Shade-loving shrubs can add beauty and interest to your garden without requiring much maintenance. Here are four examples of low-maintenance shade shrubs: Camellia, Ligularia dentata, Green Velvet Boxwood, and Hick’s Yew. Read on for more information. You may also like:
Ligularia dentata
A beautiful, low-maintenance shrub for shade, Ligularia dentata is native to moist woodlands. Plant it in a shady area to make it appear more tropical and exotic. The foliage is dark chocolate and grows to about three feet high. The shrub does well in pots and is low-maintenance, but watering is needed regularly. Water deeply and mulch to protect the roots.
Ligularia needs constant moisture, and will need supplemental watering in hotter climates. The shrub prefers rich, moist organic soils that retain moisture. A compost amendment will be beneficial for this plant. Ligularia can be divided to produce more plants. Make sure to plant new divisions in a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball. It should not be buried below the soil’s surface.
Ligularia dentata is a hardy herbaceous perennial that produces tall, spiky yellow flowers. It looks great in the back of a shady bed, a moist area, or in a water garden. Leopard Plant is available in a wide range of colours, including purple, burgundy, and green. A popular choice among gardeners, master gardeners Kim Price recommended the cultivar ‘Little Rocket’. ‘Desdemona’ and ‘Little Rocket’ are two other varieties.
Ligularia dentata is a popular shade-tolerant plant, and is low-maintenance and easy to grow. Its foliage is large, toothed, and spiky. The flowers of Ligularia dentata are produced on stalks and in late summer. The plant can grow to over six feet tall, and is perfect for part shade or shady areas.
Camellia
If you’re looking for a shade-loving shrub that is low maintenance, look no further than the Camellia. This plant does well in well-drained soil, and needs little supplemental water or fertilizer. The camellia’s roots will shade the soil on their own. This shrub prefers well-drained soil, so it doesn’t require supplemental water or fertilizer until it reaches flowering. If you live in a coastal climate, however, camellias will likely drop their buds if the soil is too poor.
If you want to increase the lifespan of your Camellia, you can fertilize them once or twice a year. Fertilize them after they bloom in early spring and midsummer if growth has become sluggish or the leaves have turned a pale green color. Fertilize your camellia at least one day before the first frost. If you have ever wished you could move it to a sunny location, you can do so.
Camellias can be grown anywhere from pots to large trees. They can be planted under large trees, but are best planted under deep-rooted pines or taller shade trees. Camellias also make beautiful foundation plantings. These shrubs don’t require much maintenance and they have many advantages. There are many varieties of camellias, so you’re sure to find one that suits your landscape.
Green Velvet Boxwood
The Green Velvet Boxwood is a broadleaf evergreen that requires very little care. Once planted, this shrub will assume a rounded three-foot shape and retain its color throughout the year. This plant does well in most soil types, but prefers moist soil and supplemental water. This low maintenance shrub will thrive in full sun or part shade, but will grow best in sheltered areas during the winter.
This shrub’s velvety texture gives it a rich appearance and adds depth to any landscape. It grows in a natural sphere, and is perfect for both formal and informal environments. Its hardiness and adaptability make it a desirable shade shrub that tolerates deer, drought, and climate changes. The foliage and flowers are both beautiful and interesting to the eye. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance shade plant, consider the Green Velvet Boxwood, which has been proven to resist pests and disease, and is a popular choice for topiaries.
The Green Velvet Boxwood is a low-maintenance shrub that grows to three feet tall with a spread of four feet. It doesn’t need facer plants and requires very little pruning. This shade shrub doesn’t require a lot of space, and its slow growth rate makes it a great choice for a low hedge. Even with minimal maintenance, Green Velvet Boxwood will be a beautiful feature in your landscape.
Hick’s Yew
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance shade shrub, look no further than the hick’s yew. This plant grows slowly and requires only annual pruning to shape the branches. Hicks yews tolerate full shade, partial shade, and full sun. In hotter climates, they need more water than other shade shrubs. Hicks yews can tolerate different levels of shade, but do not like standing water. It is best planted in a sheltered location, away from exposed windy areas.
This shade-loving shrub can handle full sun or partial shade and does best in moist soil. It doesn’t mind a bit of drought once established. Find out more about this shrub HERE. Don’t forget to leave a comment in the comments section below or pin the article to your favorite Pinterest board! Please share your favorite shade-loving shrubs! You might be surprised by which one you like best! If you like the idea of a low-maintenance hedge in your yard, check out the Hick’s Yew.
If you want a hedge in a shade-loving landscape, consider planting a Hicks Yew. They grow slowly and naturally and produce berries in the fall. The red berries, although edible, are toxic. However, you can grow a seedless variety in your yard that produces berries without a hazard. The male ‘H.M. Eddie’ is about 10 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide.
Mountain laurel
You can grow mountain laurel in your garden with little to no maintenance. You will need a soil with a pH of 4.5 to 5.5 and cool, moist conditions. It is best grown in partial shade or in dappled sunlight. This shrub grows slowly and needs only minimal pruning to maintain its shape. If you want to prune your Mountain Laurel, start in the spring after its flowering period.
It is a slow-growing shrub that produces thousands of seeds each year. Pinching spent flowers will allow the shrub to focus its energy on blooming again next year. Deadheading will also keep your shrub from looking leggy. Because Mountain laurel grows slowly, it is an excellent choice for shaded gardens. Dwarf varieties will mature in three to four feet and will produce flowers in early spring.
The best soil for mountain laurel is acidic. The soil should be well-drained, and it must have a pH of 4.5 or higher. It does not like heavy clay soil, so consider using a raised bed to prevent root rot. To keep the pH of your soil in a low range, you can add peat moss and pine needles. The pH level should remain between 4.5.5, otherwise your shrub will struggle to grow.
Bottlebrush Buckeye
The native bottlebrush buckeye is one of the most attractive and low-maintenance shrubs for shade. It grows to 8 feet in height and spreads laterally from its suckers. It spreads slowly and can form large mounds, measuring 12 to 15 feet across and 7-8 feet high. Although it can be invasive in its native habitat, bottlebrush buckeye is not a serious problem outside of its range.
As a native of woodlands, Bottlebrush Buckeye thrives in partial shade or full sun. It is also resistant to deer and rabbit damage. It is a low maintenance shrub that thrives in soil that is slightly damp. It benefits from mulching with organic compost, which improves its soil pH. It will tolerate shade and drought. This shrub is a great choice for a landscape border.
Another choice for a low-maintenance shrub is the butcher’s sweeper. This evergreen shrub develops a circular shape without pruning, making it a versatile plant. In the fall, the foliage turns yellow and turns into glossy nuts. A beautiful shrub in a woodland garden, it also looks great massed underneath a large tree. It is a low-maintenance shade shrub that requires little to no care.
