We all spend that part of the yard often in the shade most of the day. Many of us are confused as to what exactly is in these difficult yard areas, because so many first time gardeners are under the assumption that the maximum amount of sunlight a shrub needs to produce flowers. But this is not false. There are many lovely shrubs available that actually thrive in shade or shade only.
Here are five favorite shade loving shrubs that can easily grow in the Pacific Northwest climate.
1) Azalea and Rhododendron
Azalea is in the Rhododendron family, so I’m listing them together here. Both in the humid climate of the Pacific Northwest. They can wander to great heights and their longevity is legendary. Some of these large bushes are literally hundreds of years old. Both Azalea and Rhododendron are wild tree like plants which are very hardy in extreme winters. There are deciduous varieties and evergreen varieties, which means that some shed their leaves in winter, while others retain their leaves there. Both thrive in partial to full shade for me.
The variety of flower colors fluctuates in detail. You can choose white, peach, pink, red, yellow, and white can come in a variety of shades and colors. They bloom in early to late spring hanging on the plant.
Please remember that all varieties in this shrub family are toxic so consider if you have children or care2) Burning Bush
This bush does not bloom, but it strikes so I’m including it in my list of favorites, because it always holds a place in my heart.
This is a very hardy shrub that reaches ten feet in height, but it can be thought to be kept to smaller sizes. During the summer and spring months it is only a typical bush with green leaves, but in autumn it adapts to a display of errant proportions. This bush bursts into vibrant shades of red, gold, and pink. It really looks like a bush burning.
3) Hydrangea
The hydrangea is well known for its abrupt beauty. The flowers are huge and can be cut inside your home to make beautiful bouquets. They are also excellent for drying for long-lasting flower arrangements.
The uniqueness of this plant makes it well cultivated. You can literally change the color of the blooms based on the acidity of the soil you want to produce. If the soil has a high acid content, the flowers will be blue and if the soil is more lime, the flowers will be pink.
There are many varieties of Hydrangea’s that vary in the pattern and size of the leaves. There is no way to decorate the porch or from the ground. There are also climbing varieties that are easy to hang from a trellis on the shady side of your house that are difficult to fill.
4) Viburnum
This small shrub is very conspicuous with large flowers often very aromatic. The colors range from white to pink and usually arrive in spring.
There are several varieties of viburnum. Some will be deciduous, some evergreen in nature. Everything is small and compact. They tend to grow and bloom easily with minimal care. They are the first gardener’s best choice for a beautiful shrub that has a very attractive flower display.
5) CISSANTHEMOS
There are many varieties of chrysanthemums. Some are bushes, others are vines. There are actually over 150 varieties. But all these have one important point, they grow easily and will flourish in the shade with minimal care.
Different varieties will produce small pink, red, orange, or white flowers. Some of these produce berries, which are adored by oscines. Some flowers tend to be completely scented, while others do not hold a scent.
The cissanthemus bush grow is quite large and towering to a height of ten feet and a spread of ten feet, but you can also easily cut the grass without harm. These shrubs are usually fast growing and many people use them as hedges in sunny and shady spots.
All varieties of cissanthemos are hardy even in harsh climates. Some varieties also hail from Russia where they survive the extreme winter.
The cissanthemus and diversity of this wonderful shrub cannot be overlooked. In almost all landscapes.
The choices for shade-loving shrubs are quite large. This is the only form of my favorite that I have successfully grown in my Oregon home. Just remember not to let the shade move you, because you have a variety of plants and shrubs to choose from in difficult areas.
