If you’re looking for a fast-growing shade-tolerant plant, consider an evergreen shrub known as skip laurel. Skip laurel is easy to grow up to 18 feet and can tolerate dry soils. It has dense foliage, withstands heat and cold, and can tolerate drier climates. Listed below are some of the best fast-growing evergreen shrubs for shade. They can grow to over 18 feet, and are easy to prune.
Hybrid poplar
The Superior Hybrid Poplar Tree is a fast-growing shade tree that can add thousands of dollars to the value of your home. This fast-growing shade tree is attractive in its oval shape and can be planted anywhere you need shade fast. Its fast-growing roots can handle disturbed soil and poor conditions, and its dense foliage drops off in winter. It is also a beautiful shade tree, especially if you live in an area where wind can be a problem.
Although superior hybrid poplar trees are best planted in full sun, they can tolerate partial shade and require additional watering until they are established. They require about an inch of water a week and may need more during dry spells. Hybrid poplar trees are fast-growing and can serve as a backdrop to a border of shrubs and other plants. They need supplemental watering to survive in a harsh climate, so make sure to water them regularly.
As a fast-growing shade tree, Hybrid Poplar can grow to eight feet per year. Its silvery-green leaves and smooth bark make it a good choice for shade-loving landscapes. They also need minimal pruning and mature naturally into a tidy outline. Hybrid Poplar is also a good choice for firewood plots, and they can grow in most soil types and conditions.
Mexican Orange blossom
Among the most beautiful and fast-growing evergreen shrubs for shade, the Mexican Orange blossom is perhaps the most popular. Its star-shaped, white flowers can transform your garden, and its glossy, dark green foliage can be used to frame the blooms. The Mexican Orange blossom grows to a height of one to two metres and has a bushy habit. It will also bloom again in late summer or autumn.
The foliage of this fast-growing, easy-to-grow evergreen shrub is dark green and arranged in palmate patterns, with three leaflets per blade. The leaves emit a pleasant aroma, reminiscent of citrus and basil. In spring and summer, flowers are produced in clusters of three-inch-wide corymbs, attracting many bees and butterflies. Although Mexican orange blossoms are not edible, they are very fragrant and add a beautiful accent to the landscape.
The Mexican orange is a native of southern North America and Mexico. It produces flowers that resemble orange plant blossoms and has a distinctly orange scent. The scientific name for this shrub is Choisya ternata, and it was named after Swiss botanist Jacques Denys Choisy. Its glossy leaves are attractive and long-lived. Mock orange is also useful as a foundation plant, hedge, and focal point.
Golden Euonymus
The euonymus plant is one of the fastest growing evergreen shrubs that grows best in the Southwest. This drought-tolerant plant can withstand a variety of soil conditions and the glaring mid-summer sun. Euonymus can grow as a stand-alone specimen or can be used as a privacy hedge. They can be planted in full sun or partial shade, depending on your personal preference.
Depending on the variety, Golden Euonymus fast-growing evergreen shrubs are good choice for screening, foundation planting, or hedges. These shrubs are prone to scale infestations and pests, and they may need additional treatment to control the problem. If you notice white spots on the leaves, it may be time to cut the leaves off. Scale infestations can be difficult to control, so you may have to remove entire branches to prevent leaf drop.
Golden Euonymus has a dense oval shape in full sun, and in shade it spreads out more. In shade, it displays a decentralized, hectic growth pattern. These evergreen varieties tend to have limited cold tolerance, and some may need to be planted in direct sunlight to stay warm. If you live in a temperate region, you can grow Golden Euonymus in containers or full shade. If you’re a beginner gardener, this fast-growing evergreen shrub is a great choice for the home and is a versatile addition to any landscape.
Hick’s Yew
Choosing the right location for your new Hick’s Yew hedge depends on your climate, as some varieties grow in very hot climates, while others prefer cooler temperatures. Regardless of the location, the Hick’s Yew can tolerate all types of soil, but it is important to choose the right one. This fast-growing evergreen shrub is most successful when planted in a well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. It will grow well in full sun, partial shade, and will thrive in Zones three through five. It is a good choice for shaded areas, so plant one tree per foot away, but make sure to leave enough room for the plant’s growth and to protect it from extreme winter heat.
Another great option for shade gardens is the Hick’s Yew. This fast-growing evergreen is easy to grow and is ideal as a screen, privacy hedge, accent tree, and garden focal point. Unlike many other evergreen shrubs, Hick’s Yew is a low-maintenance choice that requires little pruning to maintain its shape and size. A mature Hick’s Yew shrub can grow up to 12 feet tall and four to five feet wide.
This heat-resistant shrub features yellow-green leaves and small star-shaped fruit. It is very low-maintenance and can tolerate a moderate amount of drought once established. Hick’s Yew fast growing evergreen shrubs for shade
Chinese Evergreen Elm
If you want a fast growing tree for your landscape, the Chinese Evergreen Elm is a great choice. This woody tree will reach a mature height of thirty feet within eight years. The leaves of this tree are glossy dark green, and are pale below. Chinese elms have small clustered flowers in the spring and fall. Its bark is smooth and green with gray or reddish brown flecks. It sheds its bark in thin flakes and is often used in landscaping. The Chinese elm has a reddish brown inner bark.
This tree is one of the earliest spring trees, as it blooms in late May and lasts into early September. Its foliage requires pruning on a regular basis, but it is more of a cosmetic job when young. The tree will grow so fast, however, that it can cause damage to sidewalks and pipes if not pruned properly. Chinese elms are also good choices for urban areas because of their ability to withstand harsh weather.
Another excellent fast growing evergreen shrub for shade is the Chinese elm. The Chinese elm will grow to 30 feet or more and form a pendulous, weeping habit. It is semi-deciduous, which means that the leaves shed in late December in the desert, but retain their foliage in cooler climates. During the growing season, the Chinese elm will bear a cluster of inconspicuous white or pink flowers, and its foliage will turn yellow before falling off for the winter.
Japanese andromeda
The Japanese Andromeda is a fast-growing evergreen shrub that will grow in sun or partially shade. The Japanese Andromeda requires soil with an acidic pH level of 5.1 to 6.0. It does not do well in soggy soils. This shrub needs regular deep watering. The amount of water depends on the type of soil and climate. Once established, Japanese Andromeda will grow to a mature height of four feet.
This evergreen shrub is deer-resistant and is a favorite food source for mason bees. Its foliage is red-bronze and resembles a tree. It produces tiny white bell-like flowers in early spring. The flowers are fragrant and last throughout the summer and fall. The foliage matures to a rich, dark green. The Japanese Andromeda can be pruned to maintain an attractive shape.
Andromeda plants do best in a sunny spot with partial shade. They need rich soil and enough water and nutrients to thrive. Fertilizers for rhododendrons and azaleas can help, as well as pine needle mulch. Once established, Andromeda plants will appreciate a light fertilizer in the spring. Pruning the flowers can boost the amount of blossoms the following year.
Fast growing shrubs can block views. Deciduous varieties do not block views, but fast growing shrubs close to the window can partially block a view. When planting shrubs near windows, make sure they are low and in the right place. Remember, the fast growing Japanese Andromeda grows to about 12 feet. If you do not use the green space in your backyard, the shrubs may block your view and attract curious eyes.
