Are you looking for evergreen shrubs that can tolerate shade? Evergreen shrubs are great additions to any garden because the foliage stays green even during winter. However, not all evergreen shrubs are tolerant of shade. Here are the 6 best evergreen shrubs for shade.
6 Evergreen Shrubs that Tolerates Shade
Below you will find 6 best evergreen shrubs that grows well in shade.
1. Boxwood (buxus)
Boxwoods are evergreen shrubs that does well in shade. Beloved by gardeners, boxwoods will bring a manicured look to any garden. The dense foliage makes boxwoods a good choice for privacy hedges. It is also deer resistant making it a versatile shrub for any garden. If you are looking for evergreen shrubs that grows well in shade, then Boxwoods is a good choice.
How Much Shade can Boxwoods Tolerate?
Boxwoods are evergreen shrubs that grows best in part shade locations (direct sun locations should be avoided for boxwoods). Plant boxwoods in a shady spot in the garden that receives a few hours of morning or afternoon direct sun or in a shaded spot that receives filtered sunlight from overhead tree foliage. Do protect your boxwood from windy locations and make sure you don’t plant it near gutter downspouts.
Boxwoods that Can Tolerate Heavy Shade
Most boxwoods prefer part shade locations but if you have a full shade location you can plant Green Mountain boxwoods. Green Mountain boxwoods can tolerate heavy shade but will not grow as full than if it was planted in a partial shade location.
Boxwoods USDA Hardiness Zone
Boxwoods will grow well in USDA Hardiness zones 6-8.
Ideal Spacing for Boxwoods
Ideal spacing for planting boxwoods will depend on the type of boxwoods you are planting. Generally, for hedges, plant boxwoods 1-2 feet apart since you want the foliage closer together. Another way to calculate spacing for boxwoods is to take the width of the boxwoods when it is mature and divide it by two and that is how far apart to plant your boxwoods. Use our Boxwood Spacing Calculator to determine ideal spacing for boxwoods.
How Fast Can Boxwoods Grow?
Boxwoods are very slow growing evergreen shrubs. They grow slowly at a rate of less than 12 inches per year.
2. Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Holly bushes are evergreen shrubs that grows well in shade. The red berries of holly bushes adds a splash of color to green foliage especially during winter where the pop of red is a welcome addition to the winter landscape. Many gardeners use holly bushes as privacy hedges because of its dense, evergreen foliage. It also has the added bonus of being deer resistant. If you are looking for evergreen shrubs that can tolerate shade, then Holly bushes should be on your list.
How Much Shade Can Holly Bushes Tolerate?
Holly bushes can be planted in partial shade. Holly bushes will need at least 4 hours of direct sunlight. Plant holly bushes in a shady spot that receives a few hours of morning or afternoon sun. A shaded spot in the garden that receives filtered sunlight from overhead tree foliage is also good for holly bushes. Just make sure your holly bush gets at least 4 hours of sunlight a day. Shelter holly bushes from harsh wind specially in areas with colder climate.
Holly Bushes USDA Hardiness Zone
Holly bushes will grow well in USDA Hardiness zones 6-8.
What type of Soil is Best for Holly Bushes?
Holly bushes should be planted in well-drained soil that is slightly acidic, moist and rich.
How Fast Can Holly Grow?
Holly is a slow growing evergreen shrub. It grows approximately 4 to 8 inches a year.
3. Manhattan Euonymus (Euonymus kiautschovicus)
Manhattan Euonymus
Manhattan Euonymus (Euonymus kiautschovicus) is an evergreen shrub that can tolerate part shade. The glossy leaves makes it look a little bit like boxwoods but with foliage that spreads out more than that of boxwoods. Manhattan Euonymus is a fast growing evergreen shrub that grows twice as fast as boxwoods. It grows to an upright, rounded shape to approximately 4 to 6 feet tall with a spread of 3 to 5 feet. Gardeners use Manhattan Euonymus for hedges since it’s a fast growing shrub with dense foliage. If you are looking for an evergreen shrub that can tolerate shade then Manhattan Euonymus is a good choice.
How Much Shade Can Manhattan Euonymus Tolerate?
Manhattan Euonymus is a versatile evergreen shrub that can be grown in both partial shade or full sun. Manhattan Euonymus will need at least 4 hours of direct sunlight. Plant Manhattan Euonymus in a shady spot that receives a few hours of morning or afternoon sun.
Manhattan Euonymus USDA Hardiness Zone
Manhattan Euonymus will grow well in USDA Hardiness zones 5-8.
What type of Soil is Best for Manhattan Euonymus?
Manhattan Euonymus should be planted in well-drained soil with medium moisture. It can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions except wet soil.
How Fast Can Manhattan Euonymus Grow?
Manhattan Euonymus is a fast growing evergreen shrub.
4. Japanese aucuba (Aucuba japonica)
Japanese aucuba (Aucuba japonica) or spotted laurel is an evergreen shrub that grows well in full shade or part shade locations. It is characterized by its glossy, green and gold spotted leaves growing to a height of 6 to 10 feet with a spread of 5 to 9 feet.
How Much Shade Can Japanese Aucuba Tolerate?
Japanese Aucuba is a shade loving evergreen shrub. It grows best in part shade to full shade locations. Do plant it in a location sheltered from strong winds.
Japanese Aucuba USDA Hardiness Zone
Manhattan Euonymus grows well in USDA Hardiness zones 7-9.
What type of Soil is Best for Japanese Aucuba?
Japanese Aucuba grows best in moist, well-drained soil. It can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions except very moist to wet soil conditions. Once established, it is also a drought tolerant shrub.
How Fast Can Japanese Aucuba Grow?
Japanese Aucuba is a slow growing evergreen shrub.
5. Hicks Yew (Taxus × media ‘Hicksii’)
Hicks Yew is an evergreen shrub that grows well in shade. The emerald green, dense foliage of Hicks Yew makes it popular as a privacy hedge. Hicks yews are versatile evergreens that are easy to grow and will survive in any condition. It is slow growing and in 20 years will reach a height of 18-20 feet and width of up to 12 feet wide. It is drought resistant but not deer resistant (yews are a favorite snack for deers). Do keep in mind the berries and leaves of hicks yew are toxic to humans and animals because it contains highly poisonous alkaloids. If you are looking for a dense, evergreen shrub that can grow in shade, hicks yews are a good choice.
How Much Shade Can Hicks Yew Tolerate?
Hicks yews are evergreen shrubs that grows well in shade. It can be planted in part shade or full shade locations.
Hicks Yew USDA Hardiness Zone
Hicks yew will grow in USDA Hardiness zones 4-7.
What type of Soil is Best for Hicks Yew?
Hicks Yew grows best in medium moist, well-drained soil. It does not do well in very moist soil conditions.
How Fast Can Hicks Yew Grow?
Hicks Yew is a slow growing evergreen shrub. It grows less than a foot a year.
6. Rhododendron (Rhododendron)
Rhododendron are evergreen shrubs that grows well in shade. The attractive flowers of Rhododendron bushes makes it a favorite for gardeners. It is also deer resistant which makes it very versatile. The foliage of Rhododendrons does not grow as dense as others on this list so it may not be the best for hedges. Rhododendrons is a top choice for gardeners looking for evergreen shrubs that can tolerate shade.
How Much Shade Can Rhododendron Tolerate?
Rhodendron are evergreen shrubs that grows well in shade. Plant Rhododendron in shade, under the shadows of tall trees. Morning sun with afternoon shade are best for Rhododendrons. Find a north or east facing location in the garden for your Rhododendrons. Make sure you protect Rhododendrons from strong wind.
Rhododendron USDA Hardiness Zone
Rhododendron will grow in USDA Hardiness zones 4-8.
What type of Soil is Best for Rhododendron?
Rhododendron grows best in acidic, medium moist, well-drained soil. It does not do well in wet soil condition.
How Fast Can Rhododendron Grow?
Rhododendron is a slow growing evergreen shrub. It grows approximately 6 to 8 inches a year.
