When planting a shrub for shade in your yard, you want to choose an evergreen, climber, or native plant. Some varieties are suited to the shade, and others are better suited to the sun. Here are some shrubs to consider:
Evergreen shrubs
If you’re looking for a shrub that will tolerate shade, you might consider a goldenrod. This small shrub is characterized by leathery leaves and tubular flowers. It produces blue-black berries that are edible and attractive to wildlife. Goldenrod shrubs grow up to 10 feet in height and 6 feet wide. Goldenrods’ leaves are green with a full, deep center and yellow or gold tips. In addition to their beauty, goldenrods do not require a lot of water.
Another great choice is the Japanese maple. Its foliage is speckled and leathery. In spring, it produces tiny purple flowers that contrast with the glossy green foliage. In summer, the branches bear large red fruits. The leaves remain green through winter, and they are attractive to wildlife. The Japanese maple is particularly attractive in areas near water because it produces large, bluish berries. It’s also very drought resistant, and grows well even in shade.
The Japanese maple is another evergreen shrub that is well-suited to shade. It grows to around 1.5 meters in height and is a great choice for partial shade. They can be pruned each year to shape their branches. Their foliage will last for years, and they tolerate various pH levels and soil types. They’re also drought-resistant and require little maintenance. Soil pH levels don’t affect the health of evergreen shrubs.
The sweet box is a compact shrub that will grow tall enough to protect the house from the winter. Its leaves are smooth and shiny and it tolerates poor light and weather. American holly is another shade-tolerant evergreen, although it should be planted in full sun. Other varieties of holly are the red twig dogwood and the yaupon holly. They are shade-tolerant and come in a range of different shapes.
While there are different types of evergreen shrubs, choosing the right one for your garden is essential. Choose a variety that complements other plants in the area. Consider the location of the shrub and what it will get from the shade. Its foliage color will affect the overall appearance of the garden, so consider where it will grow. A good choice will be a blend of both. In addition to evergreens, you can also use deciduous and semi-deciduous trees.
There are three main classes of evergreen shrubs: broadleaved evergreens, which are cold-hardy but often prone to desiccation. They do not require much water, but they can survive a dry shade and produce a dense evergreen carpet. The most attractive and popular of all the evergreen shrubs are the olive trees and Mrs. B.R. Both are shade-tolerant, but do best in part-shade.
Climbers
Climbing hydrangeas can be a beautiful accent to a backyard or patio. These plants grow quickly and can tolerate moderate shade. The climbers are often very fragrant, and you may want to grow several of them to fill a corner or accent a fence. If you have trouble growing hydrangeas in your yard, you can buy a climber kit and plant several of them in a row.
Most shade loving climbers are found on fences or walls, so you can plant them in a garden or patio. They require rich, moist soil and an annual mulch of garden compost. Shade loving plants need additional watering during dry spells, so plan accordingly. They will grow well in an area where there is a rainshadow, but they don’t like very sunny spots. They prefer a 45cm distance from the base of a fence or wall.
For shade, try a tri-purpose vine like Pyracantha. This shrub is good for a fence or wall and can grow to be trained with wires. This vine will make your garden look lovely throughout the spring. A picture of this plant shows two-coloured berries. It’s an excellent choice for any shaded area. You’ll be amazed at how quickly it grows and how well it tolerates partial shade.
If you can tolerate shade, you’ll want to plant a clematis. It’s one of the fastest growing and most beautiful climbers and can thrive in a shady spot. Clematis armandii, for instance, has dark green foliage and produces pure white flowers in late winter and early spring. They’re also good for covering large walls with shade. These plants can also be self-seeding.
Pyracantha is a great vine for growing on a wall, and its large leaves make it an excellent choice for climbing in a shady space. This vine grows up fences, and once established, will self-cling. Its foliage provides year-round interest. Pyracantha can be hardy and require a lot of care. Unlike other vines, Pyracantha produces bold yellow, red, or orange flowers.
Another vine that thrives in shady conditions is ivy. This plant can grow up to 15 feet in height and can thrive in very dark shade. Besides its sweet-scented white blooms, ivy can also survive in partial sun. Unlike roses, it doesn’t need full sun to grow and will grow happily in partial shade. In fact, it’s a great choice for shady areas of a garden.
Honeysuckle is another wonderful choice. This vine will grow over 30 feet and will bloom continuously from April to August. The flower clusters will be very fragrant and will last for several months. You can plant the honeysuckle in a shaded area of the garden, or plant it against a wall or fence. Honeysuckle is a very popular plant, and you can find it in gardens all over the world.
Natives
Shade-loving plants like Plectranthus argentatus can be a good choice for shady areas of your yard. Its velvety grey leaves contrast with its dark green foliage. Although it will tolerate shade, this shrub may not bloom as profusely as plants that are planted in full sun. You may want to consider a different type of plant if the shade is not too severe. Here are some suggestions to try:
Heuchera. A variety of deciduous and evergreen azaleas are available for your landscape. Although popular evergreen azaleas are often used as landscape shrubs, these shrubs provide little benefit to native wildlife. Mountain laurel is a broadleaf evergreen that blooms in June. This shrub has attractive bark and bears white flowers. It grows to a height of seven feet and can be divided into several cultivars. Doghobble likes moist soil, and can replace Andromeda if you don’t have the space for its taller cousins.
Spicebush is another native shrub that can thrive in shade. Its small yellow flowers are a great substitute for Forsythia, and it produces red berries during the winter. Its leaves attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It is an attractive shrub that can be grown in both shady and full sun areas. The leaves also attract a variety of native species of butterflies. The spicebush swallowtail butterfly is among the most popular among them.
Many shrubs native to North America are suitable for shade gardens. Their small size makes them ideal for low borders, containers, and small gardens. They are incredibly adaptable and are easy to grow and maintain. Compared to their non-native counterparts, many native shrubs have more attractive foliage and are not as invasive. Then there are the small trees and other shrubs that can grow as large as twenty feet. So, what are you waiting for? Start searching for the perfect native shrub for your shade garden!
Shrubs are an integral part of a well-designed garden. They can be a focal point or a backdrop, or mix and match with other plants and shrubs. Native shrubs are great choice for any type of garden because of their versatility. They provide year-round interest as well as attractive fall foliage and interesting berries. In addition, native plants attract butterflies and hummingbirds, which will surely enhance your landscaping.
Sweet Pepperbush is an excellent choice for woodland gardens. Its tall, upright racemes of fragrant white flowers will bloom in summer. Its foliage turns a brilliant yellow in the fall. Despite its short height, this shrub is suitable for containers, small spaces and backyards. Native to eastern United States, Sweet Pepperbush grows in zones 3-9 and requires very little space. It is suitable for areas where shade is a problem.
