Landscaping Ideas for Shaded Areas

USDA Zones 2 and 3

• In USDA zones 2 and 3, consider using Russian cypress (Microbiota decussate) as ground cover. This evergreen shrub grows to 2 feet high, spreading out 12 feet in partly shady portions of a landscape. Russian cypress, also called Russian arborvitae, features green-needled branches that change to colors like burgundy in the winter. The shrub does well despite dry conditions. Convallaria majalis var. rosea is a form of lily-of-the-valley for cold climates. It also serves as a ground cover, but is also appropriate for stopping erosion on slopes. This perennial grows between 6 and 12 inches, blooms in April and May and tolerates full shade.

USDA Zones 4 and 5

• Astilbe is a perennial with a reputation for performing well in shaded areas. Heart and Soul is a cultivar growing to 32 inches with stout stems. Heart and Soul is suitable for USDA zones 4 and 5, flowering in June as it generates pinkish to purple flowers. Use it in wet locations and in shady cottage gardens. You can also form colonies of False Solomon's Seal in the shade in these zones. The perennial grows to 3 feet, with arching stems, 6-inch-long leaves, white spring flowers and red fruits. False Solomon's Seal (Smilacina racemosa) is a good fit among hostas, another shade-lover, according to the Washington State University Clark County Extension.

USDA Zones 6 and 7

• Eleutherococcus sieboldianus "Variegatus" is a cultivar of aralia fit for USDA zones 6 and 7, growing as a deciduous shrub to 8 feet high. Armed with thorns, making it a candidate as a screen or hedge, this shrub's major asset is its variegated foliage. The leaves are shades of bright green with white borders. It grows well in full shade and tolerates pruning, pollution and drought. The golden full-moon maple Acer shirasawanum "'Aureum" is a small tree for shady locations. Its mature height of 20 feet allows for use in small yards. The tree has green-yellow leaves that turn red in autumn. Keep Aureum out of a full-sun location; the leaves scorch during summer in direct sunlight.

USDA Zones 8, 9 and 10

• Cold winters are much less of a factor in USDA zones 8 through 10, meaning some tropical species that adapt to shade are potential landscape plants. Japanese holly fern (Cyrtomium falcatum), from countries such as India and Malaysia, grows in shade to 2 feet tall in a vase-like clump. The evergreen Japanese holly fern works in rock gardens, woodlands and in shady borders. Its fronds bear a similarity to the branches of a holly bush. Use a root barrier to limit the spread of Kuma bamboo grass (Sasa veitchii), an evergreen plant that grows to 6 feet. Otherwise, it will spread out and overwhelm a landscape. The variegated foliage, green with white borders, is 12 inches long. This native of Southeast Asia serves as ground cover in shady sites.