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Shrubs for semi shade


15 Partial Shade Shrubs For Your Yard Or Garden

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If you’re looking for partial shade shrubs for your yard or garden, you’re in the right place! In this post, I’ll give you a list of my favorite bushes that grow in partial shade.



Some people think that if they don’t have much sun, then they can’t grow any shrubs in their garden.

This is simply not true. I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the amount of partial shade shrubs you’ll have to choose from!

You don’t have to sacrifice color or flowers either. Many of the partial shade bushes on this list have spectacular blooms or vivid foliage to bring color to those darker corners.

Read on to learn about my favorite bushes and shrubs that thrive in part shade areas.

What Shrubs Grow In Partial Shade?

If your yard doesn’t get much sunlight, don’t despair! There are plenty of good bushes for partial shade, and many of them even flower!

So whether you have a northern exposure, or your garden only gets morning or evening sun. You should have no problem finding lovely shrubbery to fill your space.

15 Partial Shade Shrubs For Your Garden

The bushes in the list below will perform well in a wide range of climates. So, no matter where you live, you should be able to find some great options.

1. Hydrangea

When it comes to finding bushes for partial shade, hydrangea is one of the best. It’s known for the large, showy flowers that are good for arrangements or drying.

The late spring and summer blooms can be anywhere from white to pink, purple, magenta, or blue, depending on the variety.

There are tons of different species and hybrids. Some are as short as 36”, while others can get up to 12’ tall.

Various types of these iconic shrubs thrive in almost any zone, ranging from 3 through 10. Learn all about how to grow hydrangeas here.

Hydrangeas are flowering bushes for shade

2. Enkianthus campanulatus

These beautiful flowering partial shade bushes are tough, adaptable, and hardy. This Japanese native grows well in zones 4-7, reaching heights of 6-8’ tall.

It has bell shaped blossoms that are produced in clusters, and transition from white to pink or maroon. This habit sometimes earns them the name Redvein Enkianthus.

Blooming in late spring to early summer, and transitioning to vivid red and gold foliage in the fall, this shrub can bring a lot of color to shady gardens.

3. Spirea

These small shrubs have beautiful blue-green foliage and are perfect for partial shade. Growing only 24-35” high, they are one of the shorter options on this list.

Spireas are particularly cold hardy, and will thrive in colder climates anywhere from zones 2 to 7.

It blooms from mid spring to early summer, with clumps of delicate tiny flowers that remind me of little umbrellas. These pink or white blossoms attract lots of bees and butterflies.

Spirea are good shade shrubs

4. Dogwood

One of the largest partial shade shrubs on this list, dogwoods grow anywhere from 12-15’ hight. It does well in the cool to moderate climates of zones 4 to 8.

These classic bushes produces nice white flower clusters in late spring to early summer. Once the blooms fade, lots of small white berries will form, which attract birds.

There are several types to choose from. I especially love the variety that has beautiful variegated foliage, which brightens my shade gardens throughout the season.

5. Bush Honeysuckle

Known for attracting pollinators, like bees and butterflies, bush honeysuckles are good shrubs for shady areas.

Reaching heights of 10-12’ tall, they are hardy in zones 4-8. The pink or yellow flowers bloom in late spring to early summer.

Mine gets yellow blossoms in early summer, and it really brightens up the shady corner it’s planted in. Plus they get great fall color on the foliage to extend their beauty.

Bush honeysuckle are large shrubs that grow in shade

6. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis)

Another tall shrub for partial shade areas, witch hazel gets 10-15’ high. You can grow it anywhere from zone 3 to 8, as long as you keep it in evenly moist soil.

This plant has a rather unusual blooming habit. Depending on the species, the yellow or orange flowers open in either late winter or late fall.

The foliage is also very colorful in the fall, adding a bright spot to your garden at the end of the season.

7. Barberry

With their stunning, dark red leaves, barberries are great shrubs for shade. They get inconspicuous yellow flowers in mid spring, but are more remarkable for their foliage.

Some varieties have golden yellow leaves, which creates a wonderful contrast when interplanted with the red ones.

Not only do they have lovely foliage, they are covered in bright red berries in the fall. I love watching the birds feed on them during the winter.

This tough shrub does well in many climates, thriving in zones 3-10. They can reach up to 48” tall, but the dwarf varieties stay smaller – between 24-36”.

I’m a huge fan of them. But some people don’t like them because they have prickly thorns like a rose bush, which can be annoying.

Barberries are colorful bushes for shade

8. Boxwood

When these partial to full shade evergreen shrubs are planted alone, they can be a bit boring with no flowers. But it makes a gorgeous backdrop for some of the blooming ones on this list.

The year-round greenery and thick foliage can create a good fence alternative, and is an excellent addition to any garden.

Boxwood grows up to 6-8’ tall, and does best in the temperate to warmer areas of growing zones 6-8.

9. Rhododendron & Azalea Shrubs

Some of my favorite partial shade flowering shrubs for zones 4-8, rhododendrons and azaleas come in lots of different colors and sizes.

The early to mid spring blooms range from purple to pink, red, yellow, or white. The bush heights range from the dwarf hybrids at 24-36″, while large ones can reach 36-48″

When not in bloom, the beautiful, shiny foliage makes a fantastic background for other plants.

They thrive in acidic soil, which makes them a natural pairing for the shady areas under pine or other fir trees.

Azalea is one of the best partial shade shrubs

10. Mock Orange

Not related to citrus in any way, mock orange makes an excellent shrub for shade gardens. It blooms in late spring to early summer, and the white flowers smell AH-mazing.

These large specimens would make great shrubs for privacy, or a nice backdrop for other plants.

This vibrant green bush grows 8-10’ tall, and is quite full for optimal coverage. It does well in a range of temperate areas, primarily zones 4 to 8.

11. Roses

Believe it or not, roses can be excellent shrubs for shade gardens. Some varieties will not only tolerate partial shade, but they will thrive and blossom there.

I grow a few types in part shade, and they bloom profusely. I love how bright the flowers look in those darker areas too.

There are many, many different species to choose from, with tons of different flower colors. Their hardiness ranges from zones 4-11, depending on the type.

You can also find them in any height that you need. Small varieties start out as short as 24”, while others can get as tall as 20’.

Related Post: 17 Pink Flowers For Your Garden (Annuals & Perennials)

Roses are excellent shrubs for partial sun

12. Elderberry

If you’re looking for medium sized shrubs that do well in partial shade, look no further. Elderberries are native to most of the northern hemisphere, and they do well in zones 3-9.

These 8-10’ tall bushes produce sweet smelling white flower clusters in late spring and early summer, which the pollinators adore.

In the fall, they get beautiful black berries. Birds love them, and they are edible for humans too! In fact, the yummy berries are a common ingredient in jams, wines, and desserts.

13. Weigela

I moved my weigela to a shady spot several years ago, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that they bloom even better there than they did in the full sun.

These part to full shade shrubs are fairly small, growing 36-48”. You can also find dwarf sizes, which are only 12-18” tall. For even more variety, look for the ones with variegated leaves.

The light pink or fuschia flowers put on their show in late spring to early summer in zones 4-9, and provide a blast of amazing color.

They can get a bit leggy with age, so prune them in early summer after they are done blooming to keep them fuller.

Weigelas are great partial to full shade shrubs

14. Viburnum

This bushy shrub is great for a privacy screen in shady areas, growing 8-10’ tall with lots of branching.

There are several species of viburnum that grow from zones 2 to 9, and all of them are tough plants that can survive in trouble areas.

In late spring and early summer, they have balls of small white flowers. They also provide a splash of color in fall with their bright foliage.

The dark blue berries, which are produced in autumn, are great for attracting birds to your garden.

15. Camelia

If you want gorgeous flowering bushes for partial shade, camelias are for you. There are hundreds of different species and cultivars, so you have lots of options.

These lovely shrubs can grow to a height of 4-12’ tall, and the varieties bloom at different times of year. They can have white, pink, red, or even yellow blossoms.

They do better in warmer climates (zones 7 to 11), and require consistently moist soil.

Camelias are beautiful flowering shrubs for shade

Don’t get discouraged by a lack of sun in your yard, there are plenty of beautiful partial shade shrubs to choose from. Whether you are looking for a privacy screen, pollinator attractors, or some interesting color, these shade loving bushes will serve you well.

Recommended Reading

More About Shade Gardening

Do you have any favorite partial shade shrubs that you would add to this list?

29 Best Shrubs for Shade Gardens

By

Vanessa Richins Myers

Vanessa Richins Myers

Vanessa Richins Myers is a seasoned horticulturist, writer, and educator with over 10 years of training and experience as a professional horticulturist and gardener. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in horticulture, with an emphasis in landscape design and urban horticulture. She volunteers as a community garden specialist.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process

Updated on 06/15/22

The Spruce

It can be tough designing a garden in a shady area. You have to make sure you choose the right shrubs for the conditions. Without the proper amount of sun, flowering shrubs may fail to produce blossoms or bloom poorly, and many shrubs will perform poorly overall. Deep shade can even kill your plants unless they are species that naturally grow in shade. The following plants are able to grow in at least part shade, and some can handle full shade.

Warning

Many shrubs that grow in shade are toxic, including:

How to Design a Garden for Partial Shade

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. Ribes alpinum. Missouri Botanical Garden

  2. Aucuba japonica. North Carolina State University Extension

  3. Rhododendron. Missouri Botanical Garden

  4. Forrester, M B. Pediatric Nandina domestica ingestions reported to poison centers. Human & experimental toxicology vol. 37,4 (2018): 338-342. doi:10.1177/0960327117705429

  5. Hydrangea blooms turn colors based on soil pH levels. College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences, UGA Cooperative Extension

  6. Pieris japonica. North Carolina State University Extension

  7. Idaho Panhandle National Forests - Learning Center.

  8. Aesculus pavia. North Carolina State University Extension

  9. Skimmia japonica. Oregon State University, College of Agricultural Sciences - Department of Horticulture

  10. Toyon, Heteromeles arbutifolia. California Native Plant Society, Calscape

What shrubs grow in the shade, names, photos, characteristics

Dacha owners want to grow different plants, including large trees that shade part of the area. The desire to beautifully decorate the territory of the site raises the question of which shrubs grow in the shade, which herbs and flowers will serve as companions for them, and help create original compositions in a semi-shaded area.

Contents

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Light-loving crops, when planted in a shaded area, feel uncomfortable, their growth and development slow down, budding on them is weak, the color of the leaves becomes faded, or even completely changes. nine0003

Shade-loving ones can hardly stand bright light, suffer from the sun's rays that burn the foliage, and eventually dry up.

Does the intensity of the shade matter

Which shrubs grow in the shade is the main question that we will consider, but before proceeding to it, it should be clarified that the shade can be different. According to the quality of the shade, the choice of plants is made.

Shady corners of the site can be divided into several types:

Are there any advantages to a shaded area?

The range of plants used to improve a shaded area is wide, but to get the desired result, you need to take into account: nine0008

  • too poor soils will need to be enriched with nutrients, when choosing them, the acidity of the soil should be taken into account;
  • soil moisture level, for shade-tolerant deciduous shrubs, it is important that the soil remains moist in hot weather;
    the need to equip a drainage system for too wet and heavy soils. Pebbles or pieces of brick laid on the bottom of the planting holes can be used as drainage.

    • Depending on the parameters of the shaded area, it can be wet or dry. To select suitable shrubs, you need to determine the type of shade and select varieties accordingly. nine0003

    If the shaded area is occupied by large fruit or ornamental trees, then the shade will be dry, because large plants have a strong root system and are able to pump water out of the soil, and with it nutrients. Wet shade is formed on dense soils in the absence of drainage.

    What varieties of shade-tolerant shrubs are planted in the garden

    The list of plants that do well in shady areas is quite long and allows you to apply different techniques to create different styles of landscape design. Shrubs are used for the following purposes:

    Ornamental shrubs, which are commonly used in landscape design, are divided into 2 groups:

    Let's watch a useful video about which shrubs grow in the shade:

    How to choose shade-tolerant ornamental shrubs

    To determine which shade-tolerant plants will suit the site, study their characteristics and visual assessment of the photos on which they are depicted.

    Let's present the most popular varieties that surprise with their decorative effect and attract with relative ease of care.

    Rhododendron

    This representative of the Heather family looks beautiful during the flowering period, pink or lilac petals of its inflorescences, densely covering the branches, have a bright color. Dense, fleshy leaves, oval or ovoid in shape, look attractive. nine0003

    Rhododendrons are very hardy, easily enduring conditions of heavy shading, in which other species will wither and eventually die. However, for bushes, it is preferable to choose semi-shaded areas with drained soil. It is advisable to provide for the possibility of watering plantings during a period of severe drought.

    Rhododendrons are used for planting along garden paths, they look great against the background of conifers or building walls.

    Garden jasmine or mock orange

    Very popular plant, readily grown by gardeners. The view is attractive, the flowers are bright, large, have an amazing aroma, which fills the entire garden during the flowering period.

    Shrub does not require quality soil, can adapt to life in any conditions. The plant is frost-resistant, in summer it can withstand prolonged drought. The procedure for caring for jasmine practically consists in correct and fairly frequent pruning and pruning of bushes. Dense plantings are used to create hedges. nine0003

    But if you want to admire the lush flowering of mock orange, then you can observe it if the bushes are planted in partial shade, in conditions of deep shade, flowering will not be plentiful. In addition, many varieties of garden jasmine have been bred today; when choosing, you should take into account the peculiarities of the climatic conditions of your area of ​​​​residence.

    Cotoneaster

    Ornamental plant resistant to adverse living conditions, it can be grown on shady areas, even in cities where the air is characterized by increased gas content. nine0003

    Cotoneaster branches are densely covered with dark green leaves that turn red in autumn. The bushes have a beautiful dense crown, designers prefer to use it when creating a hedge.

    In addition, bushes lend themselves well to shaping. When creating garden compositions, both erect and creeping plant varieties are used.

    Flowering shrub, flower petals in different varieties may be white or pink, the flowers themselves may be collected in racemes or solitary. Cotoneaster fruits are bright, black or red. nine0003

    Gotensia

    Shrub considered one of the most common and popular in the world. In the conditions of the middle lane, dozens of frost-resistant varieties are grown.

    Hydrangea is planted in sunny and shaded areas, provided that there is enough nutrient soil. It is necessary to provide for the possibility of irrigation, because. hydrangea is very sensitive to soil moisture.

    The plant is characterized by long flowering, and the flowers at different stages of flowering have a different color, at first the petals of hydrangea paniculata lettuce, then white, at the end of flowering they become a delicate pink color. nine0003

    Kalynolistny vesicle

    This shrub is the undoubted leader in the number of varieties, in its description they usually emphasize decorativeness, unpretentiousness, suitability for growing in urban conditions are distinguished among the quality characteristics.

    A spherical vesicle bush covered with corrugated leaves and lush clusters of flowers looks luxurious, the seeds of the plant ripening in boxes look no less attractive against the background of the leaves. Among the latest achievements of breeders, it should be noted new varieties that are distinguished by a unique foliage color: purple and golden yellow. nine0003

    Derain white

    The plant attracts attention with beautiful leaves with a white border along the edge. The bright color of the leaves does not fade in the shade; by autumn, pink and apricot shades are added to the color scheme of the leaves. The decorativeness of the plant is not lost in winter, its red shoots look very bright against the background of snow.

    Deren is not picky about the quality of lighting and is resistant to winter frosts, but it needs moist nutrient soil for active growth.

    Some turf varieties are tall, but shaping their shape and size is not at all difficult, the plant tolerates pruning well. nine0003

    For more information about the best shade-tolerant garden plants, watch the video:

    Does it make sense to consider planting fruit-bearing shrubs in shady areas

    Yes, some fruit-bearing shrubs can be grown in shady conditions. Consider the descriptions of the most unpretentious plants.

    Honeysuckle

    This fruit-bearing shrub owes its popularity to its hardiness, it can grow normally in shady areas, it is not demanding on soil quality, it is resistant to polluted air, which allows it to be grown in urban conditions. nine0003

    There are a lot of varieties of honeysuckle today, so the shrub can have quite large differences in the color of the leaves and flowers, the fruits can also differ in shape and ripening time.

    It should be remembered that some varieties of honeysuckle, for example, Honeysuckle, are suitable for growing in good light, others (Tatarskaya) withstand moderate shading well.

    Honeysuckle is used for single plantings, vertical gardening, for arranging hedges. nine0003

    Barberry

    The plant is fast growing and highly resistant to frost. The bushes do not require special care, the plant can withstand even severe droughts.

    The leaves of the barberry are small, beautifully shaped, green in summer, changing color to burgundy in autumn.

    The Thunberg barberry variety has a burgundy leaf color throughout the summer, and the Thunberg barberry Goldalita has golden yellow leaves.

    Barberry berries have a pleasant aroma and excellent taste and are used in cooking, especially in oriental cuisine recipes. nine0003

    Gooseberry

    It can be grown in sunny or shaded areas. The plant does not need frequent watering, it easily tolerates short droughts.

    Gooseberries in the process of ripening acquire a yellow or reddish hue, become translucent.

    The fruits are used in cooking, they are used to make compotes and jams.

    Which companion plants can be planted in shady corners of the garden

    Planting shrubs alone is not enough to create beautiful corners in the shady part of the garden. nine0003

    You will need to select small plants that will allow you to maintain the decorativeness of the site throughout the summer season.

    Let's note the most popular ones and give a brief description of them.

    Climbing plants in natural conditions are undergrowth plants, so there is no doubt about their shade tolerance. Liana-like are used to decorate arbors and pergolas, verandas.

    Popular plants in this group are parthenocissus, kirkazon and knyazhik. They grow quickly and are able to form dense thickets. The attention of the owners of suburban areas is often attracted by girlish grapes, whose leaves turn bright red-orange hues in autumn. nine0003

    Ferns, depending on the varieties, differ in size, but their leaves have a clear graphic and volume, which allows you to get a background for flowering shrubs.

    No less interesting in compositions with shrubs are hostas.

    They withstand the shading of the site. It is noteworthy that the plant is represented by numerous varieties, gardeners can pick up bushes with a height of 10 to 60 cm. Hostas go well with ferns. nine0003

    Ground cover plants are planted to create a carpet under the trees. Saxifrage, periwinkle, lungwort are decorative, develop well in the shade.

    Shade is tolerated from flowering annual crops:

    Bulbs can also be planted in the shade of the trees, as crocuses, daffodils and tulips begin to bloom before the trees have even leafed out. nine0003

    Although most cereals prefer the sun. in the penumbra take root:

    Considering which shrubs grow in the shade, we remembered the most popular plants that require minimal care. But in order to get not only decorative greenery, but active flowering and fruiting, of course, you will need to organize proper plant care.

    Shade-loving perennial garden shrubs, photos and names

    It happens that on the territory of a dacha or garden area there are shaded places. And yet there are not so many well-lit places. The reasons for the fact that there are many shaded places on the site can be very different. So, for example, shrubs and trees grow on it in large numbers. They, of course, give delicious fruits and berries, but they take up a lot of space and cast a rather voluminous shadow. Therefore, the plants growing under them are almost completely devoid of sunlight. However, few summer residents do not want the entire summer cottage to be beautiful and originally designed. The way out of this situation is very simple. So, in shady places, you only need to plant shade-loving perennial shrubs for the garden. nine0003

    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. nine0003

    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. nine0003

    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. nine0003

    Gooseberry

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

    Hazel

    This plant prefers to grow only on non-acid soil. If the soil is acidic, then it is recommended to add sand to it. Quite tasty nuts grow on hazel. nine0003

    Shade-tolerant ornamental foliage plants

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

    Forsythia

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

    Euonymus

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

    Learn more