If your patio or garden does not get much sun, shade shrubs They can be the best solution to enjoy a space full of vegetation without having to worry about their well-being.
Let's look at some varieties that grow well in shade and semi-shade conditions, that develop quickly and, in addition, are not very demanding in terms of care.
Hydrangea, the shade shrub par excellence
Although it is often confused with a plant, the truth is that the hydrangea is a shrub. The most common and popular species is the Hydrangea macrophylla, which stands out for its large globe-shaped inflorescences.
In gardening, hydrangeas are often planted in groups to form hedges, because their rapid growth allows them to cover fairly large areas.
This shrub prefers to be in semi-shade and does not tolerate direct sunlight well. What it does need is a moist soil, rich in organic matter and slightly acidic.
As a peculiarity, the colour of its flowers can vary depending on the pH of the soil. If the soil is acidic, the flowers are blue. On the other hand, in alkaline soils the flowers are pink.
Aucuba japonica
Also know as speckled laurel or gold leafThis shrub is a very good choice for shady gardens that do not receive much sunlight during the day.
What stands out most about this plant are its evergreen leaves, which have an intense green colour sprinkled with yellow or gold flecks. This gives it a somewhat different appearance than usual and manages to brighten up those spaces in the garden that are a bit dark.
One of its strong points is that it is very resistant and not too demanding in terms of care.
It needs regular watering, especially in summer, and grows best in fertile, well-drained soil. As for pruning, it is best to leave it for late winter and take advantage of that time to shape it and remove dry or damaged branches.
Thanks to the density of its leaves, it can be used for form hedges in the garden, and can also be a nice addition to flower beds or flowerbeds with other shade plants such as ferns.
Camelia
Although camellia grows slower than the shade shrubs mentioned above, we couldn't help but include it on this list because of its extraordinary beauty, especially during the flowering season.
Camellia japonica is an evergreen shrub native to Asia that is known for its flowers, which appear both in winter and spring. In addition, since it does not lose its leaves, always adds a touch of color to the garden.
This shrub adapts well to shady or semi-shady locations, although it can also tolerate a little sun in the early morning hours.
As far as basic care is concerned, she prefers acid soils, rich in organic matter and well drained. As for irrigation, it is best to apply regular watering to avoid flooding.
After flowering, you can prune the bush to stimulate the appearance of new shoots that will flower in the following season.
Fatsia japonica
Fatsia japonica or Japanese aralia It is one of the best choices for gardens that do not receive direct sunlight. It is an exotic-looking plant that stands out for its lush foliage.
It is very hardy and easy to care for, which is why it is often recommended for inexperienced gardeners. In addition, it can be easily grown both in pots and in the ground, and is perfect for creating hedges.
Basic care includes regular watering, especially in summer, fertile, well-drained soil and regular pruning in late winter to shape and remove dry or damaged branches.
If you can place it in a place in the garden where it receives a little light in the morning, its leaves will be even prettier, because their green will be more striking.
Hebe
Hebe is an evergreen plant that adapts well to corners of the garden that do not receive much sunlight. In addition to being pretty, it is versatile, resistant and has a Quite showy and prolonged flowering during the spring and summer months.
There are many varieties of Hebe, but in this case the compact ones are recommended, with which large bushes can be obtained.
This is a plant that needs regular watering and adapts well to well-drained soils rich in organic matter.
Pruning to maintain its shape can be done after flowering, thus stimulating the appearance of new shoots.
Tips for caring for your shade shrubs
Any of these five varieties will give you good results and, although each of them has specific care needs, there are a series of basic care that you should keep in mind:
Location
Choose a shady location for these shrubs, but make sure they receive some indirect light. No plant grows well in complete darkness.
Also, make sure they are sheltered from strong winds, especially during winter.
Irrigation
You must water these plants regularly enough so that the substrate does not dry completely, but without causing puddles.
If possible, water with water at room temperature so that the roots do not notice a sudden change in temperature.
Land
The ideal soil for these shrubs is one that is rich in organic matter and has good drainage capacity.
As far as pH is concerned, there can be significant differences here. While some plants prefer neutral soil, others such as hydrangeas and camellias grow better in acidic soil.
Fertilization
In spring give these shrubs a little organic fertilizer to stimulate growth and flowering.
Pruning
You have to carry it out after floweringThis way you can maintain the shape of the bush while stimulating the appearance of new shoots.
Shade shrubs are a good choice for low-light gardens and, although they are not very demanding in terms of care, giving them what they need will allow you to see them grow stronger and healthier.