Listed below are several blooming shrubs for partial shade. These plants will thrive in partial sun, dappled shade, or intermittent shade. Light shade shrubs need three to five hours of direct sunlight each day, while partial shade shrubs can tolerate only two hours of direct sunlight daily. Full shade shrubs prefer the shadow of an evergreen tree or structure to receive the most sunlight. These shade plants rarely receive direct sunlight, and usually have white blooms.
Coralberries
A popular shade-tolerant blooming shrub, coralberries and snowberries produce tiny white flowers and lovely berry-like fruits. Snowberries are host to a day-flying moth that feeds on snowberry leaves and berries. Coralberries, on the other hand, grow to a height of four feet and produce white or pink flowers and coral fruits. Despite their unusual appearance, the coralberries make unique and attractive hedges.
The coralberry has a fibrous taproot and ground-level stolons that can grow quite dense. It is adaptable to most soil types and is equally happy growing in partial sun and full shade. It will bear fruit both in full sun and partial shade. One drawback of coralberry is its late-flowering period in Minnesota, which limits its fruit production. However, it does not suffer from serious insect problems.
Another shade-tolerant flowering shrub is Kerria. It produces masses of yellow flowers in April and May. It requires little care and tolerates heavy shade. It is relatively invasive in some regions, but otherwise a perfect choice for partial-sun gardens. But be aware of the kerria’s habit: it can grow very quickly, reaching six feet in height in just a few years.
Snowberries
If you have a partial-sun garden, you may consider adding a snowberry shrub. This plant has a natural vase-shaped shape and lush branches. It grows to around 8 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Best suited for partial-sun gardens, snowberries produce ornamental berries and are great for adding interest to gardens in a cold climate. Although the fruits of this plant are not edible, the stems are attractive when arranged in fall arrangements.
Native to North America, Snowberries are a highly sought-after native shrub. They bloom early in the summer and set huge berries that persist throughout the winter. The Pinky Promise ™ Snowberry has many positive characteristics, not least of which are its unique pink berries. These tiny gumball-like berries add a fun and unexpected element to the shrub’s appearance. These berries are the perfect addition to any garden!
While most snowberries are poisonous to humans, they are a favorite food of many birds. These birds, including grouse, love the snowberry fruit. Some native species and livestock will eat the berries, too. In fact, the seeds from snowberries are responsible for the propagation of this shrub. Ultimately, snowberries are a great choice for gardens that get partial sun and a little shade.
Coralberry ‘Edward Goucher’
A great addition to any landscape, Coralberry ‘Edward Gouchers’ are native to the lower 48 contiguous U.S. and grow well in both full sun and partial shade. The rounded blooms are white with pink blush, but the half-breed variety is hardier and even tolerates a chilly winter. This plant will not bloom if grown in a part-shade location, but it will regrow the following spring. The Coralberry ‘Edward Goucher’ will need regular watering once established, but it will eventually become drought-tolerant.
A beautiful shrub for partial sun conditions, Coralberry ‘Edward Gouchers’ will be a welcome addition to your landscape. Not only is this plant easy to grow, but it requires almost no maintenance at all. This plant grows up to five feet tall and requires minimal care. Once it begins to bloom, you can cut the shrub back to about three-fourths of its mature height to encourage more flowers. While the Coralberry ‘Edward Goucher’ prefers partial sun, it can tolerate moderate shade but cannot survive in dense, shade.
A great choice for partial sun gardens, the coralberry ‘Edward Goucher” has 16 blooms during the spring and summer seasons. This shrub can even flower in winter, allowing you to enjoy colorful flowers from spring until the end of the summer season. Another attractive shrub for partial shade gardens is the mountain laurel, which can tolerate temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees F.
Smooth hydrangea ‘crotonifolia’
Planting smooth hydrangea in partial sun or full sun is easy. It grows to a mature height of three to five feet and needs supplemental irrigation during the growing season. Smooth hydrangeas require higher moisture and humidity and benefit from mulching. This plant grows slowly in cooler climates, but it may die back during very cold winters. These plants are also sensitive to winds, and prefer humid areas.
There are many cultivars of smooth hydrangea available in the trade. One of the most popular cultivars is ‘Annabelle,’ which has large, uniform bloom clusters. The plant grows to about four or five feet and has an attractive, natural appearance. This shrub is often grown as a border, space filler, or centerpiece. Its fragrance is very appealing when inspected up close.
This hydrangea can tolerate part shade but prefers partial sunlight. They prefer morning or early morning sun, but need some shade during the afternoon. A good general rule of thumb for planting hydrangeas is to plant them three to four feet apart. The spacing between shrubs depends on the size of the shrub at maturity. Plant hydrangeas in autumn or early spring, before the temperatures reach high summer. Once planted in the ground, make sure to water thoroughly and regularly, and then add soil.
Slender Deutzia ‘crotonifolia’
If you are looking for a low maintenance perennial for your garden, you may want to try Slender Deutzia ‘Crotonifolia’. This shrub is a perfect addition to a shrub border, Victory Garden, or Backyard Orchard. The flowers are delightful and attract pollinators, including honey bees. They can tolerate partial shade and are perfect for planting in a hillside garden or on a patio.
This plant grows to be two to five feet tall with gracefully arching branches. The flowers of this plant are white, fragrant, and arranged in clusters. The blooms are borne on long stalks of leaves. The stems are covered with thin, arching buds that resemble bells or stars. This plant is native to Japan but has been introduced to North-Central and South China, Alabama, and Georgia.
If you want to plant a Slender Deutzia in partial sun, you should choose a cultivar that tolerates the heat and partial shade. The deutzia species is native to Asia and did not originate in Europe. Thunberg, a Swedish botanist, introduced it to Europe during the late eighteenth century. He later wrote about it in Flora japonica (1784).
Aucuba japonica ‘crotonifolia’
A medium-sized shrub, Aucuba japonica ‘Crotonifolia’ has oblong, leathery leaves that are lightly serrated and smooth. Leaves are dark green with numerous yellow spots. Small clusters of yellow flowers are produced on the lower half of the plant. Despite its small size, this plant is able to grow in any climate and can be grown in containers.
The Aucuba genus is divided into two different types of trees. The male and female plants have separate branches and flowers. Male flowers are clustered at the end of the branch and have four purplish-brown petals. Female flowers appear in smaller clusters and are located in the axils of the leaves. Female flowers turn bright red in the fall and winter.
This plant has a wide range of flower types. Aucuba japonica, also known as Japanese laurel, grows best in partial shade. It has a glossy, leathery appearance and is a good choice for gardens in a shaded area. It grows up to 15 feet tall and will tolerate partial shade. It will produce red berries and will tolerate high winds.
Witch hazel
A popular garden plant, witch hazel blossoming shrubs are perfect for adding color and fragrance to your landscaping. They can be grown in pots but are best rooted in the ground. They thrive in USDA hardiness zones three through nine and tolerate a range of soil conditions. They are susceptible to drought and acidic conditions, so make sure they get a spot in your landscape that receives partial sun.
A good choice for a sun-partial garden is one that is free of deer and other pests. Deer don’t usually eat witch hazels, but some species are vulnerable to leaf blight and mildew. Witch hazel blooming shrubs for partial sun are a low-maintenance choice. Just remember to prune regularly, or the blooming period may last several months.
The witch hazel shrub requires consistent moisture. It does not grow well in tooggy soil, and it needs regular watering to keep it looking its best. During rainy seasons, they should get enough water, but they should be watered if the top layer of soil feels dry. If you want to enjoy the beauty of witch hazel blooming shrubs, consider growing one in your garden. It will be worth the effort!
