The Best Hedges for the Shade

While plants need sunlight, there are some plant species that do not want too much sunlight. This makes these plants ideal for parts of the home where buildings block much of the sunlight. Shade-tolerant hedges can be planted throughout the property and will provide privacy and often beautiful flower blooms. Some of the most powerful shade-tolerant hedges are not only attractive, but easy to care for.

Menispermaceae is a rapidly growing hedge that can survive well in light shade. Light shade is an area that has some sunlight, but is mostly shaded. This plant does not grow too rapidly, though, so gardeners can keep the plant under control. The hedge has dark foliage that serves as a backdrop for flowering shrubs.

The Alpine currant is a hedge that can handle shade. Midwest Garden Tips named this hedge one of the best due to its ability to adapt to a variety of conditions, including very cold weather. Shear this hedge frequently to keep the hedge neat without putting a lot of strain on its growth. This hedge can resist diseases very well. It can also tolerate wind, alkaline soil and dryness.

The arborvitae is one of the most commonly used privacy shrubs, according to Shaker Hill Nursery. While it can handle moderate shade, it prefers full sun. This plant forms very dense foliage, yet the plant can be trimmed very easily. It grows to be about 3 to 10 feet wide and can handle loamy, heavy soil or dry, sandy soil. During periods of drought, it can become vulnerable to pests.

Podocarpus macrophyllus is an excellent hedge shrub because it requires little maintenance and grows very densely. This plant forms blue cones for flowers. While this plant does well in light shade, it prefers full sun.

The Amur maple is a rugged hedge that can turn yellow and red. This shrub does great in moist soil. The shrub grows about 20 feet tall and grows 20 to 25 feet wide. Pruning this hedge can make it very dense. The plant has a rounded shape and does well in a variety of conditions.

Firs are another good privacy hedge that has long and glossy needles. These plants can survive well in a broad range of soils and can handle some shade. They can grow very tall, at 50 feet, and wide, at 20 feet. While they like heavy soil, they can survive in sand if watered frequently.

The natal plum has dark and glossy leaves. The white pinwheel flowers make this hedge popular. The branched spines make it impossible for someone to pass through the hedge, making it a good choice for security perimeters. This hedge can survive droughts.