The previous issue of the Horticulture and Home Pest News contained a list of perennials that perform well in partial to heavy shade. A number of trees and shrubs can also be successfully grown in partial shade.
Trees and Shrubs Adapted to Partial Shade
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Height | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five-Leaf Aralia | Acanthopanax sieboldianus | 3-6 feet | Has prickly stems, makes good barrier plant. |
| Serviceberry | Amelanchier spp. | 10-25 feet White flowers in spring, good fall color. | |
| Mentor Barberry | Berberis x mentorensis | 3-6 feet | Thorny stems, excellent hedge plant. Hardiness zone 5. |
| American Hornbeam | Carpinus caroliniana | 20-25 feet | Large, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree. |
| Eastern Redbud | Cercis canadensis | 20-25 feet | Small tree that produces flowers in spring. Hardiness zone 5. |
| Pagoda Dogwood | Cornus alternifolia | 15-25 feet | Small, native tree with branching habit. Yellow-white flowers. |
| Gray Dogwood | Cornus racemosa | 8-10 feet | Suckering shrub. |
| Common Witchhazel | Hamamelis virginiana | 12-15 feet | Small, yellow flowers and foliage in fall. |
| Smooth Hydrangea | Hydrangea arborescens | 3-5 feet Large flower clusters in summer. | |
| Japanese Kerria | Kerria japonica | 3-6 feet | Upright arching shrub, yellow June. Hardiness zone 5. |
| Russian Cypress | Microbiota decussata | 12 inches | Low, spreading evergreen. Foliage resembles arborvitae. |
| Ironwood | Ostrya virginiana | 25-40 feet | Small, slow-growing tree. Can be difficult to establish. |
| Rhododendron | Rhododendron spp. | Variable | Good choices for Iowa include 'PMJ','Aglo,' and 'Olga Mezitt.' |
| Black Jetbead | Rhodotypos scandens | 4-6 feet | Not showy, but a tough, durable shrub. Hardiness zone 5. |
| Alpine Currant | Ribes alpinum | 3-6 feet | Good hedge plant, tolerates pruning well. |
| Snowberry | Symphoricarpos spp. | 3-6 feet | Plants produce white, pink, or purple fruit. |
| Canadian Hemlock | Tsuga canadensis | 40-50 feet | Attractive, graceful tree. Prefers moist, well-drained soils. Dislikes hot, dry sites. |
| Yew | Taxus spp. | Variable | Most shade tolerant evergreen. Adapts well to pruning. |
| Arrowwood Viburnum | Viburnum dentatum | 6-8 feet | Hardy, adaptable shrub. Produces white flowers in spring and blue fruit in fall. |
| Blackhaw Viburnum | Viburnum prunifolium | 12-15 feet | Large, multi-stemmed shrub or small, rounded tree. |
Unless noted, all of the above trees and shrubs are hardythroughout Iowa.
This article originally appeared in the June 24, 1994 issue, p. 100.
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