Low-Growing Shrubs for a Shade Area

Boxwood

• Littleleaf or Japanese boxwood (B. Microphylla) is a low-growing variety that reaches a height of 4 feet. Its leaves are bright green and are one-quarter to 1 inch long. Other low-growing boxwoods include Buxus 'Green Mound' and Buxus 'Green Gem'.

Holly Fern

• The glossy, dark green fronds of the Japanese holly fern (Cyrtomium falcatum) reach 18 to 24 inches. They thrive in shady borders or rock gardens and are also popular as houseplants.

Dwarf Azalea

• The dwarf azalea (Rhododendron atlanticum) is a low-growing deciduous shrub. Its fragrant pink or white flowers appear before or with its leaves. The dwarf azalea is an excellent choice to fill spaces between other specimen plantings or in low borders.

Dwarf Wintercreeper

• Small leaf, or dwarf wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei 'Minimus'), is a low shrub with dark green leaves that grows 12 to 18 inches high. It is used mainly as an evergreen groundcover in full shade. It needs protection against the winter sun and wind.

Compact Inkberry

• Compact inkberry (Ilex glabra 'Compacta') is a low, rounded evergreen shrub with oval, glossy green leaves. It grows to a height of 3 to 4 feet but is easily pruned to maintain its size. White spring flowers turn into green fruits that ripen to black through the winter. It is most often used as a foundation plant, in a border or in woodland gardens.