Evergreen Shrubs for Shade

Arborvitaes are one of the most common – and versatile – evergreens we grow. These soft-needled evergreens can be grown in sun or shade and they come in various hues of green and yellow. Pyramidal arborvitaes make outstanding natural screens or hedges, ranging in size from 3′ to 20’+ tall in the landscape, depending on the variety. The rounded and dwarf varieties grow well in containers, small space gardens, and low hedges. If you’re looking for a deer-resistant option, check out Western arborvitae varieties like ‘Green Giant’ or North Pole®.

Sun to Part Shade | 4+ hours of sunlight

One of the most popular evergreen shrubs here in Northeast Ohio, Boxwoods are a fantastic deer and rabbit-resistant option to add year-round interest to the landscape. They make excellent low formal hedges because they maintain their lush green foliage color throughout the winter. Boxwoods are also commonly seen in pyramidal and topiary forms as they are one of the easiest shrubs to prune into various shapes and structures.

Sun to Part Shade | 4+ hours of sunlight

Looking for evergreen foliage AND spring blooms? Look no further than azaleas and Rhododendron – both part of the overarching Rhododendron family. Azaleas stay more compact, typically growing 2′-5′ tall and wide, while Rhododendrons can grow anywhere from 5-10′ tall and wide (and sometimes larger). Both produce abundant clusters of trumpet-shaped flowers in late Spring, making them a great source of pollen and nectar for early-season pollinators. They possess good cold hardiness, dense growth habit, and autumn color.

Part Shade | 4-6 hours of sunlight

Hollies are a fantastic choice for part shade gardens. Their glossy foliage and vibrant red berries provide much-needed color to the winter landscape. Hollies produce spines along their dense, dark green foliage, making them a great deer-resistant option. Female plants will produce berries for the winter as long as a compatible male variety is nearby, which is great for our Ohio winter birds!

Sun to Part Shade | 4+ hours of sunlight

This shade-loving shrub is a very attractive, broad-leaved evergreen with colorful, pleasing foliage. Clusters of dense, slightly fragrant, bell-shaped flowers highlight the glossy foliage in spring. One of our favorite varieties, ‘Girard’s Rainbow’, is known for its variegated foliage that emerges a soft pink and ages to various shades of green. Perfect for attracting pollinators to the shade garden and possess good deer resistance.

Part Shade to Shade | 6 hours or less of sunlight

Andromeda offer multiple seasons of interest in the shade garden. They produce clusters of dainty, gorgeous white blooms in the spring that truly stand out against the dark, evergreen foliage. The other unique thing about this shade-loving shrub is its vibrant colored new foliage. That’s right, depending on variety, the new foliage starts off pink, bronze, or bright red, eventually maturing a deep crimson color before maturing to a forest green through the season, truly making this plant one-of-a-kind!

Part Shade to Shade | 6 hours or less of sunlight

This common, hedging shrub can be found all over commercial and residential landscapes. They produce dense, glossy green foliage and are incredibly low-maintenance. Most yews tolerate heavy pruning, which makes them easy to shape into hedges and low borders.

Sun to Part Shade | 4+ hours of sunlight

Commonly called Canadian Hemlock, this beautiful, conical evergreen is easily identifiable by its down-swept branches and tiny cones. They are slow-growers and tend to grow much shorter in urban landscapes than they do in larger forests. Hemlocks grow best in rich, moist, well-draining soil. This Ohio Native is found all over Northeast Ohio in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, plus various local Metroparks and forests.

Part Shade to Shade | 6 hours or less of sunlight