have a great sour taste. The branches of the shrub can reach a height of 2 meters, so it must be planted at a distance of at least 2 meters from other plants.

In a garden plot in the shade of trees, hazel will easily take root. The shrub is unpretentious and with minimal care will regularly produce generous harvests of hazelnuts. Cultivated varieties can have different leaf colors and decorate the garden.

Ornamental crops

The bright color of the leaves and flowers of the shrub will transform a gloomy garden area covered with shade.

Few plants can compare with the beauty and abundance of flowering with rhododendron. They are literally buried in flowers from June to July. The shrub has beautiful glossy dark green foliage. The color of flowers, reaching a diameter of 3.5-4 cm, can be very different. The plant does not like wet soil and is intolerant of winds. For rhododendron, neutral ground must be acidified with special peat. The shrub calmly tolerates early spring and late autumn frosts. But for the winter, most varieties should be covered.

Luxurious hydrangea attracts attention with the size of the inflorescence caps. Lush and openwork balls reach 25 cm in diameter. Hydrangea blooms from July to September, when other shrubs have already faded. Looks great alone or in composition with evergreen ornamental shrubs. The plant loves abundant watering, especially during the dry season. Not all varieties of hydrangea easily endure winter. Therefore, it is advisable to plant them closer to the buildings. Tree hydrangeas can withstand the harshest winter and deep shade. Ornamental shrubs for the garden are best planted on lawns, near terraces and garden arbors, at the entrance to the house or in the front garden.

Dogwood blossoms in early spring, in mid-March or early April, when there are no leaves on the trees yet. For a whole month, he will delight you with many lush pink or golden yellow flowers, densely covering the crown. Flowering dogwood looks amazing. Its early flowers attract many insects. This is an early honey plant. All summer, the shrub decorates the garden with emerald foliage, and by autumn it is covered with scarlet berries. They make wonderful jams and compotes. Dogwood is undemanding to growing conditions and is practically not susceptible to diseases. But for the winter it is recommended to cover it.

In spring, the garden will be decorated with golden large inflorescences of magnificent mahonia. Its flowers look great against the backdrop of shiny dark green leaves. By the end of summer, the bush is covered with purple berries that look like grapes. Mahonia is easy to care for. The plant tolerates pruning very well. So that the bushes are thick and do not stretch upwards, they are cut after flowering. Magonia is resistant to pests. Shrubs for the garden are used in the design of rocky slides, borders and undersized compositions. Magonia looks beautiful as a single plant.

Evergreen species

Shade-loving evergreen shrubs will decorate the garden all year round. They create hedges, borders, backstage, ornamental stripes (arabesques) and even garden figures.

Berry yew does not require careful maintenance. It is frost and wind resistant. Grows in poor soils and easily tolerates drought. A variety of shapes are formed from the shrub, they create a hedge. It looks good in a group and as a single plant. Yew berry does not tolerate excess moisture in the soil.

Holly holly looks like a real Christmas tree. During the winter holidays, it can be dressed up and turned into a Christmas tree. Viable plant easily takes root on different soils. During drought, it should be watered abundantly. It can grow even in deep shade. The branches of the shrub grow slowly and very densely. The plant is formed after the fruiting period. If you plan to collect fruits, then you need to plant several plants, as the shrub needs cross-pollination. Holly reaches its peak of beauty in late autumn. In winter, it is covered with green leaves and blood-red fruits.

Boxwood is a popular garden plant. It must be planted in places protected from the wind. The shrub is especially vulnerable to spring winds. Boxwood is resistant to heat and grows on any soil. If the soil is poor, then the bush will grow small, but very dense. Figures, borders and hedges are formed from boxwood. It is recommended to cover the plant for the winter. For spherical shapes, special boxes made of wood or plastic with holes are used. Hedges and borders can be covered with cloth. Bushes for the winter should be tied up so that they do not break under the weight of snow. With the onset of heat, the insulation must be quickly removed so that the boxwood does not rot and get sick.

Calmia is a favorite garden shrub in the US, Canada and European countries. The evergreen leaves of Calmia resemble bay leaves. The shrub blooms beautifully with large inflorescences of pale pink and white flowers. Calmia is drought tolerant but needs to be watered frequently during hot weather. She needs acidic soil.

How to choose a shrub

It is recommended to give preference to disease-resistant and unpretentious plants that do not require special care. Many species require regular pruning to control shape and size. If you do not want to do pruning, it is better to choose a plant that does not require it. In this case, it is necessary to take into account the maximum height of the variety so that the plant does not grow beyond the boundaries allocated for it.

The shrub must be adapted to the prevailing climatic conditions and soil. Under inappropriate conditions, the plant will be weak or die.

It is advisable to choose a plant that will decorate the garden all year round. The most suitable option would be an evergreen plant. Among deciduous shrubs, those that bloom profusely all summer, have attractive flowers, beautiful and tasty berries, and have a fragrant aroma, are especially popular. Such shrubs need to form a beautiful crown so that it looks aesthetically pleasing in winter.

Conifers and junipers

In addition to shrubs, coniferous plants can be used for the garden. Thuja is one of the most beloved plants of landscape designers. Interesting architectural forms are created from its crown. It is planted to create alleys and hedges. Dwarf types of thuja look better. Rounded dwarf shrub Danica grows very slowly. It is great for small garden areas.

Juniper can grow in the shade of trees. The plant will fill the garden plot with an amazing aroma that has healing properties. The horizontal juniper, creeping along the ground, looks interesting. It is planted to decorate alpine slides.

Gray spruce looks very romantic. Its needles can have shades from light green to blue and golden. In gardens, dwarf conifers are usually planted.

Shade-tolerant trees will help decorate a shady area. Large dissected maple leaves in autumn acquire a surprisingly beautiful color. The tree grows rapidly and forms a rounded spreading crown. Hornbeam and beech are also planted for landscaping. There are special garden varieties and forms. They are easy to cut and shape. They look great in a group and individually.

What to plant in a shady garden?

Published:

5 years ago

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A huge range of ornamental plants, which the flower market offers us, allows us to run wild fantasies, realize the most daring ideas and make any garden irresistible. Traditionally, it is customary to allocate the most illuminated areas for the most beautiful flower arrangements, because most ornamental crops require a sufficient amount of sunlight for normal growth and development. Sometimes we just forget about shady places in the garden, leave them unattended, not knowing what to plant in the shade. What to do if you got a plot located in a wooded area and characterized by a high degree of shading? To resort to ruthless cutting? Do not rush, because this very shadow is your great luck. It is here that you can create a secluded seating area by placing a bench or hanging a hammock. In such a place you can hide from the scorching sun on a hot summer day, be alone with yourself, think about the innermost. Compositions located in the shade have a special charm, mystery, charm. In this article, we will talk about which plants are suitable for growing in the shade, how you can successfully combine them with each other, what factors are important to consider in order to achieve success.

To begin with, let's look at what a shadow is and what it can be. Conventionally, two types of shading can be distinguished: full and partial shadow. In the first case, despite its categorical name, the site still receives a small amount of light, but no more than three hours a day. Partial shading means access to sunlight in the morning and evening, or constant lighting throughout the day, but through sparse foliage or other obstructions.

The choice of plants for shady areas directly depends on their relationship to light. There are two groups of plants that are tolerant to shading - shade-tolerant and shade-loving. Shade-tolerant plants can grow successfully both in sufficiently bright light and in its deficiency. Shade-loving species, by their nature, feel uncomfortable in the bright sun, look depressed, and lose their decorative effect. For normal development, they simply need shading. The range of such plants is quite large. Among them, there are sure to be those that will appeal to you and will be able to take their rightful place in your shady garden.

Let's start with ornamental shrubs. They allow you to create a multi-tiered structure of a real forest garden. Of the large shrubs suitable for planting in conditions of light deficiency common viburnum, chokeberry, common hazel . Among the medium-sized representatives of this group, one can distinguish white and blood-red derain, rowan-leaved fieldfare, viburnum-leaved vesicle . An excellent option for a see-through shadow would be Fortune 9 Euonymus0032 . With its unusual variegated foliage, it seems to highlight the darkest corners of the garden. Shade-tolerant varieties of the magnificent hydrangea will decorate the shady garden with their luxurious long flowering. At the base of the trees, thunberg barberry, hawthorn, privet will feel good. Shade-tolerant varieties of weigela, cotoneaster, honeysuckle, Japanese kerria are perfect. Particular attention should be paid to evergreen and deciduous rhododendrons is an excellent decoration for a twilight garden, however, as is the case with other crops, you should only choose varieties suitable for growing in each particular region. Shade-tolerant creepers are suitable for decorating tree trunks, walls of arbors, pergolas and fences located in the shade. There are few of them, not without reason they are so drawn to the sun, but for example, frost-resistant and shade-loving five-leaf ivy will come in handy in this case.

Shade-tolerant perennials form a larger group. Among other herbaceous plants, they stand out due to the unique foliage, which is distinguished by its original shape and color. As a rule, these are plants with large wide leaves of rich dark green color, often pubescent or decorated with relief venation. The most famous representative of shade-loving perennials is host . Twenty years ago, the world knew about six hundred varieties of this beautiful plant, but now their number has exceeded six thousand! Is this not an indicator of the growing popularity of shade-loving crops? Next to the hosts, even in the most deaf shade, ferns will look harmonious. This ancient plant, which has always been surrounded by so many legends, will bring a touch of mystery to your shady garden. An excellent example of perennials for full shade are periwinkle, kupena, ayuga (tenacious), hoof .

When choosing plants, in addition to lighting conditions, it is important to take into account other environmental factors that affect their growth and development. First of all, these are the moisture characteristics of the site, the degree of cultivation and the level of soil fertility. Most plants suitable for growing in the shade prefer loose, fertile, well-drained soils. Often shady areas of the garden are characterized by excessive moisture. In this case, thyroid darmer, large-leaved bruner, marsh marigold, some species Astilba, Rogersia, black cohosh . heart-leaved hauttuynia feels great in wet penumbra - one of the few variegated species that retains decorativeness with a lack of light.

Moisture deficiency conditions are usually created under old deciduous trees. In this case, plantings of early spring bulbous plants would be appropriate: snowdrops, muscari, scill, daffodils, colchicum . For landing in a dry shade, 9 are also suitable.0031 garden geraniums, geyhers, forget-me-nots, primroses, wormwood, phloxes.

When creating shadow compositions, it is important to correctly fit them into the existing landscape. A mixborder can be a great solution. If its one-sided view is implied, the tallest plant species should be placed in the background of the flower garden. In a situation where you can see the beauty of the mixborder from different angles, the largest plants are planted in the center of the composition. As such dominants, we can offer Volzhanka dioecious, meadowsweet, meadowsweet, large-flowered elecampane, various types of buzulnik . broadleaf bell, Rogersia, Darmer, geyher will help to add bright colors. The middle tier of a multi-level flower garden can be large hostas, large-leaved brunners, dicentras, various varieties of astilbe, garden geranium, aquilegia, common gout, oak anemone, Goryanka . The next tier can be placed bergenia, dicentra exclusive, nodule, stinkwort, gentian, Anderson Tradescantia . The lowest tier will be occupied by ground cover and creeping species: hoof, loosestrife, stonecrop, low primroses, as well as lily of the valley, undersized bulbous perennials.

Group plantings of various plants placed in large spots are very appropriate in shady places. It is important here to try to create harmonious combinations, given the size, color, shape and texture of the leaves.

A shady rockery would be a great idea. Ferns, creeping tenacious, geyhera and hostas look spectacular against the background of stones .

A pond will help create a favorable microclimate in the garden, give the site a special mood.

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