Trees and Shrubs

SHRUBS FOR SHADY AND MOIST AREAS
The rich colors and elaborate textures of shrubs give shady areas an intimate, mysterious appeal. Using shade-loving shrubs makes a landscape more varied and balanced.
Areas are classified in three levels of shade:
  • Light shade: assumes less than four hours of shade. This shade filters through a small canopy of trees and still allows indirect sunlight. Most sun-loving plants can tolerate this level of shade.
  • Partial shade: assumes half a day of shade, where a building or tree allows sun exposure only for half the day.
  • Full shade: takes place under a thick canopy or on the north wall of a building, where there is virtually no exposure to sunlight.

Full shade gardens provide a special challenge as few plants perform well in so little light. Dry areas are difficult as well. Dealing with moist shade is much easier. Gardeners should observe shady areas to determine their type before planting. Soil moisture should be noted, also. As trees and shrubs become dense, gardeners should track changing shade conditions. Careful observation will alert gardeners when to move plants.

Nature’s shade gardens have soils rich in organic content and thick natural mulch. Mimicking these soil features is important. Ideal soil is moist during dry periods yet well drained and aerated. To accomplish this, make sure the top six inches of the soil have a high organic content. Applying a layer of mulch composed of shredded leaves helps considerably.

Avoid planting within or above trees’ main root systems. To avoid competition for water and nutrients, water deeply and fertilize more often than normal, using the plants as a guideline.

The following is a list of Pasquesi Home and Gardens’ favorite shrubs for shady areas.

Latin Name Common Name Tolerated shade Tolerated Moisture Description
Aesculus parviflora Bottlebrush Buckeye Partial Moderate Bold texture; flowers in deep shade
Aronia arbutifolia Red Chokeberry Partial Wet or Dry Nice color and attractive berries in fall
Aronia melancarpa Black Chokeberry Partial Wet or Dry Nice color and attractive berries in fall
Buxus microphylla Littleleaf boxwood Partial Moderate Evergreen plan with fine texture
Calycanthus floridus Sweetshrub Partial Wet or Dry Unusual brown-purple leaves have pineapple scent; bark and leaves fragrant also
Clethra alnifolia Summersweet Full Wet Sweet scent; flowers in mid-summer
Cornus alba Red-stemmed Tatarian Dogwood Partial Moderate Attractive white-edged leaves; red bark in winter
Cornus mas Cornelia Cherry Dogwood Partial Moderate Berries attract wildlife
Cornus racemosa Gray Dogwood Full Wet or Dry Attractive white berries; suckers form thickets
Cornus sericea Redtwig Dogwood Partial Wet Attractive red bark in winter; grows especially well in wet areas
Cotoneaster lucidus Hedge Cotoneaster Partial Dry Beautiful fall colors; glossy leaves
Euonymus alata Burning Bush Full Moderate Brilliant fall color even in shade
Fothergilla gardenii Dwarf Fothergilla Partial Moderate Beautiful fall color; white fragrant flowers
Hamamelis vernalis Vernal Witchhazel Full Dry Fragrant flowers in November
Hydrangea arborescens Annabelle Hydrangea Partial Moderate Large white flowers
Hydrangea paniculata Panicle Hydrangea or PeeGee Hydrangea Partial Moderate Coarse texture; large flowers
Hypericum species St. Johnswort Partial Dry Blue-green foliage; attractive gold-yellow flowers in summer
Ilex glabra Inkberry Full Wet Dark, shiny evergreen leaves; attractive fruits remain in winter
Ilex verticillata Winterberry Partial Wet Holly-like leaves; attractive fruits
Itea virginica Virginia Sweetspire Full Wet or Dry White flowers in summer; beautiful fall color
Kerria japonica ‘Picta’ Japanese Kerria Full Wet or Dry White edged leaves; abundant yellow flowers
Ligustrum obtusifolium Regel’s Border Privet Partial Dry Interesting horizontal branching pattern; attractive persistent berries
Lindrea benzoin Spicebush Partial or Full Dry or Wet Fragrant stems;
Mahonia aquifolium Oregon Grapeholly Partial Dry Shiny evergreen foliage; yellow clustered flowers with blue berries
Myrica pensylvanica Bayberry Partial Dry Aromatic leaves and stems; tolerates poor soil
Rhododendron Rhododendron / Azalea Partial Moderate Flowers beautifully in spring; attractive evergreen foliage
Rhus aromatica Fragrant Sumac Full Moderate Pleasant fragrance; shiny leaves; dense foliage
Ribes alpinum Alpine Currant Full Moderate Dense foliage; tolerates pruning well
Rubus odoratus Flowering Raspberry Partial Dry Works well as groundcover; attractive fruits
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Indiancurrant Coralberry Full Dry or Wet Attractive blue-green foliage; attractive and plentiful red fruits
Taxus Yew Full Moderate Rich green foliage makes for an excellent background
Vibernum trilobum American Cranberry Vibernum Partial Moderate Attractive flowers and red fruits that last through winter
Viburnum carlesii Koreanspice Viburnum Partial Moderate Attractive fall color; fragrant flowers
Viburnum dentatum Arrowwood Viburnum Partial Moderate Blue fruits attract birds; brilliant fall color
Viburnum prunifolium Blackhaw Viburnum Partial Moderate Blue-black fruits; attractive fall color
 

Pasquesi Home and Gardens is Chicagoland's premier resource for gardeners wanting to create a perfect atmosphere. We have a vast selection of plants, many of them rare and unusual. Our qualified, professional staff is ever-willing to share their knowledge with customers needing advice.

Pasquesi Home and Gardens is a complete resource for gardening, home and pet supplies. There are hundreds of beautiful accents for the home and out-of-doors, and Pasquesi Home and Gardens has an unrivaled collection of containers for indoors and outdoors in many different styles, materials and shapes. Both stores carry a wide range of quality garden tools and outdoor furniture.

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