In every garden, there is a place that is deprived of sunlight for most of the day. If you think that nothing but grass grows in such a place, you are wrong. You can plant beautiful flowers and shrubs in a shady spot. What shrub species will work best in a shady garden?
4 main rules for planting shrubs in a shady spot
- Don’t plant plants with multi-colored leaves because the leaves need sunlight to discolor.
- It is worth knowing that most shade-loving plants have dark green leaves.
- Do not plant shrubs that have large flowers.
- When planting, make sure there is enough distance between the plants.
TOP 13 shrubs that can be grown in shade
1. Boxwood evergreen
This shrub does not shed its leaves for the winter, so you can enjoy its view all year round. It can be also freely formed, thanks to that it becomes even more attractive. This shrub has got low cultivation requirements. Its biggest threat is the boxwood moth – it causes the death of the whole shrub if it is noticed too late.
>> See also: Boxwood moth. Control methods
2. Meserva holly
Holly is associated with Christmas. This plant is green all year round. It is resistant to changing weather conditions. It tolerates pruning well, so it is perfect for hedges. It needs fertile, humus soil with constant moisture – in summer it needs to be watered regularly
3. Mahonia vulgaris
This shrub is very popular in cities because of its versatility and low cultivation requirements. It grows in every kind of soil, but it requires constant humidity. It bears yellow, melliferous flowers, which in October can be used for picking fruits, which can be used for example for preserves
4. Rhododendrons
Rhododendrons grow best in shady places in the garden. They require acidic, constantly moist soil and a position sheltered from the wind. They bloom shortly but very intensively.
5. Water lily
Poisonous but beautiful spring flowering shrub. We should avoid this bush if there are small children in the house. It needs fertile soil with constant humidity. Waterlily doesn’t like pruning.
6. Ryegrass
The ryegrass is perfect for hedges, because it grows up to 2,5 m high and blooms from May to June. It requires fertile soil with constant moisture
7. Japanese aucuba
Japanese Aucuba is suitable for growing in pots on a terrace or balcony. It grows up to 1,5 m high. It requires fertile soil.
8. Bouquet hydrangea ‘Ammarin’
Hydrangea bouquet variety “Amarin” grows up to 1,5 m high. Its characteristic feature are big ball-shaped blossoms. The shrub needs light acidic soil and constant fertilization.
9. Common yew
Yew is a large shrub that grows well even in adverse conditions. It is perfect for hedges and for forming. Yew is a year-round green plant, which does not require cultivation.
10. Siberian microbiota
Siberian Microbiotic is a spreading coniferous shrub, growing up to 1.5 m high. This plant changes the coloration of needles from green to more brown in autumn and winter.
11. Alpine currant
Alpine Currant is a shrub, which grows up to 2m high. This plant is perfect for hedges. It is frost resistant and has no soil requirements.
12. Chenault’s Snowberry ‘Hancock
Hancock is a low and dense shrub. It grows up to 1m tall. It grows up to 1 m high and 1,5 m wide. It is suitable for planting under tree crowns.
13. Tartarian honeysuckle ‘Arnold Red’
Tartarian honeysuckle is a dense shrub that grows up to 3 m high and about 2.5 m wide. It has no soil requirements and is very frost hardy.
