In your garden, you can choose from a variety of shrubs that thrive in afternoon sun. Evergreen shrubs, or those with evergreen foliage, provide colorful foliage throughout the year. The vibrant foliage and lush, green fronds will add to the beauty of your garden. Here are a few favorites. Read on to find out more! Once you’ve chosen a shrub, be sure to consider its light-reflecting abilities before choosing a type.
Yucca
Yucca plants are drought tolerant and low-maintenance, and are ideal landscape specimens. However, they do benefit from regular watering during the growing season, and an inch of water per week is plenty. And they don’t mind full shade or poor soil. If you’re looking for an evergreen shrub that can survive dry conditions, yuccas are an excellent choice. You can plant them in containers, too. Yucca ‘Variegata’ is a particularly pretty choice.
The flowers on Yucca are distinctive, with long, tubular stalks. They open irregularly along their stalks and close continuously throughout the summer. Flowers can be a variety of colors, including carmine red, coral, yellow, and pure red. The plants are native to the southeastern United States and are also salt and drought-tolerant. They are toxic to livestock and pets. They can be grown in pots, but they don’t bloom in containers.
Another choice for a landscape plant in afternoon sunlight is Yucca. The shrub features long, pointed leaves and bell-shaped flowers in late summer. They can tolerate full sun and drought conditions, and they only require fertilization once a year. Pruning Yucca shrubs is optional, but recommended if you want to control their growth. Just remember to prune off any dead leaves and flower stalks. The leaves on Yucca are highly attractive.
Ceanothus
The name “Ceanothus” suggests that this shrub grows in coastal areas, but the species is native throughout the western U.S. Deciduous varieties are also native to parts of the Midwest and eastern U.S., and some species are quite large. Blue blossoms are the most common, but you may also see white or pink flowers. No matter the color or shape, these flowers are incredibly attractive. For more information, visit the Northwest Plant Evaluation Program.
If you have a sheltered garden or a walled yard, consider growing Ceanothus. It enjoys the warmth that comes from a walled garden. A walled garden provides shelter from cold wind and can extend its lifespan significantly. It can also be pruned lightly in spring. It grows well and flowers from late summer into early fall. Although not hardy, Ceanothus is a popular plant for gardeners due to its unique appearance.
When it comes to pruning, ceanothus does not require much care. Pruning is only necessary if the plant starts to overgrow its space. Evergreen varieties are in pruning group eight, and you should only prune after they have finished flowering. Most varieties flower in late May and June. Afterward, pruning is safe. However, if you want to shape your ceanothus into a hedge, you should wait until after the flowering period.
Choisya
If you are searching for a good evergreen shrub to add color to your garden, look no further. Choisya ternata is an excellent choice, with its lush, glossy dark green foliage and 3 leaflets. This shrub grows well in most climates, and can be planted year-round. To ensure flowering, prune the Choisya ternata back to three or four inches in spring or early fall.
Although Mexican orange shrubs need full sun throughout the year, they are generally tolerant of cooler temperatures. They can grow under a porch, and should not be left out in freezing temperatures. In addition, they do not require fertilising. If you want to increase the chances of successful propagation, apply root hormone in the spring and repot the cuttings in late spring. Choisya ternata is low maintenance, and only requires minimal pruning after it has been established.
If you’re looking for a plant that grows in full sun, the best option is Choisya ternata. The foliage of this evergreen shrub is aromatic, and the blooms in late spring and early summer are beautiful. The shrub is easy to maintain, and it won’t grow more than three to six and a half feet tall. Despite its size, Choisya ternata is perfect for containers. It doesn’t reach more than ten feet tall, but it responds well to pruning.
Oregon grape
When you want privacy for your yard and to make your landscape look incredibly colorful, consider planting an Oregon grape. This shrub has a cluster of yellow flowers on the upper half of its branches. The fruit of the Oregon grape is edible, tart and resembles a grape. You can even make a jam or preserve from it. Oregon grape is also an excellent choice for a wildlife garden because it can become invasive in certain areas.
This striking shrub is a great addition to your garden because it can provide an accent plant or act as a screening plant. Its bronzy leaves change to a rich green in the spring and summer and its flowers are bright yellow and fragrant. Oregon grapes are also popular for making jellies from the fruit. They do best in dry shade, but if you have to grow a plant in full sun, be sure to protect it.
Oregon grape thrives in most soil types, including clay. Oregon grape is resistant to deer and pests. It is a plant that should be used more in the landscape. Not only are they popular in the garden, but they fill in gaps better than many other shrubs. You can also use Oregon grape as a screen for your flower beds. They can survive a drought without harm, and they’re great for attracting birds.
Japanese holly
A compact type of Japanese holly is a good choice for containers and borders. It is evergreen and requires only six hours of sunlight per day. It responds well to pruning and shaping and is deer-resistant. It can be grown in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 5A through 8B. If you’re looking for an evergreen shrub for afternoon sun, look no further than Japanese holly.
The Japanese holly is a native of East Asia and does well in mountain and moist woodland areas. It prefers acidic soil but is adaptable to a range of soil conditions. Even in partial shade, it can survive. Its foliage turns pale green in colder areas. To avoid this problem, apply mulch every two to three weeks. Japanese hollies benefit from mulch. A mulch is a good way to retain moisture.
A compact Japanese holly will grow to about six to ten feet tall. Planting one Japanese holly in a pot will take several years. Plant them five to six feet apart. You can then prune the shrub as needed to shape it to your desired size. A few varieties are available that will give you a hedge or topiary shape. For dwarf plants, you can opt for ‘Dwarf Pagoda’ or ‘Helleri’.
Inkberry
The rounded, dark-green leaves of the Inkberry Holly are attractive in any garden. The shrub’s glossy narrow leaves remain dark-green all winter. In fall, it produces berries that turn black. A multi-stemmed evergreen shrub, inkberry has a medium texture and should be balanced by other shrubs or plants. Evergreen shrubs for afternoon sun should be pruned only a few times per year.
The dense foliage of an inkberry bush thins out with age, but the rounded form is still attractive. Smaller shrubs, perennials, and bushes can be planted around it to conceal the leaves. Compacta and Nordic inkberry shrubs reach about 5 feet high and 4 feet wide, respectively. The compact form of these shrubs makes them ideal for landscapes. ‘Shamrock’ inkberry is compact and two feet high, but still maintains a dense, lush shape.
Inkberry is hardy in zones four to nine, and grows best in full sun. While it will tolerate some part shade, it will need regular watering. It requires adequate moisture and will spread by suckers. Regular pruning in the spring will help control the spread of inkberry. Inkberry is also a male or female plant, which means it will grow either way. This shrub is often cultivated to add extra color and fullness.