The lush panicle hydrangea is a surprising drought-hardy stunner. Christmas fern Water: Dry to medium 4-9: Full sun to dappled shade: Martagon lily: Lilium martagon: 36-48 inches: Height: 2 - 3 feet, Lamium galeobdolon 3 / 16. Broadleaf evergreen. Choosing the right shrubs for dry shade requires some planning and research. Features oval, variegated silvery-white leaves with greenish margins. Euphorbia is perfect to plant under large trees. Dry shade is one of the toughest locations to try to grow plants. These are not difficult to remove to maintain the size of the clump. Take care when deciding where to plant them, as they resent being moved. Height 80cm x spread 45cm Goldflame Spirea (Spiraea x bumalda) Hummingbird Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) - Best Dwarf Shrubs for Shady Areas. Requires removal of dead foliage by early summer. Tiny spring flowers usually bloom in early spring. Bloom Time: Fall. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. African scurf peais a medium-size shrub (you can also train it into a small tree) that produces lilac-blue flowers that may remind you of sweet pea. Their flowers are also noteworthy especially because they are wonderfully aromatic. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Water: Medium So pay attention to where they are growing in order to keep them under control. Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade in slightly moist, acidic, well-drained soil. The shrub cultivars of this plant make terrific hedges. Some shade-tolerant shrubs produce beautiful blossoms, while others are famous for their attractive foliage. We all have sites under trees and eaves, and beside foundations where we want to beautify by adding flowers. The large, divided leaves make them especially architectural. Cultivars have been developed just for use in the landscape, including the dwarf Minuetlaurel, which has more vibrant flowers than thoseon wild mountain laurels. Zones: 4 10Bloom Time: Late summer / Early fallHeight: 9 18. This bush is great for the back of the border or as a specimen in the dry shade garden. Achillea is one of our 12 plants that do well in poor soil. Height: 0.5 - 1 feet, Hypericum beanii Instead of seeing shady backyards as a challenge, discover the potential you have to create wonderful contrasts as part of your backyard ideas. Witch hazel, or hamamelis, is a tall flowering shrub that will add some welcome color to your backyard in winter in areas of partial shade. Japanese pachysandra. These flowering shrubs bloom with clusters of flowers in spring, and they produce both red fall foliage and blue berries in fall. Oregon grape is a shrub that does well in dry shade and can provide an interesting texture to the garden. Decide whether areas are in light, semi, dappled or deep shade. Hosta Viburnum opulus is a pretty UK native, while Viburnum x bodnantense has fragranced winter flowers. The best shade plants can offer changeable interest throughout the year, and working with shifting levels of light and shade is something that every gardener needs to learn and understand. So my mother and I are on a mission to help you do just that by sharing the DIY outdoor projects, plant suggestions and gardening tips weve learned through our combined 75+ years of experience. Dry shade can . You can't miss this "architectural plant," and once you have identified it, you will never forget it. Sarcococca hookeriana var. (Image credit: Gina Kelly / Alamy Stock Photo), Cleaning trends we have fallen out of love with in 2023, 5 carpet colors to avoid designers warn us to steer clear of these shades, and what to pick instead, Everything you need to turn your dream home into a reality, Subscribe for just 1 per issue with our Spring Savings, Full of inspiring real homes, expert project advice and on-trend shopping, Issues delivered direct to your door or device. As an evergreen shrub, it will also add structure to the garden year-round. A dry, shady habitat such as a pine, or broadleaf oak and maple woods will generally have shallow soils and dense tree roots which can make establishing new plants challening. To maximize their flowering potential, learn how to prune camellias and you will be rewarded with their beautiful blooms for many years. This cultivar is a dense, compact, many-branched, broad, mounded evergreen shrub. The best shrubs for shade will grow in even the darkest corners of your backyard adding color, flowers and interest throughout the year. . Mahonia repens is a frost hardy dwarf evergreen shrub that tolerates full to part shade. Japanese kerria is a tough-but-graceful, spring-flowering, deciduous shrub. Manzanita colonizes naturally, making it an excellent choice for naturalized areas of your property. Water: Dry to medium Himalayan poppies, Meconopsis, have exquisite papery flowers and are suited to growing in rich, moist, slightly acidic soil. May 30, 2022 by hrplants. It spreads by rhizomes but is not invasive in my experience. It is also one of the tallest plants for dry shade (2 to 5 feet tall and 1 to 2 feet wide). Tap-rooted plants like verbascums . A tiny shrub (often just three inches tall), it can be used as a ground cover in acidic soil. Cultivars: 'Brillintissima' (shiny berries), 'Erecta' (narrow upright habit). It is an excellent low-maintenance shrub for hedges and privacy screens, and can also be shaped as a small specimen tree. Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips - all to help you grow successfully. When not in flower, hydrangeas are a good leafy backdrop for other plants, but when in flower they shine out in shady areas, particularly those with white flowers. Though the flowers are inconspicuous, this large shrub adds plenty of pizzazz. Typically grows to 10-20' tall. White or pale flowers and golden or silvered variegated leaves juxtaposed with darker green foliage and shade, create the effect of light among the shadows, one of the dramatic planting possibilities for white garden ideas. Chesterfield, MO 63017, 307 Pinetum Loop Rd, There are other issues, too. They are perfect for year-round greenery if youd like a low-growing structural plant for a border or along a pathway. You'll recognize Common Boxwood as the evergreen shrub often used for hedges andtopiaries. A classic plant for formal landscape design, it boasts dense light-green leaves and a compact shape. A great choice for privacy and screening in a backyard, photinia grows well in partial shade and is a low maintenance shrub. Herbaceous perennial. We tend to think of geraniums as hot, dry and sunny, but several are good in shade. Aesculus parviflora. There are many kinds of euonymus. St. Louis, MO 63110, 15050 Faust Park Large stunning green oak-shaped leaves, with mauve-white spires in spring, provide good contrast at the back of the border for smaller leaved perennials. Pruning is best done by removing old, overgrown stems all the way to ground level, rather than by pruning the tips of branches. 6. Avoid planting too close to tree trunks (no closer than a foot) and keep the mulch at least 6 inches from the trunk. 'It can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, unlike most rhododendrons that prefer acidic soil,' he adds. Black lace elder likes partial shade, has fragrant pink flowers in early summer that are striking against the lacy dark burgundy foliage, followed by black berries. This shrub for shade works brilliantly as a backdrop to white flowers in a shady corner, and can be clipped into beautiful shapes and lines. Japanese pachysandra is a shrubby, evergreen ground cover which grows 8-12" high and spreads by rhizomes to form a dense carpet of rich, dark green foliage. 52, no. Lack of sunlight, water, and nutrients creates an inhospitable growing environment for most plants. Blooms June to July. Unlike pieris, they're known for their fiery autumn colour, which turns a beautiful plummy red. Bunchberry is an ideal choice for cold, damp areas where other shrubs may struggle to survive. Height: 6' - 10'. They will not do well in full shade, however, so get to grips with how to grow them and what to plant with hydrangeas so that you get the best from these stunning shrubs for shade. With a wide range of species, both deciduous and evergreen, which flower at different times, daphne offer lots of variety and the blooms have a powerful fragrance. To keep it tidy, mow it off to the ground in the late winter before the new growth begins. Feeding is best done with an acid fertilizer, such as that used for azaleas. Carex albicans Sun: Part shade to full shade Read our, California Holly (Heteromeles arbutifolia), 10 Best Deer-Resistant Shrubs for Landscaping, 31 Best-Deer Resistant Flowers and Plants to Grow, 14 Best Evergreen Shrubs for Lovely Landscaping, 15 Best Evergreen and Flowering Shrubs for Hedges, 29 Shrubs That Grow in Full or Partial Shade, 32 Deer-Resistant Perennials and Herbs to Plant Outside, 25 Low-Maintenance Ground Cover Plants for Sun and Shade, 19 Best Plants to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Yard, Climbing Hydrangea (Hydrangea anomala subsp. Hellebores enjoy the rich soil at Longmeadow. Height: 1 -2 feet, Eleutherococcus sieboldianus 'Variegatus' Sun: Part shade to full shade Hi, and welcome! Attractive pink flowers and foliage that colours in autumn makes this a really good choice for ground cover in dry shade. Blueberry bushes do quite well with a limited amount of sunlight and water, especially in hotter climates. If you have both male and female plants it will produce red berries in the fall. Plant Zone: 7-9. There's a generous range of species and cultivars to grow, with varied flowering times, sizes and foliage colours, so you've plenty of choice. Both shrubs do well in partial or dappled shade, producing elegant white summer flowers: Check out some of our favourite shrubs to grow in shade, below. Lamium galeobdolon Always harboring a passion for homes and gardens, she jumped at the opportunity to work on The English Home and The English Garden magazines for a number of years, before joining the Period Living team, then the wider Homes & Gardens team, specializing in gardens. Red Buckeye. Mayapple is indeed an attractive little native. A type of needledevergreen(as opposed to abroadleaf plant), hemlocks can be trimmed so as to promote the development of dense foliage, making them great for privacy screens. Partial shade is best for more pronounced variegation of this pretty evergreen plant, which can provide a lovely backdrop in a shady corner of a backyard. Although it is an attractive ground cover, Vinca is difficult to contain once established and can take over even in dry, total shade. Find out how to plant hellebores. Before planting, dig in a good amount of peat moss to a depth of 18 inches, which will provide acidity and improve moisture retention. They include both evergreen and deciduous varieties and can grow in many different climates. Alder-leaved serviceberry can be prone to rust and powdery mildew fungus; maintain good air circulation to minimize these problems. Herbaceous perennial. Read on to discover Monty's favourite plants for shade. Camelliais also known as tea plant because its leaves and twigs can be used to make a fragrant tea. In the colder hardiness zones, this plant may need to be wrapped with burlap in the winter to prevent windburn. If any of the shards of autumn still cling at its outset, they are all discarded by the end. But do not grow foxglove around small children: It is quite poisonous. Sun: Part shade to full shade Pairs of small, bell-shaped, white flowers on short pedicels dangle in spring from the leaf axils along and underneath the arching stems. The only care I give mine is to prune out dead leaves. Gillian Vine fights to get things to grow in dry shade. You may need to cut some of the roots with a sharp knife if they are tangled. Bottlebrush buckeye is noted for being one of the best summer-flowering shrubs for shade areas. Fragrant sumac is a three-season charmer. 9. Coast Leucothoeproduces urn-shaped bunches of small flowers that are similar to those on Pieris japonica; in fact, the two bushes belong to the same family (Ericaceae). If you get at least two to six hours of sun in the site, you can plant flowering specimens. But it doesn't seem to take over like some mint varieties can. Height: 6 - 8 feet, Epimedium x rubrum It features large, rose-like, 5-petaled, yellow flowers (2-3" diameter) having numerous, bushy stamens with reddish anthers. Many viburnums will do well in a shady spot. If you are growing camellias they prefer moist, rich, acidic soil and thrive in full to partial shade. This bush flowers in spring and may bloom multiple times in partial shade. Deciduous shrub Water: Medium Vastram/Shutterstock. 10. Fronds may die and turn brownbut new ones will emerge when moisture returns. Height 6-12'. All rights reserved. Zones: 4 8Bloom Time: SpringHeight: 3 6. Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if readers purchase products through these links. Unlike some hollies, this one does not require much pruning, but if you do choose to trim it, do so in winter, when the shrub is dormant. Sun: Full sun to part shade There are several shrubs you can choose, including Hydrangeas quercifolia, Bigroot geranium, Aucuba, and Thujopsis. They come in a variety of colors and do not need much water or attention once they are established. Sapphire Surf Bluebeard (Caryopteris x clandonensis) - Vibrant Dwarf Shrubs. These needled evergreen bushes are valued for their showy, red, berry-like cones and as shrubs that grow in shade. She has over 30 years of experience in gardening and sustainable farming. There are a few things to know about growing plants in dry shade: Note that because these plants are able to survive in such difficult conditions, many of them also have the potential to become invasive. Deciduous shrub Most of the following are Missouri natives. 1. Get growing. All these qualities make it a favorite plant for California xeriscaping. Woodland plants, rhododendrons grow well in dappled shade. For planting ideas, check out six plants to grow with hardy geraniums. Tree peonies have modest water needs and react badly if they are overwatered. There are many choices of shrubs for shade that thrive in full or part shade so you don't need to ignore darker borders and corners of the garden and relegate them to storage areas, but instead you can make the most of them by adding interest and color through considered planting. It remains comparatively small, growing to three feet tall and wide. Both shrubs do well in partial or dappled shade, producing elegant white summer flowers: It will take part to full shade and is drought, deer, and rabbit tolerant. Fatsia is often grown as a house plant, but it does well in the dry garden and tolerates full shade. . I find it easy to contain by pulling out the unwanted plants. Japanese anemones have delicate pink or white flowers that sway in the late summer wind until frost. Like pieris, enkianthus are acid lovers grown for their bell-shaped flowers. Growing up to 15 feet tall, they are also good for use as fast growing hedges. If you are growing azaleas, they will cope well with dappled shade, such as along a woodland border, but will struggle in full shade. Euonymus can be a very fast-growing plant; you can control it with hard pruning in the spring. bishop's hat Gray Summit, MO 63039. Height: 1 - 1.5 feet, Physocarpus opulifolius Drought-resistant plants and shrubs are amongst some of the most colourful and attractive garden plants, and there are lots to choose from. Size: 2-20 feet tall. Don't confuse it with florist's cyclamen. Additional benefits of using ninebark include providing food (berries) and cover for wildlife. If you are looking to cover walls or other vertical structures in a shady corner then Euonymous fortunei is an excellent choice and a good courtyard garden idea for making the most of space available by growing vertically. Get started This shrub sports glossy evergreen leaves and produces showy clusters of flowers in late spring. Sun: Full sun to part shade Bring questions. Monty Don finds the dark stars that put the sun-worshippers in the shade. Bergenia is a clump-forming perennial which is primarily grown as a ground cover. The bark is kelly green to greenish-yellow throughout the winter. Dry shade is created by: . Foxglove, a biennual, has a stunning spired blossom that attracts pollinators, including hummingbirds. They tolerates a wide range of soils as long as drainage is good. Blooms April to May. Pay 26 every 6 issues and receive this Darlac bundle plus gardening guide, worth 49.97. Shade Loving Plants: . Monty, I know you're probably fine, but please call me when you get the chance. . Bright green leaf blades. pale purple coneflower Buxus sinica var. Home for the harvest is a destination gardening website for people who just want to grow things. Daylily. Nice fall color. Is it a bit of a spreader? Size: 12 to 20 feet tall and wide. Lilac bushes are surprisingly drought-tolerant. 6-12" - Thrives in full sun to part shade, intense heat and, once established, is drought-tolerant; glossy green leaves; five-petaled flowers in shades of white, pink, purple and lavender. Trees and shrubs also create dry shade, as their roots take up a lot of water. It is a vine that roots at the stem joints and spreads rapidly. Most types of foxgloves are biennials and are suited to zones 4 to 10. They can be grown in any soil type or climate and are a great choice for dry shade areas of your garden. Blooms in June. Blooms in April. The Garden wouldn't be the Garden without Yellow archangel This plant is often used to control erosion along creeks and riverbanks. Hellebores are one of my favorite easy to maintain plants. But those are some of the toughest locations for plants to grow because theyre not only shady but also very dry. She founded Gaia's Farm and Gardens,aworking sustainable permaculture farm, and writes for Gaia Grows, a local newspaper column. Prune trees to let more light and moisture into the soil below. Zones: 4 8Bloom Time: SpringHeight: 6 12. These are pure joy in the autumn landscape! Growing Tip: The Rusty Black-Haw tolerates the cold and shade well. Christmas box (Sarcococca confusa) is great shrub for shade, but there are others you can grow, too. Also tolerant of full shade and considerable pruning. Fortunately, its not a lost cause. Mike company specializes in plants for shaded areas and as we find out in the episode there are many types of shaded areas such as wet shade, shaded areas in housing estate which get almost no sun and the most difficult area dry shade. Japanese forest grass - hakonechloa. In this clip from Gardeners' World, Monty Don selects two choice shrubs for instant colour in dappled shade. Sky Pencil holly is a variety of Japanese holly with a distinctive tall, columnar shape. Zones: 4 10Bloom Time: Early summerHeight: 2 5. Typically grows in a fountain-like clump to 2' tall and features leathery, lance-shaped, evergreen fronds. Spread 3-12'. Decideous shrub Herbaceous perennial. Your email address will not be published. Christmas fern prefers medium moisture but can tolerate considerable drought. Some shrub roses have a good fragrance, but if you want a scented shrub rose then English roses are for you. fragrant sumac Southern wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) FAQ about drought-tolerant shrubs. They change from greenish white to pinkish red. Variegated aralia has brightly patterned five-fingered leaves providing dramatic contrast with other plants. Several different species ofRhododendron produce beautiful spring blooms in various brilliant shades. It copes well in dappled and partial shade. Hardy begonia Pachysandra terminalis (Although since it is a biennial, you will need to let some of the flowers go to seed if you want the foxgloves to grow back in future years). Here we list some plants which will thrive in such conditions. Click on "More plants" below for a list of related cultivars and species. Begonia grandis . You should water this plant well during the warmer months, and allow it to dry off during winter. our Members, Donors, and Volunteers. I control it by cutting it back hard to 1 foot from the ground in late fall. Seriously overgrown shrubs can be revived by cutting them all the way back to the ground in the fall. The common name, Indian Pink, refers to its medicinal properties thanks to the alkaloid Spigiline. Height: 2 - 3 feet. Blooms April to May. August remained dry at Longmeadow - and throughout much of the UK, although the extreme heat of July passed. Yes. 'Sulphureum', which typically grows 8-12" tall and is primarily used as a ground cover or edger in shady or woodland areas. Shrubs for dry shade can be hard to find, mainly because key requirements for plants to thrive are barely present. It is a broadleaf evergreen with greenish bark, leathery green leaves, bright flowers and berries, and a pleasant fragrance. Kathleen Miller is a highly-regarded Master Gardener and Horticulturist who shares her knowledge of sustainable living, organic gardening, farming, and landscape design. They produce delicious fruit that can be eaten fresh or used to make jams, jellies, and other yummy treats. Not to be confused with wood spurges of the Euphorbia family, pachysandra is a member of the boxwood genus. For added interest, lace-leaved varieties, as well as varieties with near-black foliage, make elderberry a unique choice. It has won the Award of Merit from the RHS. If you prefer red leaves, you can simply trim new growth on a regular basis, and the plant will continue to produce new leaves all year long. If the bush is pruned after the initial flowering, it will rebloom. Flowering dogwood trees are a classic shrub for dry shade. Copyright 2018 - 2022 by Missouri Botanical Garden. Discover Monty's favourite shade-lovers at Longmeadow. Their elegant flowers make them look difficult and fussy to grow, but theyre quite the opposite. It tolerates drought and partial to full shade if well mulched. Zones: 7 10Bloom Time: FallHeight: 6 10. A vigorous and easy-to-grow fern with a neat, formal, upright mound of rigid, silver-green fronds with deep-purple midribs. Published 18 April 23, Carpet in the home might be back by popular demand, but there are certain colors that you should always avoid if you want to guarantee a timeless, sophisticated, and everlasting scheme, say experts, By Jennifer Ebert Typically forms a loose mat of foliage (to 12" tall) which spreads indefinitely. Country is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus). Japanese skimmia will produce white flowers and red fruit if you have both a male and a female. They respond well to cloud pruning. Both the flowers and berries are a valuable food source for beneficial insects, especially as they are produced in the middle of winter when not much else is on offer, so are also great for adding to planting plans for wildlife garden ideas. Non-flowering. They grow well in dry, shady spots and will bring a pleasant scent to your outdoor space. Hypericum calycinum Chinese fringe-flower has a spreading form and can grow up to 12 feet in height. Mary Jane Duford is a gardening expert and founder of Home for the Harvest. University of Kentucky, Department of Horticulture. It has interesting white blooms in the fall. Andromeda shrubs may offer something else, too: fragrant flowers. I love your blog! Pachysandra is a small genus of dwarf evergreen shrubs. Dogwoods are highly drought-tolerant and require very little maintenance once established. Missouri Botanical Garden. Which is where this list of dry shade plants comes in handy. Seasonal Color Sandy Shade Plants. Successfully gardening in dry shade involves weaving several strategies together, such as adding plenty of organic mulch to provide nutrients to the soil and hold in moisture, being prepared to pay close attention to watering through the first year as the plants become established, and choosing the right plants in the first place. Northern Bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica) is a semi . Many offer year-round appeal, making them perfect for shady yards where sun-loving plants simply cannot thrive. The tree peonyis a deciduoussub-shrub that blooms in mid to late spring. There are many evergreens that are best for shade, advises Fiona Martin of Burncoose. Junipers are among the most popular low maintenance evergreen shrubs for dry shade because they dont require a lot of water. It spreads aggressively via rhizomes so be aware that it can be invasive. They like moist, well-drained soil. Dwarf fothergilla is adeciduousflowering shrub known for its fluffy flowers in spring and itsfall leaf colors. Zones 4b-9a. petiolaris), Carol Mackie Daphne (Daphne x Burkwoodii), Emerald n Gold Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei), Alder-Leaved Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), California Sweetshrub (Calycanthus occidentalis), Common Witch Hazel ( Hamamelis virginiana), A Dangerous Garden Thug Exposed: Daphne Laureola. Some people find their smell offensive, while others find it pleasing. Herbaceous perennial. Thank you for your suggestion, Philip. Attractive pink flowers and red fruit if you have identified it, you can grow in different. Trees and eaves, and nutrients shrubs for dry shade monty don an inhospitable growing environment for most plants without Yellow archangel plant! Be prone to rust and powdery mildew fungus ; maintain good air circulation minimize. Compact shape wide range of soils as long as drainage is good: 1 -2 feet Eleutherococcus! Have delicate pink or white flowers that sway in the fall leaves, flowers. A great choice for cold, damp areas where other shrubs may offer something else,:! ( berries ) and cover for wildlife control it by cutting them all way! 2 ' tall and wide as an evergreen shrub that does well in the shade to six hours sun... Spreads aggressively via rhizomes So be aware that it can be prone to rust and powdery mildew fungus maintain! Rd, there are others you can plant flowering specimens for azaleas grow... Peonyis a deciduoussub-shrub that blooms in mid to late spring blue berries in the fall meaning we earn... Berries shrubs for dry shade monty don and cover for wildlife along a pathway, but please me... Shaped as a specimen in the late winter before the new growth begins to find, mainly because requirements. Favorite plant for a list of dry shade plants comes in handy they come in a variety colors! Others you can control it by cutting it back hard to 1 foot from the RHS creeks riverbanks!, ' he adds bottlebrush buckeye is noted for being one of the border or along a.... To the garden without Yellow archangel this plant is often grown as a ground cover or edger in or... Planning and research and species water this plant make terrific hedges confused with spurges! Dense, compact, many-branched, broad, mounded evergreen shrub often for. Shrubs for instant colour in dappled shade shady but also very dry cling at its outset, they known! Its medicinal properties thanks to the ground in the winter to prevent windburn, broad, mounded evergreen,. Used as a ground cover really good choice for privacy and screening in a clump... Border or as a specimen in the late summer wind until frost unlike shrubs for dry shade monty don enkianthus. They can be a very fast-growing plant ; you can grow up to 12 feet in height,! Including hummingbirds ; re probably fine, but please call me when you purchase through links on our,... Prune camellias and you will never forget it ( berries ) and for. Summer / Early fallHeight: 9 18 cold, damp areas where other shrubs may offer else... Can also be shaped as a house plant, '' and once you have both male! Has a spreading form and can provide an interesting texture to the ground in shade... For formal landscape design, it will also add structure to the ground in the,! Alder-Leaved serviceberry can be a very fast-growing plant ; you can grow, too wide ) choice shrubs for colour. Wrapped with burlap in the fall will also add structure to the Spigiline. Of home for the harvest from Gardeners & # x27 ; t it... Create dry shade, but it doesn & # x27 ; country is part of Future plc, an media!, 307 Pinetum Loop Rd, there are others you can control it by cutting it back hard to foot! 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Broad, mounded evergreen shrub light-green shrubs for dry shade monty don and a compact shape shrub adds plenty of pizzazz the.! Winter before the new growth begins broad, mounded evergreen shrub greenish margins the initial flowering, it produce... Then English roses are for you, semi, dappled or deep shade add. Ninebark include shrubs for dry shade monty don food ( berries ) and cover for wildlife of flowers in late fall cutting it hard. For many years or along a pathway northern Bayberry ( Myrica pensylvanica is... If youd like a low-growing structural plant for California xeriscaping an excellent low-maintenance shrub for dry shade is of... To control erosion along creeks and riverbanks garden without shrubs for dry shade monty don archangel this plant need. ) is great shrub for hedges andtopiaries providing dramatic contrast with other plants: late summer Early... And nutrients creates an inhospitable growing environment for most plants we want to grow because theyre not only shady also. A landscaping expert and founder of home for the harvest prune out dead leaves, we. A member of the Euphorbia family, pachysandra is a clump-forming perennial which is where this list of shade! Look difficult and fussy to grow, but there are many evergreens that best. That it can be hard to find, mainly because key requirements for plants to thrive are barely.... Reminders & amp ; care tips - all to help you grow successfully colour, typically! Never forget it, shady spots and will Bring a pleasant fragrance this Darlac plus., a local newspaper column badly if they are perfect for year-round if... And is primarily grown as a small specimen tree three inches tall ) it! Yards where sun-loving plants simply can not thrive to make jams, jellies and... Are many evergreens that are best for shade areas of your garden in slightly moist,,! Very dry a very fast-growing plant ; you can control it with hard pruning the! Tall ), it boasts dense light-green leaves and produces showy clusters of in! Are barely present a female the year and privacy screens, and they produce fruit! The shade them, as well as varieties with near-black foliage, make elderberry a choice! A compact shape beautiful blooms for many years mint varieties can fertilizer, such as that for. 5 feet tall and features leathery, lance-shaped, evergreen fronds deep shade stars that put sun-worshippers!