Horticulturists Recommend These Colourful Shrubs For Shaded Areas
Reviewed By COLIN SKELLY
Colin is a Horticulturist and Horticultural Consultant with experience in a range of practical and managerial roles across heritage, commercial and public horticulture. He holds the Royal Horticultural Society’s Master of Horticulture award and has a particular interest in horticultural ecology and naturalistic planting for habitat and climate resilience.
Flowering shrubs can bring a splash of much-needed colour to a dark and shaded area of your garden.
Shady gardens are an increasingly common phenomenon around the UK, especially in towns and cities.
If that sounds familiar, don’t fret.
There are many varieties of flowering shrubs that positively thrive in full or partial shade, adding a dollop of lush foliage and a dazzle of bright blooms to a part of your garden which might otherwise suffer from a lacklustre aesthetic.
Indeed, the options available to you are so plentiful that you’re simply spoiled for choice, but the following list (in alphabetical order) of our favourite flowering shrubs for shade can give you some inspiration when it comes to planning out a shady display.
1) Azalea
- COMMON NAME(S): AZALEA
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE
- FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘ENCORE’, ‘CHERRY DROP’, ‘KIRIM’
Azaleas belong to the Rhododendron family, but generally speaking, the former are a smaller beast than their more expansive counterparts, with finer foliage and slower-growing habits.
Azaleas are demanding when it comes to the acidity of the soil, but otherwise they’ll bloom impressively in partial shade.
There are two types of azaleas, evergreen and deciduous, both of which are extremely hardy and easy to maintain once established.
Simply mulch them each spring in order to give their roots an extra helping hand and marvel at the floral extravaganza they put on for you every year.
Some double-blooming varieties, the aptly named Azalea ‘Encore’ is a notable case in point, will even repeat the trick once again in autumn.
2) Buddleja
- COMMON NAME(S): BUTTERFLY BUSH
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE
- FLOWERING PERIOD: SUMMER / AUTUMN
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘BLACK KNIGHT’, ‘SANTANA’
This hardy shrub grows just about anywhere in the UK, from abandoned wastelands to immaculate country gardens.
Although it prefers full sunlight, it’ll do just fine in partial shade and its abundant blooms (which last all season long) add cones of colour to the darker parts of your garden.
It’s often colloquially known as a butterfly bush and you can expect to see plenty of these captivating creatures fluttering around it during the warmer months.1Young, M., Bullock, A., & Brookes, A. (2016). Butterflies & Moths: Three members of Butterfly Conservation give their views on the best Buddleja for butterflies. The Buddleja National Collection. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.buddlejacollection.com/butterflies-moths/
It’s great for other pollinators too, making it ideal for boosting biodiversity in your garden.
3) Camellia
- COMMON NAME(S): CAMELLIA
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL / PART SHADE
- FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘EXIMIA’, ‘DEBBIE’, ‘LUCINDA’
With glossy evergreen foliage and big, beautiful flowers that bloom in the late winter and early spring, camellias can be the forerunner you need to inject some vibrancy into your home after the colder months.
They do best in partially shaded locations that are protected from strong gusts of wind.
Although C. japonica is by far the most common variety of camellia in the UK, other strains such as C. x williamsii can be hardier and produce longer-lasting floral displays.
Having said that, most camellia varieties are durable enough to look after themselves once established.
4) Chaenomeles
- COMMON NAME(S): JAPANESE QUINCE
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE
- FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘WHITICE’, ‘SARGENTII’, ‘NIVALIS’
Otherwise known as Japanese quince, Chaenomeles japonica is an incredibly undemanding shrub to grow.
Stick it in the shade, plonk it in substandard soil, train it to climb a fence or wall – the intrepid Chaenomeles is always up to the task.
When early spring rolls around, Chaenomeles is a real sight to behold.
Its wiry branches become studded with brilliant pockets of bright orange flowers, making it look like the whole bush is aflame.
As the year rolls on, the flowers will eventually mature into greenish-yellow quinces, which can then be harvested and converted into an exquisite jelly.
What’s not to like?
5) Cornus
- COMMON NAME(S): DOGWOOD
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE
- FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING / SUMMER
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘MAS’, ‘CHINA GIRL’, ‘ANNY’S WINTER ORANGE’
There are a wide variety of different Cornus shrubs; some are grown for the bright red brilliance of their winter stems alone, but there are plenty of flowering species to choose from, too.
All of the above will do well in partial or even full shade but prefer fertile, well-drained soil that is rich in nutrients, and regular mulching can help with this.
C. mas is a particularly popular variety of Cornus, delivering fragile yellow petals on its dense undergrowth.
The floral blooms generally appear in late winter, while red fruits (Cornellian cherries) spring forth in late summer.
6) Daphne
- COMMON NAME(S): DAPHNE
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE
- FLOWERING PERIOD: WINTER / SPRING
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘EXIMIA’, ‘NAKAFU’
In total, there are around 70 different types of Daphne, several of which are grown in the UK.
With a variety of sizes, flowering calendars and floral blooms to choose from, you have plenty of options when it comes to tailoring the shrub to your garden’s requirements.
Whichever strain you opt for, Daphnes inevitably perform best in partial shade and neutral, well-drained soil that maintains moisture without becoming waterlogged.
They also don’t take kindly to being relocated, so choose your spot wisely.
Once you do, however, you’ll be blessed with gorgeous blooms that are pleasing on both the eyes and the nostrils.
7) Hydrangea
- COMMON NAME(S): HYDRANGEA
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE
- FLOWERING PERIOD: SUMMER
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘ANOMALA’, ‘PANICULATA’
There is an abundance of hydrangea species available in the UK, many of which have only been introduced in recent years.
Some of those modern strains can offer longer floral blooms, a second flowering spell later in the year or even flowers which change colour as they mature.
Whichever species you plump for, you’ll find them incredibly easy to grow, thriving in either full sun, full shade or anything in between, and climbing varieties can easily be trained to scale a wall or fence.
“There are a variety of Hydrangeas to consider,” explains Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly.
“The most common garden Hydrangea, H. macrophylla, will thrive in full shade and its flowers will light up a shady area from late summer to early winter.”
Just be sure to plant them in moist soil, leave the seedheads on the plant over winter to protect the buds below, then prune them come spring and you can’t go wrong.
8) Magnolia
- COMMON NAME(S): MAGNOLIA
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE
- FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘RUTH’, ‘HOT LIPS’, ‘MILKY WAY’
Although magnolias will perform best in full sun, they’ll still thrive in partial shade as long as they’re protected from the ravages of the wind.
It’s for this reason that they’re often grown alongside walls and fences, in order to provide a shield against the elements and support for their drooping stalks.
While they might take a little more coaxing into blossom than some of the other options on this list, they’re well worth the effort.
In fact, their delicate and waxy flowers might be among the most eye-catching of all flowering shrubs, so taking the time to ensure magnolias have the conditions they need to come to maturity pays off dividends in the spring and summer.
Expect the flowers in early summer, but verdant foliage the whole year round.
9) Pieris
- COMMON NAME(S): PIERIS
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL SUN / PART SHADE
- FLOWERING PERIOD: WINTER / SPRING
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘FOREST FLAME’, ‘BLUSH’, ‘PRELUDE’
Pieris is one of the more ostentatious shade-tolerant shrubs out there.
Its foliage will shoot forth new growth of a vivid red in spring, mellowing to subtler tones of pink in the summer, before settling into its customary green later in the year.
It can handle semi-shade well and tolerates most soil types, but it flourishes best in acidic terrain.
As for its blooms, the foliage of Pieris is complemented beautifully by masses of slender bell-shaped flowers in spring, normally white in colour.
10) Rhododendron
- COMMON NAME(S): RHODODENDRON
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: PART SHADE
- FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘BLUE PETER’, ‘CYNTHIA’, ‘MARKEETA’S PRIZE’
Rhododendrons are most commonly found in the wild among woodland areas, which means they enjoy the dappled shade that tree canopies provide.
Replicating those conditions as closely as you can in your own garden will lead to the best results, although any partially shady spot will serve them well.
Avoid full sun or full shade.
Rhododendron is a genus encompassing many plants, including the aforementioned azaleas, meaning you should be able to find a variety which suits your desired colour palette.2The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2023d, February 20). Rhododendron. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://www.britannica.com/plant/rhododendron
Whichever one you opt for, you’re guaranteed a head-turning display of blossoms in the late spring and large, leafy foliage all year round.
11) Sarcococca
- COMMON NAME(S): SWEET BOX / CHRISTMAS BOX
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: FULL / PART SHADE
- FLOWERING PERIOD: WINTER
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘PURPLE STEM’, ‘DRAGON GATE’
This compact, bushy shrub produces leathery green leaves, tiny white flowerheads and chunky blackberries.
They thrive in full or partial shade and cope well in all well-drained but still moist types of soil, delivering their fragrant blossoms each winter and their fruit in summer.
Sarcococca confusa (otherwise known as ‘Christmas box’ or ‘sweet box’) is an ideal pick for a sheltered corner of the garden, but plenty of other cultivars will do equally as well.
S. ruscifolia is an even more space-efficient option if your garden dimensions are on the smaller side, while S. hookeriana has a lovely scent to its flowers.
12) Skimmia
- COMMON NAME(S): JAPANESE SKIMMIA
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: PART SHADE
- FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘RUBELLA’, ‘FRAGRANS’
Boxy shrubs native to China, Japan and the lower reaches of the Himalayan mountain range, skimmia generally grow to around 1m in height with the same spread, making them an ideal choice for cosier garden environments.3Skimmia japonica (Japanese Skimmia). (n.d.). North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Retrieved March 15, 2023, from https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/skimmia-japonica/
Plant them at regular intervals and you can even create a bespoke hedge, fit for purpose.
They’re most commonly grown for their impressive foliage, though pollinated females will produce red berries and both genders feature attractive clusters of white flowers, budding in late autumn and blossoming in spring.
They thrive best in acidic soil, but will fare well in almost all soil types and require little in the way of maintenance throughout the year.
13) Viburnum
- COMMON NAME(S): VIBURNUM
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: ANY
- FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘DAVIDII’, ‘EVE PRICE’, ‘ESKIMO’
The viburnum family are a very diverse bunch.
Choose between deciduous and evergreen varieties, those which flower in spring or summer and those which blossom in the colder months, and berry-bearing strains and sun- or shade-loving species.
For providing variety and year-round floral extravagance, a mixture of viburnum never disappoints.
For a British native, check out V. opulus, which thrives in all types of sun exposure and isn’t fussy about the soil it inhabits.
Meanwhile, those searching for a cultivar that delivers evergreen colour and picturesque florets of miniature flowers should try V. davidii.
This latter variety has a whole host of different subspecies, several of which handle partial shade without a problem.
14) Weigela
- COMMON NAME(S): WEIGELA
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- PREFERRED SUNLIGHT: ANY
- FLOWERING PERIOD: SPRING / SUMMER
- RECOMMENDED VARIETIES: ‘VARIEGATA’, ‘RED PRINCE’, ‘ROSEA’
Hardy, compact and easy to grow, it’s easy to see why weigelas are a popular option for borders, flower beds or standalone containers.
The exquisite pinks, reds and whites of their blossoms make them a sight to behold wherever they’re planted and with a number of strains to choose from, you can mix and match to create a multi-coloured floral collage in your garden.
Their diminutive dimensions mean they’ll fit snugly into any spot you select for them, while their capacity to do well in partial shade is ideal for anyone who doesn’t enjoy the luxury of an expansive south-facing garden.
Some varieties are more tolerant of shade than others, however, so be sure to check the label carefully – W. florida ‘Variegata’ and ‘Foliis Purpureis’ are two cultivars that generally do well in less sunny spots.
