I am looking for ideas for shrubs that will thrive in full shade (under maple trees), will flower at some point and have interest for as many seasons as possible in zone 5a. And oh yes, be easy to grow and maintain. In other words, I want it all. :) Thanks for any suggestions!
Need Ideas for Full-shade Flowering Shrubs
The flowering part is doable. The multiple seasons is tough. Other then the usual rhodies and azalea, kerria and clethra bloom in pretty deep shade. Itea as well, though its fall color won't be so good in shade.
angele
May 26, 2008
a few more for consideration: Ilex verticillata - Winterberry- 4 seasons of interest. Plantfiles says part-shade but I have seen it also listed for shade.
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/73589/
or Gaylussacia baccata - Black Huckleberry http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1721/
lastly Viburnum lantanoides - Hobblebush http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2478/
I haven't grown any of these myself but enjoy looking plants up. :-)
My experience with viburnum and deep shade is not good, but I did not try that one. I can attest for winterberry in part shade, but not full. Hydrangea arborescens blooms in relatively deep shade. You can always cut some lower branches to let more light in.
My woods and wood line is loaded with an alternate leafed dogwood (cornus alternifolia) which is more of a small tree, but considered a shrub. It is now in bloom with clusters of fragrant, white flowers which produce bright blue berries in the fall. Summer foliage is green, and the fall foliage is nothing special, but those blue colored berries are so pretty, especially when there is additional color to off-set it. It's in dappled to heavier shade, but needs some moist area to thrive. I took some pics today, but need to download. - Lynn
I've had luck with of all things a Forsythia in shade! Early Forsythia http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/54332/ My SIL gave me cuttings and a couple of bareroots and they have thrived. Multiplies easily, aggressive enough to compete for water under a maple. Two years now and I have started cuttings successfully under shade conditions.
Another one is Strawberry Bush, though inconspicuous for most of the year it is a thin stemmed, woody bush which in October becomes laden with scarlet red berries and seed casings. At which point it commands attention and interest. It does need sufficient moisture during the first year to become established after which it becomes moderately drought tolerant but still prefers moist soil. ☺
Strawberry bush seeds/ casings.
Nice, WC! I like that too. Any idea how tall it grows?
Thanks, they reach ~ 6ft but they are slow growers in gardens and easily managable. Near woodland streams with dappled light they would grow considerably faster. I have 2 of them @ 2ft - 2 1/2ft and they are favorites of mine! ☺
This message was edited May 26, 2008 8:57 PM
I will need to do some research about these, but I fear the deer will find them just toooo tasty!
Here is a picture of the cornus alternifolia taken this afternoon:
It smells delightful!
Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I look forward to checking them out at my local garden centers.