Why Are Shade Growing Shrubs Good for Your Garden? Let’s find out!
Stop ignoring the darker spots of your garden! Are there any spots in your yard that don’t get much sunlight? You’ll need some shrubs that are growing in the shade and they will immediately brighten up the darkest corners and borders of your garden. They can serve as leavy foil to other plants and you can play with them by creating a wall or a border.
If you want to add color and interest in the areas of your yard that have been ignored and relegated to storage, there are a lot of available alternatives.
Working with textures and levels of light is something essential for every professional gardener. So, you shouldn’t see shady backyards as a challenge anymore! You have a great potential to make the best out of your garden, by using your ideas and some easy gardener tips. Just believe in yourself and the results will be breathtaking!
Shrubs give life to your garden! They attract the birds and provide shelter, while they also provide nectar-rich flowers that attract bees and butterflies.
The list found below contains a lot of flowering, native, evergreen, and most importantly, low-maintenance options to color your garden and make it look brighter.
These are the best 10 shrubs to grow in the shade and can immediately change the aspect of your garden:
1. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas shine out in shady areas, especially those with white flowers. They also make a good leafy backdrop for other plants when they are not in flower. These shrubs are very easy to maintain and can transform the way your garden looks immediately. If you have a lot of shade in your garden, you should definitely opt for them.
2. Sarcococca
Sarcococca loves shade! Depending on your taste, you can opt for different kinds of Saracococca. For example, one of the most loved and popular ones is Sarcococca hookeriana with her pink-tinged flowers. It has long, pointed leaves and scented blooms, while Sarcococca ruscifolia is more compact. Keep in mind that the leaves can lose luster and may burn in full sun.
3. Skimmias
Skimmias are probably some of the most beautiful shrubs, considering that they stay green all year. Their scented flowers and clusters of rosy red berries can immediately brighten up shady areas, offering a unique glow to your garden. Bees love them too! Their nectar-reach blooms are popular for attracting bees. So, in case you are afraid of them… you might better opt for another type of shrub.
4. Hardy Schefflera
Do you want to opt for a more exotic look for your yard? Then, Hardy Schefflera is the best choice for you. Schefflera rododendrifolia and Schefflera taiwaniana are 2 of the most popular options when it comes to Schefflera. They are part of the Aralia family which includes familiar plants like fatsia and ivy, both of each enjoy shade too.
5. Daphne
Daphne is known for their incredibly strong and pleasant fragrance! The beautiful colored flowers will immediately change the aspect of your garden and transform it into an oasis. There are a lot of species available, so you can choose the one that suits your tastes. It’s important to note that once they are planted, they resent being moved. So, choose wisely!
You can purchase Daphne from J. Parker’s, Thompson & Morgan, Crocus, or Sarah Raven.
6. Enkianthus
Enkianthus are acid lovers and beautiful bell-shaped flowers. Their beautiful autumn color is what makes them super popular. And that is not all! They are turning into beautiful plummy red, depending on the season.
Enkianthus can be found at J. Parker’s and Thompson & Morgan.
7. Pieris
Piers are very similar to Enkianthus and are acid-loving shrubs and if you are gardening on ericaceous soil, they are a good choice. Evergreen foliage provides year-round interest and they also combine well with other shrubs such as rhododendrons and camellias.
You can buy Pieris from J. Parker’s, Thompson & Morgan, and Crocus.
8. Pachysandra
Pachysandra is a very small shrub, but also a very spectacular one. They grow under the sun, being useful as ground-cover plants in dry shade. Even though their flowers are not the main character, the green shade and the shape of their leaves will beautifully decorate your shady garden spots.
9. Viburnums
Viburnums will do well in shady spots. Remember that if you want an evergreen color you should opt for Viburnum davidii or Viburnum tinus. They can be found at J. Parker’s, Thompson&Morgan, Crocus, or Sarah Raven. Their little and brighter, white flowers will change how your garden looks by providing elegance and a little sophistication. Viburnums are also very easy to maintain and will make your neighbors jealous. They are the kind of plants that everyone thinks need a lot of attention, but in reality, you just have to make the bare minimum for them to look amazing.
10. Chaenomeles
Chaenomeles are really spectacular! Once you see the flowers you immediately start to dream about colorful and breathtaking Japanese gardens. Isn’t that amazing that they are very happy to grow in shade? It means that it wouldn’t be that hard to find a good spot for them. Besides their unique aspect, they also smell amazing. Trust us, you’ll start spending more time in your garden just to be around them. And that is not all! They aren’t fussy at all about soil types, including clay, and can be easily trained against a wall.
Do this before purchasing any shrub…
First of all, decide which areas of your garden can be improved and where you would like to place some extra light and texture. After you choose the perfect spot for your shrubs, you can go for it and start the planting process. It’s very important to carefully choose the spots for your new plants and make sure everything matches. Also, check your US hardiness zone to make sure the shrubs you want can survive and grow well in your local climate.
Don’t forget about the soil! See the soil requirements of your chosen shrubs and compare them with what you have in your yard. Not all the shrubs like to be in big shade, so that’s another aspect you should take care of. Getting informed before getting into action is essential in gardening if you don’t want your plants to end up dying and your garden to look bad.
If you found this article interesting and you want to know more about this topic, you should also read 10 Garden Plants Your Pets Will Love to Eat. Want to reduce your pet’s food costs and also have a beautiful garden? You’ll find the answer here and all you’ll have to do is follow some simple gardening hacks.
Vegetables and fruits are important not only for the human diet but also for our pets’ health. They provide vitamins and minerals to protect their cells from disease. And that is not all! Growing plants specifically for your pet will not only help you save some money but will also change the entire aspect of your garden! We know how expensive it can be to have a pet. There are never-ending problems that cost you a significant amount every single month…
