• Shade in gardens is often a challenge to gardeners since a large majority of plants need sun to grow well. This challenge can easily be overcome by choosing those plants which thrive in shade. There is just as large a variety of shade-loving plants, including shrubs, as there are of the sun-loving variety. Shrubs for shade are ideal as foundation plantings and for use under the canopy of larger trees. Smaller sized shade-loving shrubs also do well as potted plants for use on covered porches and patios.
  
  

Fragrant Abelia

• Fragrant abelia (Abelia mosanensis) is a semi-evergreen shrub well suited for shaded areas. The shrub has a moderate growth rate and prefers a moist, acidic, well-drained soil. Fragrant abelia has a medium texture and grows to a mature height of 5 to 6 feet. The shrub has glossy, bright green foliage which takes on orange shades in the fall. Glossy abelia blooms with fragrant, tubular, white-centered pink flowers during the summer. The shrub has arching stems which lend it a graceful mature form.
  
  

Carolina Allspice

• Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus) is a slow growing, deciduous shrub also referred to as sweet shrub, sweet Betsy and spicebush. The shrub grows well in areas of sun or shade, growing to a mature height of 6 to 9 feet with a 6 to 12 feet spread. Carolina allspice thrives in a wide range of soil types but prefers a moist, deep loam. The shrub has a medium texture and develops a bushy, round mature form. The 2-inch dark, reddish brown to maroon flowers bloom in May and the simple, dark green foliage is 2 to 5 inches long. Carolina allspice is drought tolerant and is generally a low maintenance shrub.
  
  

Hiryu Azalea

• Hiryu azalea (Rhododendron obtusum) is an evergreen shrub with a moderate growth rate. The shrub is well suited for areas of shade and achieves a mature height of 2 to 5 feet with an equal spread. Hiryu azalea blooms with flowers in a range of colors including red-violet, red, crimson, pink, white and scarlet. The foliage is 1 ½ to 4 inches long and glossy green. Hiryu azalea is medium textured and tends to develop a twiggy mature form.