If you are dealing with a shaded garden, what better way to decorate it than by growing shade-loving shrubs all over the place?
Although it might be kind of tricky to find the right shrubs, there are several beautiful and hardy ones that can thrive in shady conditions – trust me, they will definitely spruce up your garden with their bushy appearance and lovely flowers.
In this article, we are going to talk about different shrubs that are suitable for growing in shade.
Stay tuned!
1. American Filbert
American filbert is a deciduous shrub with beautiful green foliage that turns golden yellow in the fall, adding a subtle pop of color into the garden. It also produces clusters of long flowers that eventually turn into tasty edible nuts.
Even though this shrub can tolerate different soil types, it thrives in a well-draining one. American filbert can tolerate full sun and full shade. Make sure that the shrub has enough space to grow and spread.
2. Bottlebrush Buckeye
Bottlebrush Buckeye is a beautiful shrub that offers showy white flowers during late spring and early summer. Even though it can grow in shade, the shrub produces more blooms when grown in full sun.
What’s interesting is that these flowers look like bottlebrushes, hence the name. And they can also attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden!
Besides these lovely flowers, this shrub also produces large, palmate leaves that can give your garden that tropical look. Make sure that the soil is moist and well-draining. Bottlebrush can tolerate wet conditions, making it an excellent choice for areas with poor drainage.
3. Tree Ivy
Tree Ivy, also known as Tree Geranium, is a fast-growing shrub that exhibits features of both ivy and geranium. It has large, glossy, evergreen leaves with a unique lobed shape. Tree Ivy can climb or trail, making it versatile for various garden settings.
Tree Ivy thrives in well-draining soil that is also fertile. It should be pruned regularly to control its shape and growth.
4. Yew
If you are looking for a shade-tolerant evergreen shrub, then Yew is the perfect choice for you. This drought tolerant shrub has needle-like green leaves that provide year-round interest in the garden.
These shrubs are relatively low-maintenance and can be shaped through pruning however you want. Yews are known for their resilience and ability to thrive in shaded areas.
5. Mahonia
Here is yet another evergreen shrub with unique leaf textures and cheerful flowers. Mahonia shrubs have spiky, holly-like leaves and also produce clusters of yellow leaves in winter and early spring.
Mahonias generally prefer moist, well-draining soil and shady areas. Some varieties, like Oregon Grape, can even be used for their medicinal properties.
Find out more about it here: What Is Oregon Grape? Uses and Side Effects
6. Silver-Leaf Hydrangea
Hydrangeas are popular deciduous shrubs that are known for their shade tolerance. Silver-Leaf hydrangeas produce large leaves with silver undersides along with clusters of white lacecap flowers that can attract numerous pollinators!
This type of hydrangea can tolerate some morning sun, but it grows best in partial to full shade. It can be pruned to maintain a certain shape and size. The flowers are often used for decorations.
7. Heucherella
Heucherella is a shade-loving perennial that exhibits unusual leaves with different colors and patterns. It is the perfect plant for adding color to dark and shady areas of your garden.
They are generally easy to grow – moist and well-draining soil, along with partial to full shade, is all these plants need.
8. Leucothoe
Leucothoe is an evergreen shrub which exhibits dark green leaves that turn beautiful shades of bronze or red during fall. They also produce urn-shaped white flowers that can make your garden look dreamy!
Leucothoe prefers moist, acidic soil and partial to full shade. You can add compost or other organic matter to boost their growth.
9. Rhododendron
You have probably already heard of the famous Rhododendron shrub. There are a lot of cultivars available, so you can choose from a range of flower colors and sizes to suit your style.
With their large and colorful flowers, rhododendrons create a spectacular floral display during spring!
These magnificent shrubs require some care and attention – you will have to adequately water and fertilize them in order to promote flower production. Luckily, they are not too picky when it comes to lighting conditions!
10. Toyon
Toyon, otherwise known as California Holly, is an evergreen shrub that produces lots of red berries! Besides the berries, Toyon is also known for its dark green leaves and clusters of small white flowers.
This special shrub can tolerate different light conditions. However, it is a bit picky when it comes to the soil and prefers growing in a well-draining one.
11. Maple-Leaved Viburnum
We are ending our list with a lovely shade-tolerant shrub called Maple-leaved Viburnum. It gets its name from its maple-like leaves, which turn red and purple during fall. The shrub also produces small white flowers in late spring, followed by dark blue berries that attract birds.
Maple-leaved Viburnum grows best in moist, acidic soil and can tolerate different light conditions. Once established, this plant is relatively resistant to drought.