Evergreen Shrubs for Shade

What's the difference between full shade and partial shade?

We've probably all seen the tags on plants.  Full sun, part sun, part shade and full shade.  But what do they actually mean?  Then there's also dappled sunlight. I don't recall seeing that terminology used much at retail garden centers but I heard it early & often working with online nurseries the past 9+ years.

The descriptions seem self-explanatory; right?   C'mon, who doesn't know what full sun or full shade means.  But, to get official confirmation we contacted our counties state agricultural extension office and spoke with a very patient gentleman.  I was surprised with what he said.  And to be honest, I did do a little online research to confirm what I was told.

Yew Shrub Foliage
Yew Shrub Foliage

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Full Shade Description

Full shade is described as getting less then 3 hours of direct sunlight.  And you also need to consider what kind of sun it is.  There's usually a difference between 3 hours of morning sun versus afternoon sun.  If it's a foundation plant, which direction is it facing?  Southern facing gets the most sun. If you live on a hill or have one to your east or west will affect the amount of sunshine available.

What is Part Shade?

If the spot you want to plant your evergreen shrub gets less than 6 hours of sun, it is considered part shade. 

And then there's 'dappled sun'. 

Dappled sun means it doesn't get a lot, if any direct sun.  It gets indirect sunlight.  Planting underneath established shade trees is a good example.  We asked 4 experts & got 2 different answers.  Dappled could fall under either full or partial shade.  

Rhododendron Varieties For Sale Online

Might be the best known shade tolerant evergreen shrub. All are listed as tolerant of partial or full shade.

Name Grow Zones Height / Width
Fragrant Star 5 to 9 H: 3-4' W: 3-4'
Golden Lights (azalea) 3 to 7 H: 3-5'  W: 3-5'
Helikki Red 4 to 8 H: 4-6' W: 4-5'
Holden's Solar Flair 5 to 9 H: 4-6' W: 4-6'
Korean 4 to 8 H: 2-3'  W: 3-4'
Lavender 5 to 8 H: 4-5' W: 4-5'
Lemon Ice 4 to 7 H: 3-4'  W: 4-5'
Nova Zembia 4 to 8 H: 5-8'  W: 5-6'

 

Nandina Shrubs for sale online

Commonly called Heavenly Bamboo. Most prefer more sun but they do okay in partial or dappled sun.

rhododendron-close-up2
Name Grow Zones Height / Width
Lemon Lime 6 to 10 H: 2-3'  W: 2-3'
Compact 6 to 11 H: 4-5'  W: 3-4'
Firepower 6 to 9 H: 1-2'  W: 1-2'
Gulf Stream 6 to 10 H: 2-4'  W: 2-4'
Blush Pink 6 to 10 H: 2-3'  W: 2-3'
Moon Bay 6 to 10 H: 2-3'  W: 2-3'

Mahonia for sale online

Unique evergreen has bright, fragrant yellow flowers & blue berries. Also called Oregon Grape Holly.

Name Grow Zones Height / Width
Winter Sun 7 to 9 H: 2-3'  W: 2-3'
Soft caress 7 to 9 H: 2-3'  W: 2-3'
Aquifolium 5 to 9 H: 4-6'  W: 2-3'

Camellias for sale online

Blooms late fall through early spring. Traditionally camellias bloom better in part shade without afternoon sun.

Name Grow Zones Height / Width
Ack-Scent 6 to 9 H: 6-8'  W: 4-6'
April Kiss 6 to 9 H: 8-10'  W: 6-8'
Fall Fantasy 7 to 10 H: 7-8'
Kanjiro 7 to 10 H: 8-10'  W: 6-8'
Kanjiro 7 to 10 H: 8-10'  W: 6-8'
Kramers Supreme 6 to 9 H: 8-10'  W: 6-8'
Pink Perfection 7 to 10 H: 8-10'  W: 6-8'
Professor Sargent 7 to 9 H: 8-10'  W: 6-8'
Sadaharu Oh 7 to 9 H: 10-12' W: 4-5'
Setsugekka  6 to 10 H: 8-10'  W: 6-8'
Sh-ishi Gashira 7 to 9 H: 5-6'  W: 5-6'
White By The Gate 7 to 9 H: 10-12'  W: 6-8'
White By The Gate 7 to 9 H: 10-12'  W: 6-8'
Winters Joy 6 to 10 H: 5-6'  W: 4-5'
Yuletide 7 to 9 H: 6-8'  W: 6-10'

Aucuba japonica for sale online

Commonly called spotted laurel. Tolerates heavy shade & clay soils

Name Grow Zones Height / Width
Picturata 6 to 9 H: 4-5'  W: 4-6'
Mr. Goldstrike 6 to 9 H: 4-5'  W: 4-6'
Gold Dust 6 to 9 H: 4-5'  W: 4-6'

 

Pieris for sale online

Also known as andromedas. Winter interest. Unique, weeping lily-of-the-nile-like early spring flowers.

Name Grow Zones Height / Width
Mountain Snow 4 to 8 H: 4-5' W: 4-5'
Cavatine  5 to 8 H: 1-2'  W: 1-2'
Valley Valentine 5 to 8 H: 5-8'  W: 5-8'
Mountain Fire 6 to 9 H: 4-5'  W: 4-5'
Katsura 5 to 8 H: 5-6' W: 3-4'
Valley Rose 5 to 8 H: 3-5' W:3-5'
Flaming Silver 5 to 8 H: 4'  W: 4'

Yew for sale online

Nice alternative to boxwoods as foundation plants.  Be careful, seeds inside berries are toxic including humans and dogs.

Name Grow Zones Height / Width
Densiformis 4 to 7 H: 4' W: 4-6'
Hicks 4 to 8 H: 8-12'  W: 2-3'
Taunton 4 to 7 H: 3-4' W: 4-6'

 

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