There are several types of dwarf shrubs that do well in shade. The choices include the Japanese false cypress, Goldflame spirea, Japanese false yew, and American Witch Hazel. Read on to learn more. A few examples of the plants listed below are:
Goldflame spirea
A good choice for a shade garden, Goldflame spirea has three distinct seasons of show-stopping color. The foliage emerges red in spring and gradually turns yellow and then golden orange in autumn. The flowers appear in late spring, creating a stunning contrast against the foliage. Its foliage is attractive throughout the entire growing season, and can be pruned to keep it compact. The spirea dwarf shrub can be grown in containers as well.
This compact deciduous shrub will reach a height of three to four feet and spread out to form a rounded dome. It is attractive all year round, and its foliage changes colors from coppery-red in spring to bright yellow-green in the fall. In the landscape, Goldflame spirea can be grown in containers, among rocks, or on a slope. Despite its slow growth rate, Goldflame spirea is highly adaptable, making it a perfect choice for shade gardens.
If you want to accent a bed or a border with vibrant flowers, spirea ‘Goldflame’ is a good choice. The golden-green foliage contrasts beautifully with the rich coppery-orange flowers in late summer. The spirea is tolerant of a wide range of soil types, and is a popular plant for city planting. In addition to being tolerant of urban settings, it can also withstand the heat and humidity of urban settings.
Sasanqua camellia
The Sasanqua camellia dwarf shrub is a great plant for partial shade. This type of camellia prefers rich, moist soil. It is best grown at least 5 feet apart from other trees or shrubs. Although it does not require soil amendment, it will benefit from adding well-rotted manure. Camellias can be planted near windows and around the foundation of the home, but they are not recommended for these locations.
This twig-like perennial prefers partial shade or full sun. It needs a well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Depending on the climate in your garden, it can grow as large as 12 feet tall and equally wide. Its blooms last for a long time. During winter, it can be covered with berries or orange blossoms.
Sasanqua camellias have low-growing, horizontal habits, making them great groundcover plants in partial shade. Their foliage is also pretty, which makes them an excellent choice for planting underneath trees or in between taller Camellia shrubs. And deer tend to nibble on the blooms, leaving the deep green foliage alone. Those are the qualities of a great camellia plant.
Sasanqua camellias are not very fragrant. Their flowers are white to shell-pink and are rarely larger than four inches. They can tolerate partial shade and sun, and they have a longer bloom period. Sasanqua camellias are less cold-hardy than Japanese camellias, so they should be planted in USDA zones 7 through nine. They can grow in containers and do well in partial shade.
Japanese false cypress
The Japanese false cypress dwarf shrub is a beautiful evergreen perennial that grows best in full sun. It will tolerate part shade, but is more vibrant and beautiful when grown in full sun. As with many evergreen shrubs, it will tolerate a wide range of soil pH levels, but will thrive best in full sun. This shrub is also susceptible to winter burn, which occurs when the plant releases water during photosynthesis. The water then evaporates from the leaves and needles and cannot go down to the base, which causes the plant to freeze. This can result in a plant that dies or only leaves some foliage.
This conifer has silver-blue foliage that becomes purple in colder climates. The plant matures at around five to seven feet tall and is hardy in zones four through nine. It grows slowly and needs full sun to be attractive, but it isn’t as slow as a larger tree. If you’re in a pinch, you can try Joe Kozey’s Japanese umbrella pine, which is slow-growing and has yellow-blue foliage.
Another dwarf cypress is the Hinoki cypress. This beautiful shrub features rich green foliage and a globe-like habit. Its dense, extremely healthy foliage suggests a refined aesthetic, and its 0.5-inch growth rate makes it a perfect choice for rockeries, patios, or a small garden. And since it’s so slow-growing, you can swap out its foliage for another large-size plant.
American Witch Hazel
A common shrub of the eastern deciduous forest, American Witch Hazel has many desirable attributes, including its attractive foliage. It has yellow fall foliage and produces berries at the same time as its flowers. Native Americans used it for medicinal purposes. This plant needs only occasional watering and pruning to maintain its attractive appearance. It can be planted early spring or late fall and prefers a sunny location. In hot climates, it prefers dappled shade.
The leaves of the American Witch Hazel are large and alternate, 2.5 to 6 inches long with large wavy teeth on the margins. The flowers, which are about half to one-inch in diameter, are yellow and fragrant. These shrubs can also be used as a ground cover or as a specimen plant. While the American Witch Hazel is generally pest-free, it does require regular watering once it is established.
In addition to the yellow and orange color varieties, American Witch Hazel comes in a wide range of varieties, including some hybrids. While the yellow varieties are fragrant and showy, the red ones aren’t. A red flowering Witch Hazel, also known as Diane, has yellow-orange foliage and may not be as attractive as its yellow-orange cousin. It is not quite as common, but it can be a great accent plant in a shade garden or on a balcony.
Barberries
As a shade-loving plant, barberries can be a perfect choice for gardeners. Despite their compact habit, barberries are resistant to shearing, which is a big benefit if you don’t want them to overgrow. They are also a popular choice among birdwatchers as their leaves provide a welcome sanctuary from predators. Passing birds often gobble up barberry seeds during the winter months when food is scarce. The dwarf barberry can also be used as an edge around a vegetable garden to keep rabbits and deer from eating your precious produce.
When planting a barberry shrub, make sure to plant it in soil that is slightly acidic. The root ball should be planted in a hole that is at least twice the size of the pot. Once the planting hole is dug, water thoroughly and backfill with soil. You may also want to add some mulch and water it daily for the first week or so. Barberries will require regular watering for the first few weeks to establish.
Another type of barberry, the golden barberry, grows well in both full and partial shade. They need a moderate amount of moisture to thrive, but overwatering may affect their color and vigor. They are hardy in USDA zones four to seven, but will struggle in waterlogged conditions. They tolerate both acidic and slightly alkaline soils. A good variety of barberry is ideal for your garden. The golden barberry is a popular shrub for both sun and shade.
Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are easy to grow in pots. They don’t require much maintenance and don’t suffer from many of the problems associated with their large-sized cousins. While some types of hydrangeas are poisonous to dogs and cats, dwarf hydrangeas are not. They are also resistant to heat, wind, and moisture, which are all causes of fungal disease. They can thrive in a shade garden or container, and can be planted any time of the year.
If you’re a person who appreciates the beauty of hydrangea flowers, then you’ll love these compact varieties. They fit neatly into patio containers and smaller garden borders. These plants are easy-to-maintain and produce stunning flowers. Listed below are some of the best varieties to grow in your shade or partial sun. If you’re looking for a shrub with a distinctive appearance, try ‘Little Lamb’. It has creamy-white flowers in the summer and pink blooms in the fall.
Mini Penny hydrangea: This variety features classic large mophead blooms that turn blue or pink, depending on the soil pH. It is low maintenance and resistant to most diseases. At maturity, Mini Penny is small, but blooms twice as large as the standard plant. Mini Penny bears doubled hot pink flowers on old wood, and should be pruned regularly after blooming. A smaller variety, Mini Penny hydrangea, can also be used as a container plant.