Border Shrubs

Light Shade

• A number of shrubs will do well in light shade. This type of shade is sometimes referred to as filtered sunlight and is created when natural sunlight must pass through a large tree, building or other object to reach the ground below. The area often appears speckled with patches of shade and patches of sun and it is possible to grow some shrubs that prefer part sun or shade in these areas. Sweet shrub (Calycanthus), viburnum (Vibunrum), dogwood (Cornus) and daphne (Daphne) are ideal choices.

Intermittent Shade

• Intermittent shade occurs when an area receives full sunlight for part of the day and shade for the rest of the day. Shrubs that require part sun or part shade will thrive in these areas. Depending on the amount of light the area receives and the time of day it receives the light, planting full sun shrubs in these areas may be an option. Good choices for border shrubs in areas with intermittent shade include witch hazel (Hamamelis), privet (Ligustrum), rose of Sharon (Althea) and spirea (Spirea).

Dense Shade

• Woodland areas are often the hardest to find border shrubs for because of the dense shade they receive. Yew (Taxus), holly (Ilex) and spicebush (Lindera) are some of the more common options, however, do not forget about the native shrubs that grow in the woodland areas where you live. While it is against the law to dig these shrubs up and move them onto your property, you can go to your local native plant nursery to purchase them.

Full Sun

• A number of shrubs thrive in full sun, which is an area that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. Forsythia (Forsythia), lilac (Syringa), honeysuckle bush (Lonicera), crepe myrtle (Lagerstoemia) and boxwood (Buxus) are wonderful border shrubs for full sun, however, they will need frequent trimming to keep them in shape. These shrubs come in many sizes and heights, including dwarf varieties that are ideal for the front of the border.