How Deep Should Garden Borders Be
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The Best Shrubs That Grow in Partial, Dappled, or Deep-Shade Gardens
Willow Sidhe is a nature enthusiast who fully appreciates the challenges of a shady garden.
Shade shrubs are a great way to add color, interest, and privacy to a shady area of your yard or garden. There are numerous shrub varieties that can thrive in light to dense shade, and most will do well in your landscape or home garden. Below, you'll find 10 of the most beautiful and easy-to-care-for shade shrubs. I've chosen varieties with berries, flowers, and color changes that will add interest to your landscape year-round.
Which Are the Best Shrubs to Plant in Shade?
- American Holly (Ilex opaca). Slow-growing but will grow quite high if you have time to wait. The prickly leaves make this shrub hard to get around, so it makes a great barrier. The red berries are lovely but inedible.
- Azalea. A very thirsty but interesting shrub with dark green, glossy leaves and white or purple blossoms.
- Forsythia. A fast-growing deciduous shrub that puts on quite a show with its yellow blossoms at the end of winter.
- Leatherleaf Arrowwood (Viburnum rhytidophyllum). These have leathery-looking leaves that last all year, and they can survive in the darkest corners of your garden.
- Inkberry (Ilex glabra). Another shrub that can survive with very little sun and also the shortest and slowest-growing shrub on this list—it will only grow to eight feet.
- Japanese Andromeda (Pieris japonica). With beautiful clusters of white, fragrant flowers and evergreen leaves that tinge red in spring, this shade shrub is visually dramatic.
- Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata). Compared to the American type, this shrub is much more friendly, with rounded, spikeless leaves and black berries.
- Mahonia. The most drought-tolerant on this list and the only shrub listed that has edible berries,
- Japanese Kerria (Kerria japonica). Deciduous and extremely shade-tolerant, this shrub has a lovely yellow blossom.
- Rhododendron. The most well-known shade shrub, with more than 1000 different species to choose from.
Each of these shrubs is described fully below.
What Does Partial or Full Shade Mean?
- Part Sun or Partial Shade: If the spot gets less than six full hours of direct sunlight, then it's what we call "part sun" or "partially shaded," and choosing a plant that will thrive there will be tricky.
- Full Shade: If the spot gets less than three hours of direct sunlight, with filtered or indirect sunlight the rest of the day, it is what we call "full shade." Finding a plant to survive there will be even trickier.
- Indirect or Dappled Light: Some spots might not get any direct sunlight, but do get a lot of indirect light. When light filters through a canopy of leaves, dappling the plants below with little pieces of sunlight, we call it indirect or dappled light.
- Deep Shade: This term refers to a spot where the shade lasts all day long, with various degrees of indirect light.
How Much Sun Do These Shade-Tolerant Shrubs Need?
Shade Type | Suitable Shrubs |
---|---|
Partial shade (the spot still gets 3–6 hours of direct sun per day or continuous dappled sun) | American Holly, Azalea, Forsythia (plus all the bushes listed below) |
Deep shade (the spot may get less than 3 hours of sun per day) | Leatherleaf Arrowwood, Inkberry, Japanese Andromeda, Japanese Holly, Mahonia, Japanese Kerria, Rhododendron |
American Holly (Ilex opaca)
American Holly is a medium-sized, broad-leafed evergreen shrub native to the eastern United States. It is one of the best shade shrubs for fall and winter, as it displays beautiful foliage all year. Planted near shade shrubs that drop their leaves in winter will ensure interest and beauty year round.
- Shade Tolerance: Light Shade
- Growth Rate: Slow, about one foot per year
- Growth Period: Spring and summer
- Lifespan: Medium
- Maximum Height: 60 feet at maturity, will not exceed 20 feet in 20 years
- Flowering Period: Mid-spring
- Flower Description: Small, greenish white to yellow, appear on young branches
- Fruiting Period: Summer thru fall
- Fruit Description: Small, red berries
- Foliage Type: Evergreen
- Foliage Description: Small, alternate, broad and stiff, yellow-green, shiny above yellow and dull matte below, curved edges with several sharp points
- Water Requirements: Medium, can tolerate dry or swampy soil
Azalea
Azaleas are flowering shade shrubs that are part of the genus Rhododendron. They were originally classified as a completely different genus, but were recently recognized as a sub-genre of Rhododendron. These shade shrubs are toxic to dogs if ingested, so keep them away from any area frequented by the family pet.
- Shade Tolerance: Light Shade
- Growth Rate: Medium
- Growth Period: Spring and summer
- Lifespan: Medium
- Maximum Height: 10 feet, grows about six inches per year
- Flowering Period: Late spring
- Flower Description: Showy, white to purple in color, terminal blooms
- Fruiting Period: Summer thru fall
- Fruit Description: Small, black, conspicuous seeds
- Foliage Type: Evergreen or deciduous
- Foliage Description: Green, thin and soft, pointed
- Water Requirements: High, these shade shrubs need lots of water to thrive
Forsythia
Forsythia plants make beautiful shade shrubs. They are flowering shrubs, and are part of the olive family. Forsythia consists of eleven different species, most of which are native to eastern Asia. The genus is named after William Forsyth, a Scottish botanist.
Read More From Dengarden
- Shade Tolerance: Light Shade
- Growth Rate: Rapid
- Growth Period: Spring and summer
- Lifespan: Medium
- Maximum Height: 10 feet
- Flowering Period: Late winter to mid-spring
- Flower Description: Small, bright yellow, precede leaves, petals joined at base
- Fruit Description: Dry, capsule-like, contains several winged seeds
- Foliage Type: Deciduous
- Foliage Description: Opposite, small and green, serrated or entire margin
- Water Requirements: Medium, water regularly but don't over water
Leatherleaf Arrowwood (Viburnum rhytidophyllum)
Leatherleaf Arrowwood is a species of Viburnum native to various parts of Asia. These shade shrubs are commonly grown ornamental plants that are prized for their shade tolerance and attractive evergreen foliage. They will often grow in areas of deep shade, where other shade shrubs have failed.
- Shade Tolerance: Light to deep shade
- Growth Rate: Medium
- Growth Period: Summer
- Lifespan: Medium
- Maximum Height: 15 feet
- Flowering Period: Mid to late spring
- Flower Description: Yellowish white in color, large, showy, fragrant clusters
- Fruiting Period: Late summer to early fall
- Fruit Description: Red, maturing to black, oval shaped, showy
- Foliage Type: Evergreen
- Foliage Description: Opposite, simple dark green leaves with a pointed apex and entire leaf margin, leathery, downy underside
- Water Requirements: Medium, prefers well-drained soil
Inkberry (Ilex glabra)
Inkberry is also known as Evergreen Winterberry, Gallberry, and Dye-leaves. It is a species of shade loving holly native to the Eastern and Southern United States. These shade shrubs are often grown for ornamental purposes and can tolerate deep shade, if necessary. They retain their leaves from year to year, which makes them a great accompaniment to deciduous shade shrubs.
- Shade Tolerance: Light to deep shade
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Growth Period: Summer and fall
- Lifespan: Long
- Maximum Height: 8 feet, but will not reach more than 5 feet in 20 years
- Flowering Period: Spring
- Flower Description: Small, dull white, inconspicuous
- Fruiting Period: Summer thru fall
- Fruit Description: Small, black and inconspicuous fruit
- Foliage Type: Evergreen
- Foliage Description: Lustrous, dark green, broader above the middle, alternate arrangement, may develop a purple to plum cast in winter
- Water Requirements: High, these shade shrubs need consistently moist soil to thrive
Japanese Andromeda (Pieris japonica)
Japanese andromeda's are shade shrubs in the heath family, and are native to eastern Asia and Japan. They are widely cultivated in home gardens, and are admired for their beautiful, showy flowers. They have a high drought and shade tolerant and are typically easy to grow and care for. They make a great companion planting to deciduous shade shrubs.
- Shade Tolerance: Light to deep shade
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Growth Period: Spring and summer
- Lifespan: Medium
- Maximum Height: 12 feet, but will not reach more than 8 feet in 20 years
- Flowering Period: Early to mid-spring
- Flower Description: Small, white, urn-shaped, weakly fragrant, naked red flower buds are present through winter
- Fruiting Period: Summer thru fall
- Fruit Description: Small, brown, round, capsule shaped, persisting
- Foliage Type: Evergreen
- Foliage Description: Glossy, green, shallow serrations, clustered at tips, new foliage is red in color
- Water Requirements: Medium
Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata)
Japanese holly is another of the best shade shrubs for areas of light to deep shade. It is a species of holly native to eastern China and Japan. It can also be found growing naturally in Korea and Taiwan. It's typically grown as an ornamental plant for its dense, attractive, evergreen foliage.
- Shade Tolerance: Light to deep shade
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Growth Period: Spring and summer
- Lifespan: Long
- Maximum Height: 10 feet, but will not reach more than 4 feet in 20 years
- Flowering Period: Mid-spring
- Flower Description: Small, dull white, inconspicuous, clusters of 3-5 flowers
- Fruiting Period: Fall
- Fruit Description: Borne below the foliage and hidden, not ornamentally significant
- Foliage Type: Evergreen
- Foliage Description: Dark green, lustrous, shiny in winter, broadest in the middle, alternate arrangement, serrated from base to tip
- Water Requirements: Medium
Mahonia
Mahonia is a genus of more than 70 different species. Several species make great shade shrubs for the garden and landscape. The berries are even edible, and rich in vitamin C, although the sharp taste doesn't suit many palates. The genus is named after horticulturist Bernhard McMahon, who introduced the plant using samples from the Lewis and Clark expedition. These shade shrubs make great winter additions to the garden, as their leaves turn an attractive purplish bronze color.
- Shade Tolerance: Light to deep shade
- Growth Rate: Medium
- Growth Period: Spring and summer
- Lifespan: Long
- Maximum Height: 8 feet
- Flowering Period: Early to mid-spring
- Flower Description: Small and showy yellow flower clusters, more abundant towards the tips
- Fruiting Period: Summer
- Fruit Description: Clusters, ripen from green to blue-black, resembles clusters of grapes
- Foliage Type: Evergreen
- Foliage Description: Compound green leaves, alternate arrangement, new growth is reddish or bronze, turns purple to bronze in winter
- Water Requirements: Low, these shade shrubs can tolerate slightly drier soil than most others, but still require occasional watering
Japanese Kerria (Kerria japonica)
Japanese kerria, sometimes known as Japanese Rose, is the only species in the genus Kerria. It is one of the few deciduous shade shrubs that can tolerate deep shade. The genus was named after William Kerr, a Scottish gardener, who introduced the cultivar, Plentiflora. This is one of the most popular shade shrubs used for ornamental gardening.
- Shade Tolerance: Light to deep shade
- Growth Rate: Medium
- Growth Period: Summer to fall
- Lifespan: Medium
- Maximum Height: 6 feet
- Flowering Period: Mid-spring
- Flower Description: Showy, bright yellow single, flowers, will bleach if planted in full sun
- Fruiting Period: Rarely fruits
- Fruit Description: Not significant
- Foliage Type: Deciduous
- Foliage Description: Simple, alternate leaves, bright green, ovulate shaped, crisp in texture
- Water Requirements: Medium
Rhododendron
The word rhododendron literally means "rose tree", and it is one of the most showy and attractive shade shrubs. It is a very large genus containing more than 1000 different species. They are valued for their showy flowers and attractive fall foliage. They can be either evergreen or deciduous, but most all are shade tolerant. The species of these shade shrubs most native to your location will do best.
- Shade Tolerance: Light to deep shade
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Growth Period: Spring and summer
- Lifespan: Medium
- Maximum Height: 15 feet, although many species do not exceed 7 feet
- Flowering Period: Mid to late spring
- Flower Description: Light to dark pink in color, showy, fragrant, borne in groups
- Fruiting Period: Late summer to fall
- Fruit Description: Small, non-ornamental capsules
- Foliage Type: Deciduous or evergreen, depending on species
- Foliage Description: Simple, dark green above and light green beneath, alternate arrangement, whorled at tips, attractive in fall – red, orange and yellow in color
- Water Requirements: Medium
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Shade Shrubs Work for Zones 4, 5, and 6?
Colder climates have even fewer options for shade shrubs, but there are still some wonderful options, including...
- Some azaleas and rhododendrons
- Daphne (especially the Carol Mackie)
- Hydrangea (especially panicle or arborescens varieties)
- Forsythia (especially Northern Gold)
- Mock orange (Philadelphia virginalis)
- Quince (Chaenomeles japonica)
- Dogwood (Cornus)
Winter mulching is always a good idea in colder climates. Help your shade shrubs survive the cold by giving them an extra layer of mulch for the winter.
Which Shade Shrubs Grow the Tallest?
- American Holly. They grow slowly, but a mature plant might achieve 60 feet.
- Leatherleaf Arrowwood. 15 feet at maturity.
- Rhododendron. Some varieties will reach 15 feet.
- Japanese Andromeda. Slow-growing but may grow to 12 feet.
Which Are Fast-Growing Shade Shrubs?
Forsythia is the fastest-growing shade shrub on this list, so if you're looking to fill the space fast, consider planting forsythia.
Which Shade Shrubs Are Also Drought-Tolerant?
On this list, Mahonia is the most drought-tolerant, but it still requires some water, especially while it's getting established. American Holly may do well with less water, also, but don't plant thirsty azaleas or inkberry if you're in a dry zone.
Which Evergreen Shrubs Grow Well in Shade?
If you're hoping for evergreens, these are the shade shrubs that will never lose their leaves:
- American Holly
- Some types of Azaleas
- Leatherleaf Arrowwood
- Inkberry
- Japanese Andromeda
- Japanese Holly
- Mahonia
- Some types of Rhododendron
What Are Shade Shrubs?
Shade shrubs are defined as any evergreen or deciduous shrub that can survive in less than six hours of direct sunlight per day. Some species can only tolerate a little shade, meaning they still want at least a few hours of direct sunlight per day. But other varieties can grow in deep shade, meaning they get little to no direct sunlight at all, although the lack of sun may mean that these shrubs never flower (as they might if planted in a sunnier spot).
How Do I Care for Shade Shrubs?
Shade shrubs have special requirements due to their unique growing environment. You should take extra care to enrich their soil. Keeping the soil moist, mulching, and fertilizing are needed.
Which Shade Shrubs Are the Best?
The best shade shrubs will be dependent upon your specific landscape. First, determine how much shade your plants will be receiving and find shrubs that can survive in that environment. Each garden is different, and you may have to experiment with several different shade shrubs before you find the one that works best for you.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.
Questions & Answers
Question: What are suggestions for ornamental shrubs that get little to no sun, are slow growing, and are no more than 3 ft tall?
Answer: Most of the shade shrubs I know of will get taller than 3 feet if left to grow to their full height. However, any of them can be trimmed to stay at the height you prefer. You can also look for dwarf varieties of American Holly, Azalea, Forsythia (Arnold's Dwarf), Inkberry, Japanese Andromeda (Cavatine), and many more.
© 2009 Willow Sidhe
Toni Shea on March 03, 2020:
Helpful and fun
Thanks
Demetrius Mossaidis on June 10, 2019:
Forsythia is considered invasive and destructive to some larvae, I.e. why not spicebush? Many of the other species listed are not native to the USA. There are lots of native species that do well in the shade. Why do some many authors not push to keep our landscapes more ecological sound?
Bracha Sokolic on February 16, 2019:
Looking for fast growing privacy shrubs, to grow in mostly shady small & moist area, prefer flowery and grow about 15' tall (Skip Laurel type). Also looking to fill up this shady & moist area with 3-5' tall flowery shrubs and fill up ground with monkey grass type, maintenance free. The area is about 8 x 20', gently sloped.
Bill Matheson on November 21, 2018:
Just a quick note. You have a picture of a Chinese holly (carissa I believe) in your Japanese holly section.
Frankie Benson on September 05, 2018:
Lots of good info....thank you!
Peter on August 15, 2018:
This is a through article ! Just the level of infomation I needed ! Thanks.
Rob on June 22, 2018:
Of all the excellent detail you provide on each plant, how can you omit one of the most critical - the USGA Hardiness Zone?
Carla on June 11, 2016:
Good article!
Mary Norton from Ontario, Canada on March 22, 2016:
I had beautiful azaleas in my old house but sadly we had to move. I still miss them.
Jill Spencer from United States on May 25, 2011:
Terrific suggestions! Most people, I think, don't realize azaleas are understory shrubs, and they plant them in full sun, which leads to problems. Glad to learn about mahonia; it's a new one for me. Thanks for the info! Take care, DF
Michael Shane from Gadsden, Alabama on March 25, 2010:
Great hub!
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Source: https://dengarden.com/gardening/ShadeShrubs
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