When it comes to plants for shade, there are many options. Here are the top five: Japanese holly, Canadian hemlock, Sky pencil holly, and Rhododendron. Whether you want something for shade or partial shade, there’s a shrub for you. Listed below are tips for planting each. You can also look for a particular cultivar or variety. After reading the list, choose your favorite.
Golden Guinea kerria
The Golden Guinea Japanese Kerria is a drought-tolerant deciduous shrub with showy gold flowers in spring and fall. It has lime green branches and smooth bark. This shrub’s upright spreading habit lends it a fine texture. Golden Guinea grows about two feet tall, and can be planted in the shade. However, it needs some protection from afternoon sun. If you plant this shrub in the shade, it will require less water and maintenance.
The golden guinea kerria’s flowers provide a splash of color in your landscape and are a focal point. The flower clusters are approximately 1.5 to 2 inches across and have five petals. The foliage is attractive with finely serrated edges. Its large, dense branches and flowers make it a great choice for a shady spot. And despite its low water needs, it still manages to produce flowers.
This tough shrub grows three to five feet tall and wide. It can grow to about 4 feet wide and five feet tall. It can be pruned every year for shape. Golden Guinea kerria is a perennial in USDA zones four through eight. It prefers moist, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and eight. It needs a one-inch watering every week. It should also receive an annual fertilizer. Golden Guinea kerria is easy to grow and can be shipped in soilless media and fertilized with a 9-month slow-release fertilizer.
The Golden Guinea Japanese Kerria grows to about five feet tall and six feet wide. Its stems are long and leggy. It is a good choice for planting under power lines, and it tolerates full sun but will produce pale flowers if exposed to too much heat. It grows at a moderate rate and can live for up to 40 years. In addition to its beautiful foliage, the Golden Guinea kerria is an easy-care shrub that thrives in shady environments.
Rhododendron
A common misconception about rhododendrons is that they are only suited for shade. Actually, they do well in shade, but they do not like to be deeply buried. In fact, they actually prefer partial shade. However, the sun can burn their leaves and ruin their blossoms. You can prune rhododendrons to keep their blooms looking lush and healthy.
When it comes to choosing the right plant for your garden, consider the amount of light the shrub needs. There are many rhododendron varieties that can thrive in the shade. The P.J.M group, for example, offers some of the best shade-bloomers. Another shade-loving deciduous shrub is the Royal azalea. Both types have fragrant pink blossoms and colorful fall foliage.
Several different kinds of azaleas are suitable for shade gardens. Although they belong to a different genus, they are in the same family as rhododendrons. Some of these bushes are very hardy, especially if the climate is temperate. Azaleas can be found growing wild in the southern United States. Depending on the type, they can last for decades and are incredibly decorative.
Another plant that grows well in shade is the Kerria. This shrub is known for its unique smell. Its flower clusters are one-inch wide and grow up to six feet. Kerria can tolerate light and heavy shade. In addition, Kerria is easy to grow and is tolerant of poor soil. It can reach a height of six feet and blooms in late winter or early spring.
If you have limited space in your garden, you can try a rhododendron. This shrub grows in a shaded area and produces softball-sized flowers. These shrubs are highly attractive to early-season pollinators. And if you don’t want to invest in a rhododendron tree, there are a number of other shade-tolerant varieties you can grow.
Canadian hemlock
Despite its name, Canadian hemlock trees can tolerate shady conditions. They are closely related to the poisonous hemlock plant, but are unrelated to the tree that bears the same name. They add beauty and character to a landscape with their small, attractive wood cones and low water requirements. They require medium soil with good drainage. They do not tolerate drought. So, choose one that can handle shade well.
The Canadian hemlock is an evergreen tree that does well in partial or full shade. Its canopy reaches 20 feet, but cultivated specimens are usually much smaller. Its needles are sometimes used to make vitamin C tea. A native of eastern North America, the Canadian hemlock grows in zones 4 through 9.
Aside from its evergreen foliage, Canadian hemlock can be used as a hedge, large tree, or ground cover. Its most common form is the Pendula form, which grows up to 15 feet tall and wide. Other forms include Horseford Contorted and Cole’s Prostate. The Jeddeloh form looks like a bird’s nest spruce. Another dwarf variety is the Aurea Compacta, which has yellow needles.
If you’re looking for the best shrub for shade, look no further than Canadian hemlock. It tolerates pruning better than most conifers, and is also suitable as a hedge. It also has a wide range of cultivars that are well suited for garden use. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to add a few more shrubs to your landscape. You’ll be glad you did!
Japanese holly
Japanese holly is a low-maintenance shrub that grows well in light, moist soil that is slightly acidic. It grows from 5 to 10 feet tall, and is tolerant of a wide range of soil types and conditions. It prefers full sun to partial shade, and gets three to six hours of direct sunlight per day. Its small, solitary white flowers attract bees and other pollinators, and produce a sweet-tasting, black fruit in the fall.
A compact Japanese holly has a globe-like shape and nearly no maintenance. Its leaves are dark green with a small white center, and its young stems are purple, adding color and curb appeal to the landscape. It is suitable for groundcovers, foundation plantings, and formal gardens. This evergreen shrub prefers slightly acidic soil, and needs minimal pruning and fertilization during the growing season.
A variety of Japanese holly is known as the sky pencil holly, and it has an architectural form. Its smooth-edged leaves make it ideal for tight spaces, and its black berries are a favorite among birds. Moreover, it requires little maintenance and can be pruned during the dormant season. And unlike most hollies, it doesn’t need pruning. The leaves are easy to prune and can even be done during the winter months when the tree is dormant.
Ilex crenata is another great shade shrub. Its small, wavy-toothed leaves resemble boxwood, but it is resistant to disease. It produces tiny white flowers and fruits in late summer. It is a slow-growing shrub that can grow to be a small upright tree. Another great choice for a shade-tolerant garden is the Japanese holly. Its foliage is evergreen and it can grow to 10 feet tall.
Hicks yew
The best shrub for shade can be found in the woods, and Hicks yew is no exception. This large evergreen shrub is drought-tolerant once established. The plant does require one inch of water per week during hot, dry periods. Hicks yews do not need much fertilizer, but you can use a slow-release fertilizer to encourage faster growth.
The evergreen Hicks yew has dense foliage and glossy dark green, soft needles. It has red fruits that ripen in the fall. These berries are toxic if eaten. If you need a shade-tolerant shrub, look for the seedless male ‘H.M. Eddie.’ This variety grows to be about 10 feet tall and three to four feet wide.
When choosing a shrub for shade, consider the size and shape of the area. Hicks yew grows to be eight to twelve feet tall, and it can be pruned into an ornamental topiary. It can also be used as a backdrop, and it has flat needles that look like ferns. Hicks yew is also a fast-growing plant and can be kept in a small, narrow hedge for several years.
The Hicks yew is one of the best shrubs for shade. The leaves are small and light green in spring, with ferns on them in winter. In fall, the leaves turn red with drupes. These are toxic to mammals, but birds love the fruit, which are edible. Hicks yews grow to eighteen feet by maturity.