Shrubs That Can Grow in Partial Sun & Partial Shade

Although there are hundreds of shrubs available, your options become far more manageable when you look for plants that can tolerate partial sun and partial shade, and are also hardy in your growing zone. When you narrow it down further among flowering, non-flowering or evergreens, your choice becomes even easier.

Only a few evergreens can tolerate growing in partial sun, like yews and rhododendrons. Being native to the northern states, these evergreens will thrive up to the U.S. Department of Agriculture growing zone 4, and can grow in zones 5 to 7 with a little extra care. You need slightly acidic soil in an area protected from wind, heat and full sun exposure, with well-drained moist soil.

Flowering shrubs add ornamental beauty to your landscaping. Shrubs that flower in partial shade include serviceberries, redbuds, arrowwood viburnum, and dogwood, which produce flowers in spring, and witch hazel, which produces yellow blooms in the fall. Although most of these shrubs need moist but well-drained soil to grow, gray dogwood and arrowwood viburnum can tolerate most types of soil and grow in partial sun. Shrubs like false indigo will grow in wet soil. These shrubs will grow anywhere from zones 2 to 8, but if you live in the warmer growing zones, water them frequently to help them survive the heat.

Partial-shade, non-flowering shrubs include the alpine currant and some species of sumac (others produce flowers). There are also slow-growing trees like the American hornbeam and ironwood. These plants can tolerate growing in zones 3 to 8, making them versatile landscaping choices for areas with partial sun.

Unless specified otherwise, most shrubs grown in partial sun require well-drained, loamy soil that is slightly acidic. They may require the soil to stay moist, but if water collects where these shrubs grow then the root systems might rot. Although there are a few partial-shade shrubs suitable for growing in clay-like and wet soil, like pussywillow shrubs, generally plants grown in that kind of soil need full sun to thrive, and may require more maintenance to live in partial-sun conditions.

Nurseries and landscaping companies should be familiar with the best kinds of partial-shade or partial-sun shrubs for your area. If they do not have a wide enough selection or you want more information, contact a botanical garden. Some state universities have agriculture programs with trained professionals to advise you.