10 Best Shrubs for Shade

Rhododendron — Photo:
undefined undefined / GETTY IMAGES

If you're struggling to find plants to grow in the areas of your landscape that don't get much sunlight, consider planting a few shade-loving shrubs. Whether you want to add a pop of color to a covered porch or fill in a bare area under a large tree, there are plenty of shrubs that enjoy shade. From woody perennials to vining varieties, these shrubs grow well in areas with partial to full shade.

01 of 10

Mahonia

Mahonia is an evergreen shrub with intricate leaf texture that infuses movement into shady spaces. For a thorn-free variety, try 'Soft Caress' Mahonia (Mahonia eurybracteata 'Soft Caress' PP20183). It has deep green foliage that shines year-round and bright yellow flowers that provide a pop of color in early winter. “This variety of Mahonia has a beautifully compact growing habit with foliage that mimics bamboo, without the aggressive spreading habit," says Janet Sluis of Sunset Plant Collection.

Zones: 7 to 10
Size: 3 to 4 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
Growing Conditions: Part shade; well-drained soil.

Find Your Garden Zone Here

02 of 10

Rhododendron

Add color to the shaded areas of your garden with rhododendrons, which have beautiful bold blooms. There are many different types of this woody shrub, but Southgate Radiance Rhododendron (Rhododendron hybrid 'Tyler Morris') is a variety known for its impressive heat tolerance—perfect if you're living in a warmer, drought-prone climate. Its flowers start as deep lavender buds that unfurl into a light shade of purple. “The Southgate collection of rhododendrons are evergreen and absolutely beautiful," says Jim Putnam from Southern Living Plant Collection. "They were selected and bred for a compact growing habit, heat tolerance and pest resistance.”

Zones: 6 to 9
Size: 4 to 5 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
Growing Conditions: Part shade to full shade; well-drained soil.

03 of 10

American Filbert

Shrubs, like American filbert (Corylus americana), are a wonderful way to bring interest to your landscape across multiple seasons. "American Filbert flowers in clusters of long dangling catkins, dancing in the wind and adding movement to late winter landscapes," says Pandora Young, senior ecology technician at Longwood Gardens. "American Filbert also produces tasty nuts, enjoyed by people, squirrels, and other wildlife." It's best grown in locations where it can spread, so make sure you give the shrub plenty of room to grow.

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 10 to 16 feet tall x 8 to 13 feet wide
Growing Conditions: Full sun to full shade; tolerant of a range of soils

04 of 10

Silver-Leaf Hydrangea

Welcome pollinators to your yard with silver-leaf hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens ssp. radiata). "The white lace cap flowers in early summer, are loved by pollinators, and the dried flowers can persist, adding textural interest to fall and winter gardens," says Young. Its flowers bloom on new wood and can be cut back to 12 inches in late winter, which allow it to be easily maintained as a medium sized shrub.

Zones: 4 to 8
Size: 3 to 5 feet tall x 3 to 5 feet wide
Growing Conditions: Part shade; well-drained soil

05 of 10

Maple-Leaved Viburnum

Maple-leaved viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium) is more shade tolerant than most other viburnums, making it a great addition to the dimly lit patches of your yard. "Small, white lace-cap flowers in spring give way to berries loved by birds that grace the maple-like leaves of Maple-leaved Viburnum," says Young "Its bright green foliage becomes a distinctive bright red, pink, or purple in the fall."

Zones: 4 to 8
Size: 3 to 6 feet tall x 3 to 6 feet wide
Growing Conditions: Part shade to full shade; acidic, moist, well-drained soil

06 of 10

Bottlebrush Buckeye

Although bottlebrush buckeye (Aesculus parviflora) produce more flowers in locations with greater sunlight, the shrub can still grow and thrive in shade. "Tubular white flowers arranged in breathtaking candlestick-like panicles make bottlebrush buckeye a great summer-flowering shrub for shady areas." The panicles, which can grow up to 1 foot in length, attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

Zones: 4 to 8
Size: 8 to 12 feet tall x 8 to 15 feet wide
Growing Conditions: Part shade to full shade; moist, well-drained soil

07 of 10

Heucherella

Play up the sense of drama in the shaded areas of your yard with Twilight' Heucherella (Heucherella hybrid 'Twilight' PP25723), which has dark foliage in shades of purple, burgundy, and silver tones. It's also a great shrub to plant if you're looking for something to complement the colors of surrounding plants. “The top of each leaf is a charcoal green that is accented by a bright purple underside," says Putnam. "With that pop of contrast, it’s an absolutely stunning plant.”

Zones: 4 to 9
Size: 9 inches tall x 24 inches wide
Growing Conditions: Part shade; moist, well-drained soil

08 of 10

Tree Ivy

Want the beauty of a vining plant without its fast spreading nature? Try shade-loving fatshedera (× Fatshedera lizei). The vine-like evergreen has trailing or climbing stems that won’t root into stucco or spread aggressively. “This is truly one of my favorite winter interest plants," says Putnam. "It has attractive variegated foliage and can effortlessly climb or crawl to fill a shaded area.”

Zones: 7 to 9
Size: 5 to 6 feet tall x 4 to 5 feet wide
Growing Conditions: Part shade to full shade; fertile, well-drained soil

09 of 10

Leucothoe

Lauded for its narrow and glossy green foliage, leucothoe is a great addition to any shaded landscape. Squirt fetterbush (Leucothoe axillaris 'Squazam') is a showy variety that produces charming, urn-shaped white flowers that complement the plants already gorgeous leaves, says Rich Christakes, founder of Ship My Plants.

Zones: 5
Size: 3 feet tall x 6 feet wide
Growing Conditions: Part shade to full shade; moist, well-drained soil

10 of 10

Yew

Yew shrub — Catherine McQueen / GETTY IMAGES

A heat-tolerant and drought-resistant evergreen, Yew has lush, needle-like dark green foliage. Yewtopia Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Plania’) is a variety known for its adaptability and resistance to pests and disease. “Yewtopia Plum Yew is a versatile plant that works well as a four-season border," says Putnam. "Its glossy, deep green foliage adds an element of sophistication, and its compact foliage maintains rich color even in winter.”