Shade shrub

17 years ago

I am looking to plant some new shrubs in front of my house for a hedge effect against the house. I would like something that doesn't get any higher than five feet and is a good spreading shrub since it will form a border or hedge. I would like a native to Virginia if possible. I have typical hard red clay here and it doesn't get a lot of sunlight since its the north side of a two story house. The house is the only thing blocking sunlight, no trees. So far, I have been thinking about the following shrubs,

wintergreen

oakleaf hydrangea

mapleleaf viburnum (or some other type of viburnum, arrowwood, possum haw, blackhaw)

chokecherry

yew (I know not native, but thinking about it)

Please let me know your thoughts on these shrubs, and any other recommendations you have.

I plan on planting in front of them some native perennials that do well in shade as well, suggestions here would be helpful as well. Thanks.

Andrew

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

Dave in NoVA • N. Virginia • zone 7A
17 years ago
Not necessarily native, but:

Acuba japonica
Illicium floridanum
Rhododendron
Hardy camellia
Azalea
Ternstroemia japonica (cleyera) if hardy

But these would be better planted BEHIND perrenials.

6/7 is a broad range. what is your average low temp?
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
17 years ago
Congrats on planning to plant natives!!! You can buy native azaleas (if you want sources, I can give you a couple). Also, one of my favorites for shade is kalmia latifolia (mountain laurel). It is native, evergreen, and flowers. Like the idea of the oakleaf hydrangea also. Viburnums can be nice where you will be able to catch their scent when flowering, but I feel they don't offer much the rest of the year (just a personal preference-no need to pay attention!). Don't know wintergreen other than as a very low groundcover (Gaultheria procumbens). Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) is, as far as I know, a tree that can get much larger than five feet.

Have fun choosing! Will look forward to pics in the spring.
Related Professionals
Indianapolis Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Gulfport Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Kalispell Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Taunton Landscape Contractors · Worthington Landscape Contractors · Scranton Landscape Contractors · Calgary Landscape Contractors · Ottawa Landscape Contractors · Athens Home Builders · Joplin Home Builders · Poplar Bluff Home Builders · Raleigh Home Builders · Anderson Home Builders · Juneau Home Builders · Bismarck Home Builders