Shade Tolerant Trees and Shrubs

Not every yard has plenty of sunshine filtering down on all parts of it. Some have shady areas, either fully shaded or partly shady for portions of the daylight hours. These growing conditions are not conducive for many species of shrubs and trees that require full sun or very light shade. However, an array of evergreens, deciduous shrubs and trees do grow in the shade, giving a landscaper specific options for these venues.

The Japanese plum yew tolerates shade quite well, especially compared to other needled evergreen shrubs. Drought and heat tolerance are other assets of this shrub, which grows up to 10 feet in the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9. Betty Rose, a small Canadian hemlock cultivar, makes a good foundation plant for the shade. It is one of many such shade tolerant hemlock forms, ranging in size from the parent species tree at 70 feet to the 1-foot high Abbott's Pygmy. The hemlocks do best in cool, humid conditions.

Avoid planting the Korean rhododendron cultivar Cornell Pink on a southern exposure in USDA zones, such as 4 or 5. This shrub, able to grow even in full shade if necessary, begins to leaf out or flower a bit too early in such settings, exposing it to potential damage from a late frost, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Bladdernut has interesting foliage; the compound leaves come in three separate parts. Bladdernut, a shrub for the shade in zones as cold as USDA zone 3, grows between 10 and 15 feet. It features flowers resembling miniature bells and its seeds are papery and shaped like eggs. Leatherwood and assorted types of bottlebrush buckeye shrubs also grow in shade.

Glossy-leaved paper plant grows to small tree size in Japan, but in USDA zones 8 through 10, it grows as a shrub. The broadleaf evergreen blooms during autumn, with the white flowers producing black berries. This is a suitable indoor species for rooms that do not receive direct sunshine. Zebra plant is another tropical shrub for the hottest climates, growing in shade to 6 feet. Capistrano and Ken Janeck are rhododendron shrubs of a broadleaf evergreen nature. These rhododendrons withstand exposure to the sun better than other types do; a sun-dappled shade promotes ideal growth.

A Japanese hornbeam tree has hanging seed capsules known as catkins. They hang downward from the branches, giving the species an ornamental feel. Japanese hornbeam grows to between 20 and 30 feet. The American hornbeam grows to 35 feet, with the species able to handle winters in USDA zone 3. American hornbeam has dark green leaves, smooth grayish bark and tolerates shade with no trouble. Hop trees are another type for shady sites, from USDA zones 4 through 9.