Shade-Loving Trees
Shade-loving trees are those which prefer growing in shaded areas of the landscape. This often means under the canopies of large trees or on the edge of woodland areas. Shade can also be found in the landscape on the east side of a tall home, building or other structure.
Most shade-loving trees will require at least some light to thrive. In dense shade, or if there is little to no light, flowering trees such as Dogwoods may grow more spindly and not produce as many blooms.
The time of day that a shade-loving tree is exposed to sunlight is important. Most shade-loving trees prefer a break from the sun during the afternoon hours; when the sun and heat are most intense. Morning sun or all day filtered light is usually okay and, in fact, beneficial to the plant.
Shade-loving trees are usually smaller growing trees. If you have enough ceiling room in woodland areas of your landscape, planting smaller understory trees such as dogwoods, red buds, and anise help to fill in the space between the canopies of taller trees and the ground. Florida anise (Illicium floridanum) is a small, evergreen, shade-loving tree (to 15') that can be useful to form a screen or buffer, or as a specimen or backdrop in a perennial shade garden.
Though maybe not listed below, there are many shade-loving shrubs, such as camellias, that grow large enough (to 15' or more) to be limbed up to form a small tree. So be sure not to count these larger growing shrubs out when designing trees into your shade garden.
Below is a listing of trees that prefer growing in shady areas of the landscape. Click on any thumbnail image or link to see detailed description, usage tips and instructions for care.
(7) Plants Found. Showing 1 to 6 of 7.