Well, that's annoying that willows can't take shade. A lot of sources say otherwise. Any suggestions for a fast-growing tall shrub that can handle some shade?

The integra was at a grocery store garden centre, so it could be mislabeled, but that chain does generally have reputable suppliers.

The shrub forms of willows are far more tolerant of shady conditions than are tree forms but heavy shade will not be to their liking. They should do fine in partial or half day shade, however.

Thanks!

This area shouldn't be in heavy shade, hopefully. If we ever get any sunny days, I'll have to confirm how much sun they do get.

Most trees and shrubs tolerate some shade or they couldn't live in the wild. But there are certain kinds that resent it much more than others, willows being an example - typically these pop up on completely open, often raw sites where there is, at least initially pretty much no competition for light.

Presumably one of the main reasons for having an ability to grow in water or mud is freedom from shading by taller plants.

The 'Flame' is planted for its colorful young stems. Willows of this type being illuminated by winter sunshine are amazing (hence 'Flame', which is what they look like) - when kept pruned at the end of winter, to consist of entirely new growth except for the stumps they are being cut back to each or every other year. So if you are thinking of putting these where the planting area is in a shadow much of the time - up to say 6' above the ground - then they won't show up so well.

Fair enough. It's just strange that all these nurseries and growers mark the plants as being suitable for partial shade. I'd much rather have accurate information for them, as it would let me pick something that works for my site.

Well again they won't wither if they get shaded but it is not optimal - every kind of plant has tolerance ranges, with conditions at the ends of the spectrum being less desirable than those in the middle. And there is the matter of where they will look the best, apart from where they are able to grow. Also part shade covers more than one kind of situation, with nursery sales yard signs and labels just trying to give adequate snapshots of plants that meet the needs of people reading quickly - and probably in a hurry much of the time. Commercial web sites and print catalogs offering plants often just repeat this sound bite approach, rather than going into a lot of detail. It all takes time and money, for instance one couple I know that was printing a mail order plant catalog with a large offering every year had gotten to the point of having to cough up $50,000 for the fall edition some years ago.

I might try one of them in this location anyway, unfortunately I'm not finding anything else that seems more appropriate. If they don't end up doing well, I'll transplant them to a sunnier spot.

I'm seeing hydrangea gradiflora and rose of sharon suggested elsewhere for partial shade and they have the height I need. I'm not sure how well they'll do, but perhaps I'll talk to my local nursery about all three plants and see what they recommend.

I'd go see what looks good to you when they have their peak spring inventory and then take it from there. Willows will have the advantage of winter stem color, unlike the hydrangea and hibiscus. If you have full sized independent garden centers within acceptable driving distance these will have vastly larger, more seriously assembled and presented selections than chain store plant departments and grocery stores.

Luckily we do have some decent independent garden centres near here. It's a bit to early for them to have all their staff around, but hopefully I'll be able to talk to someone this weekend.