In every garden there are more or less shady places, which of course should not remain bare. However, it is often difficult to find suitable plants here - but not impossible. We will introduce you to some shade-tolerant tree species.
What trees can you plant in the shade?
Shade-tolerant trees such as cherry laurel, privet, witch hazel, yew, bird cherry, Lawson's false cypress, boxwood, barberries, mountain ash, cornelian cherry, Californian honeysuckle, serviceberry and globe trumpet tree are suitable for shady locations in the garden.
Not every shadow is dark
But before you choose a tree from the list below and plant it on the dark north side of your house, you should first take a closer look at the intended location. Not every shade is the same and not every shade-tolerant plant feels comfortable in every lack of light. So choose the tree species according to the actual brightness of the location:
- full sun: more than six hours of full sun per day
- partial shade: four to six hours of full sun per day
- light shade: under light bushes and trees, no direct sun
- deep shade: no direct sun (examples: under conifers or trees with a dense canopy)
- off-sunny: bright, but without direct sun (examples: north-facing courtyard, north side with bright, light-reflecting house wall)
If you are planning to plant under a tall tree or something similar with a shade-tolerant tree, also consider the possible root pressure: it is not the lack of sun that could be problematic here, but rather the mutual competition for water and nutrients.
Most forest trees are shade tolerant
If your garden is rather dark but very large: think about planting forest trees. As forest trees, most beech, maple, oak, etc. are very shade tolerant, at least when they are young, as they grow in the undergrowth for many years. Only when they are really big trees do they reach towards the sun. Many conifers (especially yews!) also do very well in shady locations as long as the composition of the soil is right.
Shade-tolerant trees for the garden
Here we have put together some tree and shrub species for you that can also be planted in partial shade or shade. In principle, for most species, a sunnier place is preferable. When planting in the shade, make sure that the soil is not wet and heavy - even otherwise undemanding trees cannot tolerate that.
- Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus, Syn.: Laurocerasus officinalis): partial shade to shady, protected
- Privet (Ligustrum): sunny to light shade
- Magic hazel (witch hazel): sunny to sunny
- Yew (Taxus baccata): sunny to shady
- Black cherry (Prunus padus): sunny to light shade, loves moist soil
- Lawson's false cypress (Chamaecypraris lawsoniana): sunny to shady
- Boxwood (Buxus): sunny to shady
- Barberries (Berberis): sunny to shady, depending on the type and variety
- Rowberry / Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia): sunny to partially shaded
- Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas): sunny to partially shaded
- California honeysuckle (Lonicera ledebourii): sunny to partially shaded
- Rock pear (Amelanchier): sunny to partially shaded
- Ball trumpet tree (Catalpa bignonioides 'Nana'): sunny to partially shaded
Tip
Especially when planting trees with a shallow root system, make sure to maintain the necessary safety distance from house walls, sewage and water pipes.
