If you need some fast-growing shade-tolerant plants, here are some suggestions: Flowering Dogwood, Duea Flame, Leatherleaf Arrowwood, American Holly, and California Spirea. You can also consider bamboo, which is both fast-growing and non-invasive. But which of these fast-growing shrubs is best for your particular situation? Read on to learn about them! You may even end up loving your new shade-tolerant plants!
Duea Flame
The Duea Flame is a fast-growing, broadleaf evergreen shrub that grows to three to five feet in height. The shrub is drought resistant and produces spike-like blooms in the spring and summer. This evergreen is drought-tolerant and grows in zones 8 through 11. In some areas, Duea Flames are used as houseplants. They have a variety of uses and are great for shade gardens.
Boxwood shrubs require a certain climate. They require part shade to full sun and need organic soil. They can be planted in most climates but require weekly watering to establish their roots. They should be planted far enough from winter winds to avoid winter bronzing. Ensure that the planting location is protected from strong winds, as the Boxwood can suffer from winter bronzing. If possible, plant Duea Flame in the shade, but don’t plant it too deep – it can’t handle heavy winter winds.
Evergreen shrubs are great choices for shade gardens. Their slow growth rate means they can be used as privacy screens and give your yard a lush winter appearance. They’re also good for landscaping in a newly planted landscape because they don’t take as long to mature as other plants in the same area. Adding shade-tolerant evergreens to your yard can be a great way to transform a drab spot.
Flowering Dogwood
The flowering dogwood is a dazzling evergreen plant that grows to be between 15 and 25 feet tall. Usually it prefers partial shade but will also tolerate full sun and thrives in well-drained soil. It is also tolerant of dry soil and will tolerate drought. Its red fruits are delicious and attract many animals, including turkeys, foxes, and birds.
This fast-growing shrub is hardy in zones 6-9 and can tolerate a variety of soils and temperatures. The slender, white flowers will appear in late spring, followed by red berries during winter. It is a low-maintenance shrub that can be pruned to a small tree within a few years. Flowering Dogwood requires little maintenance and can grow into a stunning fast-growing shade tree.
Another fast-growing, native shrub is the Fraser fir. It is native to the eastern half of North America. This tree grows well in a variety of habitats, from low-lying swamps to moist mountainsides. It is also quite drought-tolerant once established. And, like many of its fast-growing evergreen friends, it can tolerate a variety of soil conditions.
Another fast-growing evergreen shrub for shade is the Japanese maple. This tree is native to the southeastern Atlantic region of North America and is found in maritime woods and sandy pinelands. Although it prefers a shady location and acidic soil, this plant will adjust well and grow to its full potential. Its rounded branches will also grow to 60 feet.
Leatherleaf Arrowwood
For the shade in your garden, consider planting fast-growing evergreen shrubs. These plants can withstand some shade, but need less sunlight than deciduous trees. Despite the low sunlight requirements, they will grow and thrive even in the dreariest corner of your garden. Listed below are five shrubs that will flourish in shade and need little sun. Here are their pros and cons. Choose wisely!
Hellebores: These are excellent blooming shrubs for the shade garden. They develop more than 12 inches tall and produce cup-shaped blooms. They bloom early in the spring and are drought-tolerant once settled. Hellebores are regarded as evergreen shrubs in many developing regions. If planted in the shade, they will grow up to thirty feet tall, and can form an attractive border or hedge.
Chinese fringe-flower: This is another popular fast-growing plant for shade gardens. This evergreen shrub is a favorite among gardeners. It grows quickly, and its yellow-splashed leaves are attractive. Its foliage is typically green, although some varieties have purple leaves. It requires heavy mulch and a good amount of moisture to survive. The foliage should be kept moist during the summer months. To ensure proper growth, it needs weekly watering and a balanced fertilizer in the early spring.
Green Giant Arborvitae: This is an excellent choice if you are looking for a privacy hedge. The tall, columnar evergreen can reach up to 60 feet and can be pruned to a desired height. Once grown to maturity, they can reach 12-20 feet wide and are perfect for privacy hedges. For the shade, experts suggest spacing the plants eight to 12 feet apart. This will allow for the desired amount of privacy, and they also add visual interest to your landscape.
American Holly
A fast-growing evergreen shrub, American holly is native to the eastern and central U.S., where native peoples traded the berries for buttons and other items. The plant requires two species, male and female, for proper growth. According to University of Kentucky experts, you should plant three female trees for each male. The female trees will bear berries in the winter. American holly grows between 15 and 20 feet tall and 12 to 15 feet wide.
The female American holly produces berries in the fall. These berries are poisonous, so keep them out of reach of children and pets. It’s best to plant a male shrub alongside the female to promote pollination. Alternatively, buy two or three cuttings and propagate them yourself. However, keep in mind that American holly has several pests and diseases.
This evergreen shrub can be used as a foundation planting, specimen plant, or grouping. Besides adding color to your landscape, the holly attracts birds with its colorful berries. They are prized as Christmas decorations, and they can also attract a variety of other birds. Blackbirds, thrushes, and mourning doves all enjoy the berries of this shrub.
American hollies are an excellent choice for growing fast-growing bushes in shady areas. The holly family contains hundreds of species, and most grow well in wetlands, grasslands, and dry sand dunes. Typically, these trees grow to a height of five to fifteen feet, depending on climate and soil type. Despite its fast-growing habit, they require a male plant to flower.
Alpine currants
Alpine currants are a deciduous plant that belongs to the gooseberry family. It has dense green foliage with trilobed leaves and produces bright red berries during midsummer. Once established, these plants need little maintenance. They can tolerate low light levels, drought, and cold temperatures. It’s best planted in the ground. They’re often mistaken for their sister plant, redcurrant, but they are completely different plants. While Alpine currant berries are edible, many people find the taste of the berry unpleasant.
The foliage of the Alpine currant is dense, making it an attractive addition to a sunny garden. It grows up to four feet tall, with branches that are branched horizontally. The leaves are small, rounded, and dark green on the underside, and the bark is flaky. The flower stalks are long and are covered with feathery plumes in May. The plant requires little water once established and does not require pruning. Once established, it can tolerate dry and alkaline soil.
Alpine currants are fast-growing ever-green shrubs that require little maintenance. Once established, these shrubs can grow up to twelve feet tall and wide. They prefer cool, dry soil and need only minimal water. However, they do require some sun, so you should avoid planting them too close to a lawn. You should also keep the soil moist but not muddy. If you do plant one in the shade, you will have a beautiful flower-filled tree in a few years.
Witch hazel
A shrub with an intriguing flowering structure, witch hazel is an excellent choice for shade gardens. This low-maintenance shade plant features flower buds that form on the ends of the stems and ripe fruits that are produced on the branches the following year. Flower buds are hardy and cold-tolerant, and the small, whitish flowers look like tiny confetti, usually bright yellow with a red center. The flowers turn the shrub into a ticker-tape parade with an intoxicating citrus scent.
A fast-growing shade-loving shrub, witch hazel grows quickly and produces fragrant yellow flowers in the winter. There are two types, Chinese Witch Hazel and Vernal Witch Hazel. Both species will grow in a normal garden, although witch hazel is thought to grow better in damp soil. Soil type is not a big issue with witch hazel, but it does prefer a well-drained, acidic soil.
A fast-growing evergreen shrub for shade, witch hazel has fragrant and medicinal qualities, making it a good choice for shady locations. Most of its flowers have a wonderful fragrance, which makes them desirable for both indoor and outdoor gardens. These plants also tolerate shade and drought conditions. These plants are a great choice for your landscape and home. They can even be used in native plant gardens.