Shade Plants for Zones 9 & 10

Broadleaf Evergreens

• Rhododendron sinogrande is an evergreen tree form of rhododendron, suitable for zones 9 and 10. Growing as tall as 35 feet, the plant prefers rich, acidic soil and does best in a sun-dappled shade environment. The species has leaves as long as 3 feet and white to yellow April flowers, makinge this a fine addition to woodland gardens. Glossy-leaved paper plant, Fatsia japonica, grows between 6 and 16 feet. It tolerates the winter outside in zones 9 and 10. The dark green leaves feature as many as nine lobes and the plant, a native of Japan, generates cream-colored flowers yielding black berries.

Deciduous Shrubs

• The bigleaf hydrangea, Hydrangea macrophylla, does not bloom in cooler climates, but this is not a concern for those in zones 9 and 10. Cultivars such as "Blue Wave," "Lemon Wave" and "Golden Sunlight" have varying features, including Golden Sunlight's yellow early foliage and pink flowers. Bigleaf hydrangea absolutely loves the shade and its many applications include use along foundations or as a specimen. Leatherwood, Dirca palustris, grows in the sun, but direct sunlight causes the foliage to burn. Keep the shrub in shade in Zone 9; the leaves of this 4- to 6-foot-tall shrub turn bright yellow in autumn.

Sedges

• Accent a shady area of zone 9 or 10 with Carex phyllocephala "Sparkler," a species of sedge resembling a miniature palm. The stems grow to 24 inches, with variegated foliage at the ends. The leaves are narrow, with the green centers edged by white borders. Rock and shade gardens are venues for this form of sedge. The drooping leaves of the umbrella plant, Cyperus alternifolia, give this sedge the appearance of an umbrella with its ribs raised. "Variegatus" has white-striped green foliage and it grows 24 inches tall. Useful for wet areas, this sedge does well in water gardens and along the border of a pond in zones 9 and 10.

Perennials

• Kenilworth ivy, Cymbalria aequitriloba, is just 4 inches tall, a perennial ground cover for shade generating blue and yellow summer flowers. Native to southern parts of Europe, this perennial is an option for rock gardens due to its stature. Spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum, water fern, Ceratopteris pteridioides, and the cast-iron plant, Aspidistra elatior, are options for shade in these zones. The aroid palm, Zamioculcas zamiifolia, called the ZZ plant, is an evergreen perennial growing to 3 feet high in both zones. The leaves feature six, seven or eight pairs of shiny leaflets on a central stalk.