Taller shrubs for a mostly shady area

12 years ago

Hi there! I live in Durham, NC and have an area in my back yard (and neighboring yards) with mostly pine trees, so it doesn't get much direct sunlight. I want to plant some taller evergreen shrubs along the fence for privacy, but of course, they need to be able to grow (preferably quickly) in the shade. I'm hoping for suggestions for plantings if possible. I also have come across a few options that I have questions about.

According to lowes.com/plants, Florida Leucothoe (Leucothoe populifolia, aka Agarista populifolia, aka Florida Hobblebush, aka Tall Fetterbush, aka Pipestem) fits the bill: http://www.lowes.com/cd_Lowes%20Plant%20Guide_253427968_?url=plant.aspx?code=l10116 It grows to 10 feet high in the shade and apparently grows pretty fast.

A few sites agree with this information...

http://www.floridata.com/ref/a/agar_pop.cfm
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=AGPO2
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/agarista-populifolia/

...but other sites have conflicting information:

http://97.67.50.31/resources/wildlifehabitats/agaristapopulifolia.html -- slow growth
http://www.onlineplantguide.com/Plant-Details/87/ -- sun/part sun
http://magnoliagardensnursery.com/plants/leucothoe-agarista-populifolia-florida-leucothoe/ -- sun/part shade
Another site that I can't post a link to says it's much smaller in size and grows in sun rather than shade.

Any insight? Any experience with this plant?

I'm also considering Aucuba japonica, but I'm not as enthusiastic about it. Also doesn't seem to grow as tall.

Any other ideas for plants that would fit the bill?

Thanks in advance for your help!

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Comments (6)

shadeyplace
12 years ago
does it have to be evergreen? I think sweet bay Magnolia grows fairly quickly.
User
Original Author
12 years ago
Sorry for the delay in replying. Yes, I'd strongly prefer an evergreen for privacy in the winter. Thanks for your suggestion!

Anyone else want to chime in?
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anniegolden
12 years ago
I live in central Delaware and have an acuba gold dust. It is in complete shade, gets no supplemental water and is competing with tree roots. It is about 9 feet tall. We have acid/clay soil here.

Do hollies grow well in your area? I have a short row of burford hollies also growing in shade and competing with tree roots (spruce tree). This holly is a beautiful shade of dark green. Mine are about 11 or 12 feet tall. I don't know how fast they grow since they were here when I moved in. Very pretty holly, dense and great for privacy.
User
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks, anniegolden--I hadn't considered hollies. I actually have a Burford holly in the sun out front, but IIRC, it's a dwarf variety that was listed as preferring full sun (and while it's growing, it's not growing super fast). Holllies do seem to grow well enough around here, though.
cyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
12 years ago
Nellie Stevens hollies do well in shade. So do camellias and you have the added plus of flowers. Nandina is another good choice, but it does spread. All are evergreen and easy to grow!
Barbara Meli
11 years ago
Maximum rhododendron are among my favorites.