How to Pick Shade-Loving Shrubs

Choose a shaded area for planting your shrubs and observe it throughout the day. Different plants thrive in all day shade verses a partial day shadow. Try a hydrangea or a pink tatarian honeysuckle for partially shaded areas. Both plants offer vibrant colors and minimal upkeep.

Decide on colors. Some plants boast beautiful blooms while others are richly colored greeneries, both may be ideal for your spot. The Witch hazel shrub is rather large, but also fragrent and produces pretty yellow flowers in the spring or for another color choice, the Juneberry shrub produces small, white flowers each spring and then reddish-purple berries later in the year.

Think about maintenance. Many shade-loving shrubs require nothing more than a moderate level of pruning once you plant them. For example, you should only prune an Aucuba to remove any dead or diseased branches, or to train it to the shape you desire for your garden, but otherwise leave it alone.

Consider a few of these popular shade loving shrubs: hydrangea, privet and rhododendron. All are low maintenance shrubs that do well in a partially dark environment. Also try a boxwood or a holly jim dandy for those deeply shaded areas of your garden, both plants require minimal to moderate pruning and care.

Visit your local nursery and see what's in stock. Choose the healthiest plants available, as they make the best addition to any yard. The healthiest plants are colorful and absent of brown leaves and dead areas.

Plan your garden to include no maintenance and low maintenance plants for an effortless look and relaxing atmosphere.