top of page

The 9 Best Shrubs That Will Thrive In A Shady Garden

glennhrussell77

Southen Living Magazine: Published on October 17, 2024

Discover the best shrubs for shade to enhance your garden's beauty.

By Arricca Elin SanSone

Arricca Elin SanSone is a lifestyle and garden writer whose work has appeared in many national publications including Prevention, Country Living, Veranda, The Spruce, PureWow, and others.



Plenty of shrubs love full sun, but selecting shrubs that do well in shade conditions can be tricky.  Plant tags and descriptions refer to terms such as “full shade” or “part shade,” but what does that really mean when it comes to the amount of light a plant needs? “Overall, part shade or part sun is considered 4 to 6 hours of bright sun each day, or filtered light throughout the day, such as under a high, open tree canopy,” says Stacey Hirvela, horticulturist with Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs. “Full shade is considered fewer than four hours of sun each day.”

In hot climates, sun intensity matters, too. If a site meets the definition of part sun/part shade but the sun exposure occurs during the hottest part of the day (roughly noon to 4 P.M.), treat the area more like a full sun spot in terms of plant selection and care, says Hirvela.

Also, remember that most shrubs need a little sun to do their best. For those varieties that grow in full shade, expect that their form to be less dense and more open and airy. If they flower, there also will be fewer blooms, says Hirvela.

If you aren’t sure how much sun or shade an area gets, watch the area for a few days and think about how you’d feel sitting in that spot. On a hot and sunny summer day, how many hours can you comfortably spend in that location? “A full shade spot will be comfortable nearly all day, while a part sun/part shade spot will be comfortable for at least half of the day, ideally during the hottest part of the day,” says Hirvela.

01of 09

Azalea




/ Getty Images

  • Botanical name: Rhododendron spp

  • Sun exposure: Part shade

  • Soil type: Slightly acidic, well drained; does not tolerate heavy clay

Azaleas are the darlings of the South, with good reason. They’re heat tolerant and offer masses of blooms in bright saturated colors ranging from pure white to salmon to pale yellow to hot pink. Newer, reblooming types bloom in spring and again in the fall.

Varieties for the South: Perfecto Mundo Reblooming series (such as Orange, Double White, Red, Double Dark Pink)

02of 09

Summersweet



Getty Images

  • Botanical name: Clethra alnifolia

  • Sun exposure: Part shade

  • Soil type: Slightly acidic, average to wet

This deciduous native plant is naturally suited to shade gardens. The gorgeous upright panicles of fragrant flowers appear in mid to late summer, attracting pollinators such as butterflies.

Varieties for the South: Vanilla Spice

03of 09

Sweetspire



Getty Images

  • Botanical name: Itea virginica

  • Sun exposure: Part to full shade

  • Soil type: Average, well-drained, moist

Also known as itea, this native species is covered in fragrant flower spikes in summer. Pollinators adore it! In full shade this deciduous shrub typically produces fewer flowers.

Varieties for the South: Fizzy Mizzy

04of 09

Fothergilla



Katrin Ray Shumakov/Getty

  • Botanical name: Fothergilla spp

  • Sun exposure: Part shade

  • Soil type: Acidic, moist

This handsome deciduous shrub has fragrant white bottlebrush-like spring flowers and colorful fall foliage. Some types reach up to 6 to 10 feet tall, but dwarf varieties that max out at 2 to 3 feet tall so they work in smaller gardens.

Varieties for the South: Legend of the Small

05of 09

Sweet Box



Getty Images

  • Botanical name: Sarcococca hookeriana

  • Sun exposure: Part to full shade

  • Soil type: All types, well-draining

Sweet box is a broadleaf evergreen with late winter to early spring thread-like blooms that attract pollinators. It’s typically used as a tall groundcover or planted at the front of borders. It’s also deer-resistant.

Varieties for the South: Sweet & Lo

06of 09

Viburnum



Southern Living/Adrienne Legault

  • Botanical name: Viburnum spp

  • Sun exposure: Full sun to part shade

  • Soil type: All types, moist, well-draining

There are many species of viburnum, with some that will tolerate part shade conditions. They range in size from 2 to 15 feet tall and are excellent low-maintenance shrubs. Read the plant tag to make sure a variety you’re considering tolerates shade.

Varieties for the South: Moonlit Lace, Red Balloon

07of 09

Oakleaf Hydrangea



ffaber53/Getty Images

  • Botanical name: Hydrangea quercifolia

  • Sun exposure: Part shade

  • Soil type: Slightly acidic, well-drained

These native hydrangeas make a beautiful addition to gardens with their large leaves and dramatic flowers. They’re the only type of hydrangea that offers autumn foliage color.

Varieties for the South: Li’l Annie Oakleaf, Autumn Reprise Oakleaf

08of 09

Mahonia



Southern Living/Vlasova Evgeniya

  • Botanical name: Mahonia spp

  • Sun exposure: Part to full shade

  • Soil type: All types, moist, well-draining

Mahonia is a lesser-known shrub that deserves a spot in your shade garden for its evergreen foliage and cheery yellow flowers in later winter to early spring. New hybrid varieties have even more colorful foliage and flowers.

Varieties for the South: Groovy Glow, Funky Flow

09of 09

Boxwood



Roger Foley

  • Botanical name: Buxus spp

  • Sun exposure: Full sun to full shade

  • Soil type: All types, especially sandy and well-drained

Boxwoods are a favorite deer-resistant shrub for many landscapes. They will tolerate full shade, but be aware that their color will be muddy green, rather than bright green. They also will appear more open and sparse.

Varieties for the South: Sprinter, Wintergreen

13 views

Recent Posts

See All

Why Homeowners Insurance Isn’t Enough

Risk management: Why you may need umbrella liability insurance Legal Concerns-- Article by Jason Van Steenwyk Jan 31, 2017 2017 Article...

(757) 233-9595

4605 Pembroke Lake Circle, Unit #203

Virginia Beach, VA  23455

Website for property managers by Goodjuju

bottom of page