Evergreen Shrub for Mostly full shade Zone 5
ctsnicholas
4 years ago
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Mens Tortuosa(5b Omaha, NE)
4 years agoYardvaark
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Shrubs for mostly shade...
Comments (21)Hinoki cypress, Chamaecyparis obtusa, is a wonderful small tree and with endless cultivars to choose from. Some are very slow growing and will remain very small and most would appreciate at least some degree of direct sun - several hours of morning sun would be ideal. With as many different cultivars as there are on offer, there's an equally wide number of forms and growth habits. Slender Hinoki cypress, C. obtusa 'Gracilis', is a selection that is very common here and used frequently for both screening and specimen planting purposes. It's quite sculptural in stature with a definite Asian character - it doesn't look like a typical "Christmas tree" conifer. You might want to take this specific question about Hinokis to the Conifers forum for more input - I have no idea how well they do in the high summer heat and humidity conditions of NC but they love the PNW. If you are looking for coniferous screening, I'd also suggest Cyrptomeria japonica 'Elegans'. This is a conifer that is quite shade tolerant, has a very soft touch, has a reasonable growth rate yet remains of modest size and is used widely in the South. Neither it or the Hinoki are particularly drought tolerant, however....See MoreLooking for Evergreen Shrubs for Zone 5B
Comments (6)Alexis, I'm happy to hear that you have luck with Skimmia in zone 5b. I thought they were a zone 6 shrub. Very nice shrub. I'll have to try it. I agree with lacey on the Kalmia idea. Mine are in full sun and are very happy. They grow much more compact in full sun. At about 8 years old, they are 3-4 feet high and wide. I especially like the way the darker buds have so much interest for a couple of weeks before the flowers pop giving another couple of weeks interest. Mine also happens to get quite red stems in winter which is interesting. I think red-twig dogwood would be too big for your area. I try to keep mine pruned back a bit at 6 X 6. It does provide some great winter interest when the red stems get covered in ice. You might also want to take a look at Mahonia aquifolium. There is a compact variety that gets 2-3 feet high. Glossy green summer foliage turning bronze in the winter months. Yellow flowers in spring followed by blue berries. It does prefer a bit of shade....See MoreRhododendrons for full shade zone 5
Comments (14)its tricky.. but her name says toronto ... what has grown there previously ... a good indication of light .. defining SHADE is near impossible in words .. as noted.. it can be grotto dark.. or very bright ... when it all boils down.. no one can tell you what will work in a given spot.. in your yard ... you just have to experiment ... until you find what works ... an also as noted.. you might need to be persistent .... if you insist on a specific plant ... which might lead one to not putting all your eggs in one basket.. and trying a number of different type plants ... rather than a monoculture. ... lack of light.. will rarely kill a plant .. other than grotto dark ... but it can affect vigor ... which would translate into either it being leggy or not full .... or in the case of flowering plants.. reduced flowering .. in other words ... it might not end up being like the pix you see.. of well sited plants ... good luck ken ps: btw.. a lot of plants that favor shade .. or are tolerant of shade... it can be more of a water issue ... in other words.. they prefer a respite from direct sun .. in the heat of the day.. if they can not pump enough water regarding such ......See MoreHelp with shade loving evergreen foundation shrubs please! Zone 5
Comments (43)I've had good luck with winter gem boxwoods here in zone 5. Also have had green velvet without a problem with the cold. I think these are both varieties of Korean boxwood. I have lost one or two over the years to what I believe was a fungal disease, but most years they look great. I don't happen to be using them as Foundation plants but you could. I also have had no problem growing densiformis yews in partial shade. Probably a prosaic plant but it works and stays fairly small. Maybe three feet wide and two feet tall. I do use some of these as Foundation plantings. Obviously you would want to combine several different types of plants. Annabelle hydrangeas are also popular here as foundation plants in shady spots....See Morectsnicholas
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
4 years agoMens Tortuosa(5b Omaha, NE)
4 years agocorkball (z9 FL)
4 years agoYardvaark
4 years agokitasei
4 years agoNHBabs z4b-5a NH
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years agoYardvaark
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years agoYardvaark
4 years agolrunner
4 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
4 years ago
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)