Evergreen trees and shrubs are great choices for shade gardens. Evergreens grow best in moist, loose soil and can survive in shade. There are several varieties to choose from, including blue-green Azaleas. These flowers change colors from pink to blue and prefer cool to warm weather. Plant these trees and shrubs in the spring after the danger of frost is past. You can cover the plants with bark mulch or pine needles for added protection in the fall.
Evergreen
An evergreen shrub adds year-round appeal to your landscape. Its colorful leaves complement other plants in the garden and complement other plantings in the landscape. There are many different types of evergreen shrubs today. Choose the one that matches other plantations in the garden, as well as its location. Keeping in mind its location is key, because it will receive shade from other trees and shrubs. However, if the area is shaded and dappled, you should select a plant that will survive without too much sun.
Boxwoods require particular growing conditions. They can tolerate part shade and full sun but need a moderate amount of water. Plant them in an area where winter winds are not likely to affect them, because they can get severely damaged by cold winter winds. Plant them shallowly in the soil, or they’ll suffer from winter bronzing. After they’re established, water them regularly, and give them some afternoon shade. Boxwoods have long leaves and prefer shade.
If you’re looking for a shade-loving evergreen shrub, consider the camellia sasanqua. A great shade plant, this evergreen shrub grows to fit the size of its container. Underplanting the camellia sasanqua will add additional interest to your landscape and provide a resting place for birds. And since camellias don’t lose their leaves in winter, you don’t need to worry about pruning them every year.
Another evergreen that thrives in the shade is Mrs. B.R. Evergreens are cold-hardy and can survive in shade, but many of them can get desiccated in winter. Pachysandra terminalis, for example, is a shade-loving perennial that thrives in very dry conditions. Evergreen shrubs in this category are ideal for a garden or a patio. They can create dense carpets of evergreen leaves and provide privacy.
If your space is in full sun or partial shade, you can plant American holly, which is a hardy and fragrant shrub. A second popular evergreen in shade is the dwarf bottlebrush ‘Little John’ HomeFree(tm) which has more resistance to powdery mildew. Boxwoods, hemlocks, and yews are some of the most common evergreens for shady areas. Another popular shade-tolerant option is red twig dogwood. It has long spikes of flowers during winter and fine foliage.
Hebes come in a variety of colours and shapes. They thrive in soils with good drainage and do not reach more than 3 metres tall. Hebe ‘Silver Queen’, ‘Starlight’, and ‘Sweet Kim’ have attractive variegated foliage. All varieties of Hebe have a distinctive flowering tip. Their flowers attract bees and butterflies. And if you’re looking for an easy-to-maintain shrub, you can always plant an Evergreen Rhododendron.
The American holly is another good evergreen shrub for shade. Its small, star-shaped flowers are dangling from branches in spring. Its leaves are yellow-green, but they are easy to maintain. Once established, the shrub will tolerate some amount of drought. Its glossy red berries will be edible. Another popular choice for the shaded area is Indian Hawthorn. It has a height and spread of 60 cm.
Golden euonymus is another excellent choice. Its glossy leaves turn pink during the winter and are a beautiful accent plant. This versatile plant can be used as a privacy hedge or specimen plant. It is easily propagated by semi-ripe cuttings. In addition to its native habitat, the plant can also survive in full sunlight. The soil must be moist but well-drained, and it requires weekly watering and balanced fertilizer in early spring.
A variety of Japanese yews are excellent evergreen shrubs. They will grow to full size and need pruning every year. The needles are poisonous, so you should never plant one in your border. If you prefer brighter foliage, try a Taxus cuspidate. This species also grows in shady areas and produces red berries. You can trim yews annually or every two years to maintain their shape.
Mahonia species are another popular choice for shade areas. The berries are edible and are loaded with vitamin C. The shrubs are native to the Eastern and Southern United States. In addition to its foliage, they make attractive winter accents. Their leaves turn a lovely bronze color in winter. The fruit is edible, but it’s best to avoid ingesting the berries. Mahonia shrubs also provide beautiful winter foliage for your landscape.
Aucuba japonica is another choice for shade areas. This evergreen shrub produces red berries in the fall. Aucuba japonica grows to a height of six to ten feet. The leaves are elliptical and glossy, and the flowers appear in the early spring. Fertilize your Aucuba shrubs once a year when new growth appears. Use an acid-based fertilizer. You can also mulch them heavily, as they need to stay moist.
The Common Boxwood is a traditional landscape plant. Its dense foliage and compact habit make it a staple in formal landscapes. Boxwood shrubs can be pruned, so they won’t grow very fast. If you want a low-growing hedge with no pruning, use a Carissa holly. Its leaves will be three to four feet wide and two to three feet tall. It makes a great low hedge, too.
Mountain laurel is another evergreen shrub for shade. This tree grows native to eastern North America. It produces a showy cluster of flowers in late spring. If you’d prefer a plant with more vibrant flowers, try dwarf Minuet laurel. Mountain laurel is best grown in soil that’s acidic to encourage flowering. And don’t forget to fertilize the shrub with acid-enhanced fertilizer.
Mahonia repens is another good choice. A dwarf evergreen shrub, Mahonia repens, is frost-hardy and tolerant of full to part shade. It has red fall fruits and is frost-resistant. It will grow to be at least 45cm (18″) tall and 60cm (24″ wide).
Anemone of the Kerria family, this fragrant evergreen bush is a good choice for shade gardens. Its flowers are bright yellow in April and May. It can grow up to 5 feet, but you can prune it after it blooms to maintain a compact shape. The blooms on this shrub are an inch wide and last for several weeks. It prefers full sun, but it can also tolerate partial or moderate shade. A cultivar known as pleniflora has double flowers and a taller growth habit.
