If you want to add color to your landscape, consider planting shrubs that are tolerant of deep shade. Many types of trees and shrubs can thrive in this type of garden. Coralberries, Snowberries, Oak leaf Hydrangea, Japanese kerria, and Japanese holly are among the most popular and easiest-to-grow shrubs for deep shade. Read on to learn more. And don’t forget to look for deer-resistant varieties!
Coralberries
The most desirable shrubs for deep shade areas include coralberries and snowberries. Both of these species are native to the south and thrive in a wide range of soil types. Despite their name, they grow best in dry shade and tolerate part shade, though they prefer a dry climate. They can be planted near trees and will naturalize in open areas. This plant will also help control erosion. If you’d like to grow a coralberry in your yard, you can use the following methods:
The drupes of this plant are reddish-purple or pinkish-purple in color and are about a 1/4 inch long. Each drupe contains a single, stony seed. Flowers are held in clusters at the axils of stems and leaf axils, and are densely packed. They are not juicy or fleshy, but they are edible and nutritious.
A native shrub, coralberry grows to five feet tall and spreads out to an area of 8ft in width. It supports many animals, including birds and deer. Its flowers are highly attracting to bees, wasps, and flies and produce pollen. Coralberries are also host to caterpillars of three native moths. They are an excellent choice for deep shade gardens and woodland edges.
Snowberries
During the summer and early fall, snowberry shrubs bloom, providing a spectacular display in the landscape. These shrubs grow with delicate twigs and small, round leaves. The leaves are green on the upper side and fuzzy on the underside. The foliage turns yellow in fall, and the fruits remain throughout the winter. These shrubs are easy to grow, and they are a good choice for planting in shade.
These native shrubs are important to local wildlife populations, providing food for grouse, quail, and pheasants. They are deer-resistant and attract numerous beneficial insects. Snowberry flowers also attract hummingbirds, bees, and other birds. Small mammals use the foliage as cover and feed on the berries. They also attract a variety of insects, including the Vashti Sphinx moth, which lives in the western half of the United States.
If your landscape has a lot of deep shade, a combination of native trees and shrubs is ideal. Some are native to North America, such as vernal witch hazel and common witch hazel. Both species produce flowers that are quite fragrant. During the summer, snowberries provide an attractive food source for birds. So, consider planting these native shrubs for an elegant, low-maintenance landscape.
Oak leaf Hydrangea
If you’re looking for a shade-tolerant plant, oak leaf hydrangeas are the right choice. These shrubs produce flowering heads of soft, fragrant white blossoms in June, and the flowers will age into shades of pink and red. Fall brings out the luscious colors of oakleaf hydrangea foliage, which turns deep red. These shrubs also have great fall color.
When planting oakleaf hydrangeas, make sure you dig a hole twice as large as the container. Be sure to amend the soil with soil conditioner and mushroom compost. Plant the crown of the shrub at a higher level than the soil surrounding it, as this will help prevent the soil from settling, and will also provide good drainage. Oak leaf hydrangea shrubs are beautiful in both partial and full shade.
Oak leaf hydrangeas do not require much pruning. In ideal conditions, these shrubs grow up to 10 feet tall, but you should avoid pruning until after the flowers fade. The leaves of oakleaf hydrangeas can be easily clipped, so only remove deadwood when pruning. Pruning should only be done when the blooms fade, and you can trim off any damaged or diseased branches as they appear. Because oak leaf hydrangeas sucker, you may need to prune to control the spread of your oak leaf hydrangea shrubs.
Japanese kerria
When choosing a Japanese Kerria shrub for your landscape, consider the amount of deep shade your landscape will receive. Japanese Kerria requires well-drained soil, and it spreads by suckering. Cut off sucker cuttings when they appear to be fully developed, and root them into the ground. This shrub is larger than many other Japanese shrubs, and it can reach eight feet tall. It also tolerates shade well, and it can even survive in a shady location.
If your landscape is in a very deep shade, you may need to plant a tall conifer for the understory. This tree is native to North America and is very tolerant of low light. Its multiple-stem habit and intricate leaves are ideal for shaded gardens. However, Japanese maples do not have a dramatic fall colour. If you do have to plant a tree in a deep shade garden, it is best to choose one that is suited to this situation.
If you have deep shade in your landscape, you may want to consider planting a Golden Guinea. This flowering shrub can grow to eight feet tall and 240-300 cm wide. It is an excellent choice for planting under buildings and tall trees. It produces a showy display of deep yellow double flowers in mid-spring and is deciduous. Golden Guinea will grow well in most soils, but full sunlight may cause it to show stem die-back.
Leatherleaf arrowwood
This shrub is a favorite of wildlife and people alike. Its reddish-brown berries attract pollinators. It is also very easy to grow and adapts to different climates. The flowers and leaves contrast beautifully in autumn. The flowers appear in clusters in spring. In addition, the shrub attracts butterflies and birds to its habitat. In addition, it is a great specimen plant.
Many shrubs do well in full sun, but there are some that prefer deep shade. Whether the area is under a large tree canopy, is sheltered by a building or a mountain, or simply in a neglected corner, you need plants that can endure a day in deep shade. Leatherleaf arrowwood is one such plant. Its leather-like glossy leaves are reminiscent of leather.
When it comes to choosing a shrub for shady spots, the leatherleaf arrowwood is a top choice. This adaptable native grows six to fifteen feet high. It produces blue autumn berries and white spring flowers. It is a shrub that does well in zones three to eight. If you are considering using it in your yard, consider adding it to your collection.
North Star Boxwood
When it comes to choosing a boxwood for your garden, look no further than the North Star Boxwood. This low-growing evergreen is cold hardy, and will require little to no pruning to maintain its shape. Its shiny dark green leaves will add a touch of formality to any garden, whether you choose to grow it as a hedge or to create the border of a formal herb garden.
As a dwarf, North Star Boxwood is slow-growing but has a dense branching structure. Its leaves are tightly packed along its stems, giving it a clipped, dense appearance. Even at six years old, the shrub had over 2,000 branches. The leaves are small, but dense and leathery. Because North Star Boxwood is slow-growing, it will need more frequent waterings than other shrubs and trees.
This hardy shrub can grow from one to twenty feet high and two to eight feet wide. Although it is best grown in full or partial shade, it can tolerate midday sun and brighter locations. It also tolerates partial to full shade, which makes it a good choice for gardens with shady spots. However, it does not grow well in deep shade. Soil pH must be in the range of 6.5 to 7.
Japanese Andromeda
When choosing a Japanese Andromeda shrub for your landscape, you should look for one that tolerates deep shade. Some types, such as ‘Little Heath,’ grow to only two or three feet high. ‘Little Heath’ is an upright shrub with red stems and a small, rounded foliage. ‘Mountain Fire’ is a slower-growing variety that grows to four to six feet tall, but its white flowers are fragrant and long-lasting.
If you are looking for an easy plant to grow in the shade, you can try Japanese Andromeda. It grows well in USDA plant hardiness zones five through nine. It requires rich, organic soil that has a slightly acidic pH. It also benefits from a mulch of pine needles. Make sure to place Japanese Andromeda shrubs in a location where they get enough sun and water.
The best time to plant your Japanese Andromeda shrub is before the snow begins to fall. The first year the plant will flower, it will produce white or pink flowers. Japanese Andromeda shrubs produce seeds after flowering. These seeds will germinate and grow if you take care of them. You can also start a new plant by starting a cutting from the flower buds in the spring. Make sure to use a repotting hormone on the cuttings.