How to Landscape Shrubs for Shade

Selecting shrubs suitable for shady areas is much like imagining a walk through the woods. There is a broad palette of shrubs that work well in settings under trees or near the edge of woods. In many cases, these shrubs will be competing for moisture with trees, so they often are drought-tolerant. Many native shade-tolerant shrubs are also resistant to common woodland mammals such as deer. Shady shrub gardens can provide multiple seasons of interest, including flowering, foliage and bark.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Shovel
• Camera
• Pruner
• Shrubs
• Plant starter fertilizer
• Mulch

Instructions

Assess the Area to be Planted

1. Take measurements of the shady area in which you wish to plant shrubs. Measure the length and depth of the planting area. This will help determine how many shrubs to purchase.

2. Using a shovel, take a sample of soil from three random areas that you wish to plant. Note whether the soil is dry and sandy, clay or dark loam. If you wish, you can mix the three samples together in a bucket and put about 2 cups in a bag and have it tested for nutrients at your local extension office or garden center. The test will tell you what kind of soil you have, its nutrient status and relative acidity or pH.

3. Take photographs of the area you wish to plant from inside your home and from locations from which you are likely to view the planting. These photos will be useful when visiting your local garden center to determine what shrubs might look best in your landscape.

Research and Select Shrubs

1. Read about shrubs that might work in your area, using resources from a nearby garden center/nursery or the local library. In the United States, plants are rated by zones that correspond with geographic areas that have differing average low temperatures. Look for shrubs that require shade and are in the zone for your area.

2. Visit nearby garden centers or nurseries and determine which shade-tolerant shrubs are available. Take along your photos of the area to be planted to help the garden center staff make recommendations for your site.

3. Design the layout of the shade-tolerant shrubs you wish to use. Using odd-numbered groupings will produce a more natural look for your design. Consider putting taller shrubs toward the back of your design and mixing foliage textures, colors and bloom time to create interest in your planting through the season. Light-colored blooms and foliage are especially useful in lighting up the shade and creating contrasts.

4. Decide which shrubs to buy. Make sure to keep the mature spread of plants in mind to avoid over-planting the shady site. Shrubs will typically be found in 2-, 3- or 5-gallon sizes; prices usually increase with the size and maturity of the shrub.

Plant and Care for Shrubs

1. Place the shrubs in the shady area to be planted in the approximate positions they will occupy. Dig the hole for each shrub two to three times wider than the pot the plant came in and no deeper than the depth of the soil in the pot.

2. Remove the shrub from the pot by gently pushing the side of the pot together to slightly loosen the soil. Frequently the root system will be fibrous and possibly circling in the shape of the pot. Use a pruner to score around the sides of the root ball about 1 inch deep and loosen the roots so that they can begin moving out into the soil surrounding the plant.

3. Place the shrub in the hole and fill it with about half the soil previously removed. Then add the appropriate amount of starter fertilizer, following recommendations found on the container. Water the soil until the water no longer drains away. Then place the rest of the soil in the hole and fill to the level of the top of the root ball. Water that soil again.

4. Mulch each shrub, being careful not to pile wood or compost mulch against the stems of the shrubs. Plants should be watered every two to three days for about 10 days, and then less frequently. Plants should receive about 1 inch of moisture per week for the first growing season, either by rainfall or additional watering. In colder climates, make sure that plants have adequate moisture before the soil freezes.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider using shrubs that offer multiple seasons of interest. For instance, some shrubs offer spring flowering, summer fruit, fall foliage color and interesting bark for winter months.

• Whenever planting in your landscape, make sure to call appropriate utilities to ensure that where you are digging is free from utility lines.