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Publication #ENH67

North Florida Landscape Plants for Shaded Sites1

Frank Regulski, Jr. and David Marshall2

Most areas of north Florida have environmental conditions which enable many ornamental plant species to thrive. These plants can normally be used by homeowner in a wide variety of locations or situations with little problem. However, a number of areas will have planting problems if plant selection is not done carefully. One of these problem areas is the shady site.

All plants need light to grow and develop. Light intensity and duration have a marked effect on plant and leaf size, color, shape, foliage density and amount of flowering. Some plants have certain requirements of light intensity and duration while others are tolerant of a wide range of light conditions.

Most plants can be categorized as requiring one of three levels of light — full sun, partial shade and full shade. These levels are based on the number of hours of sunlight the plant needs for proper growth and development. Full sun is normally considered to be sun exposure from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., plants in partial shade would receive direct sun from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and plants in full shade would receive no direct sunlight. Most plants do very nicely in a partial shade situation. However, in full shade many plants develop a spindly, thin shape and will not flower normally. Not only does shade duration have to be considered but also shade intensity. A light shade would be provided by pines or other tall, high-canopied trees. Most plants will thrive under these conditions but if the shade is dense, special care in planting definitely should be exercised. In these situations plants should be selected which have adapted in nature to these shade combinations.

Occasionally, shade is combined with wet site conditions. In this situation a plant must be chosen which can cope with both conditions. Table 1lists shrubs and trees are well adapted for shade or shade and wet sites in the north Florida landscape.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Barrick, W.E. and R.J. Black. "Landscape Trees for Energy Conservation: North Florida Trees." Florida Cooperative Extension Service Circular EES-1.

Barrick, W.E., D.L. Ingram, and J.T. Midcap. "Selected Shrubs for North Florida." Florida Cooperative Extension Service Circular 500.

Black, R.J., D. Burch and D.J. Pivorunas. "Groundcovers for Energy Conservation: North Florida." Florida Cooperative Extension Service Circular E1-51.

Dirr, Michael A. 1977. "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants: Their Identification." Ornamental Characteristics, Culture, Propagation, and Uses.2nd Ed. Stipes Publishing Co. Champaign, Illinois. 536 pp.

Watkins, J. and T. Sheehan. Florida Landscape Plants. University of Florida Press, Gainesville.

Whitcomb, Carl E. 1976. Know It and Grow It. Oil Capital Printing. Tulsa Oklahoma. 500 p.

Wyman, D. 1971. Shrubs and Vines for Americans Gardens. Macmillan Company. New York. 613 pp.

Wyman, D. 1971. Trees for American Gardens. Macmillan Company. New York. 502 pp.

Table 1. North Florida Lnadscape Plants for Shaded Sites

Tables

Table 1. 
Scientific Name Common Name Wet Site Tolerant Size Comments
PARTIAL SHADE
Evergreen Shrubs
Abelia x grandiflora Glossy Abelia Marginal 6-10′ Durable shrub; white flowers; good hedge plant
Berberis julianae Wintergreen Barberry Marginal 5-6′ Attractive plant; has thorns; dwarf available
Buxus spp. Boxwood No 3-12′ Good hedge plant, but pest problems common
Camellia spp. Camellia No 10-12′ Attractive fall- and winter-flowering plant, various colors
Chamaerops humilis European fan palm No 10-12′ Attractive shrub-like palm
Elaegnus pungens Silverthorn Yes 8-12′ Durable screen plant; fragrant flowers
Eriobotrya japonica Loquat No 20-25′ Coarse texture; edible fruit; susceptible to fire blight
Euonymus spp. Euonymus Yes 1-8′ Durable variegated cultivars available
Feijoa sellowiana Pineapple Guava No 8-10′ Durable screen plant; edible fruit
Gardenia jasminoides Gardenia No 5-6′ Glossy green leaves, fragrant flowers
Ilex spp. Hollies No 2-50′ Durable attractive plants; specimen, foundation, or screen plant, depending on species
Nerium oleander Oleander Yes 5-15′ Yellow, red, pink or white summer flowers; all parts poisonous if eaten
Photinia serrulata Chinese Photinia No 15-20′ Effective as hedge or small tree
Prunus caroliniana Cherry-laurel No 20-25′ Can be a pest by birds spreading seed
Raphiolepsis indica Indian-Hawthorn No 5-6′ White or pink spring flowers
Yucca spp. Yucca No 3-15′ Extremely sharp, stiff leaves
Ground Covers
Ajuga reptans Carpet Bugle No 6" Will not tolerate any foot traffic; purplish-green foliage
Euonymus fortunei Creeping Euonymus No 1-2′ Several pest problems
Deciduous Shrubs
Euonymus fortunei Burning Bush Yes 6-8′ Brilliant fall color
Franklinia alatamaha Franklinia Yes 20-30′ Late summer white flowers
Jasminum nudiflorum Winter Jasmine Marginal 3-4′ Arching branches; yellow flowers in early spring
Lonicera fragrantissima Winter Honeysuckle Yes 6-8′ Small, very fragrant spring flowers; good deciduous hedge plant
Lonicera tartarica Tartarian Honeysuckle Yes 8-10′ Pink to white flowers in spring
Deciduous Trees
Betula nigra River Birch Yes 50-60′ Attractive bark; yellow fall color; fast grower
Carpinus caroliniana American Hornbeam No 25-35′ Steel-gray bark
Chionanthus virginicus Fringetree No 20-25′ Spectacular white flowers in spring
Diospyros kaki Oriental Persimmon No 20-30′ Showy, edible fruit; orange-red fall color
Fagus grandiflora American Beech No 60-80′ Attractive bark; slow grower
Halesia diptera Two-winged Silverbell No 20-25′ Delicate white spring flowers
Magnolia acuminata Cucumber Magnolia No 60-80′ Large coarse foliage
Magnolia soulangiana Saucer Magnolia No 20-25′ White to pink to purplish early spring flowers
Nyssa sylvatica Black Gum Yes 60-100′ Orange-red fall color
Ostrya virginiana Eastern Hophornbeam No 20-50′ Rugged small tree
Oxydendrum arboreum Sourwood No 25-30′ Beatiful scarlet fall color
Tilia americana American Linden Yes 40-80′ Fragrant flowers; bright yellow fall color
Ulmus americana Americana Elm Yes 60-100′ Dutch Elm disease not serious problem in Florida
Ulmus parvifolia Lacebark Elm Yes 40-60′ Attractive bark; good shape
Broadleaf Evergreen Trees
Butia capitata Pindo Palm Yes 10-20′ Orange, edible fruit
Quercus laurifolia Laurel Oak Yes 80-100′ Rapid growth; not durable
Quercus virginiana Live Oak Yes 40-80′ Long-lived, attractive form
SHADE
Evergreen Shrubs
Agarista populifolia Florida leucothoe Yes 8-10′ Native. Arching growth habit
Aucuba japonica Aucuba No 4-12′ Attractive coarse-textured leaves; several varieties, including variegated
Bambusa spp. Bamboo Yes 2-30′ Can be pest depending on species
Cephalotaxus harringtonia Japanese Plum-Yew No 5-6′ Slow grower; good for northern exposure
Fatsia japonica Fatsia Yes 5-6′ Large unusual leaves
Evergreen Shrubs (continued)
Kalmia latifolia Mountain Laurel No 4-6′ White to rose flowers, native shrub
Ligustrum spp. Ligustrum Yes 6-12′ Most are durable, fast-growing plants
Mahonia spp. Mahonia No 4-12′ Varying foliage textures; some have showy berries
Myrica cerifera Southern Wax-Mirtle Yes 12-15′ Attractive bark; tendency to develop multiple stems
Nandina domestica Nandina No 5-6′ Lacy foliage; bright red leaves in winter; dwarf cultivars available
Osmanthus spp. Osmanthus Yes 8-15′ Very fragrant fall flowers on `fragrans'
Pittosporum tobira Pittosporum No 8-10′ Variegation, dwarf cultivars available
Prunus laurocerasus`Zabeliana' Dwarf Cherry-Laurel No 5-6′ Spreading growth habit
Rhapidophyllum hystrix Needle Palm Yes 4-8′ Durable palm
Rhododendron spp. Azalea No 2-12′ Many colors of spring to early summer flowers
Taxus floridiana Florida Yew No 8-10′ Rare native with dark green needle foliage
Cleyera japonica Cleyera No 15-20′ Unique reddish foliage in winter
Trachycarpus fortunei Windmill Palm Yes 6-20′ Very showy small palm
Vaccinium arboreum Tree Sparkleberry Yes 20-25′ Fragrant, white spring flowers
Viburnum spp. Viburnum No 6-20′ Good hedge plants
Ground Covers
Aspidistra elatior Cast Iron Plant Yes 1-2′ Durable plant with glossy, dark green leaves
Dichondra carolinensis Dichondra Yes 2″ Small round leaves, considered a weed in lawns
Gelsemium sempervirens Carolina Yellow Jessamine Yes 2″ Bright yellow spring flowers; grows upward, making use as groundcover limited
Hedera canariensis Algerian Ivy Yes 6″ Larger leaves than English Ivy
Hedera helix English Ivy Yes 6″ Rapid-growing ground cover
Hosta spp. Plantain Lily Yes 12-18″ Fragrant showy white, blue, or lilac flowers
Ground Covers
Liriope spp. Liriope Yes 1′ Will tolerate no foot traffic; lilac to white flowers; variegated forms available
Mitchella repens Partridgeberry Yes 1-2″ Requires acidic soil; sensitive to traffic
Ophiopogon japonicus Mondo Grass Yes 1′ Finer texture than liriope, but similar
Selaginella involvens Erect Selaginella Yes 1′ ---
Trachelospermum asiaticum Japanese Star Jasmine Yes 1′ Non-climbing vining groundcover with fine texture
Trachelospermum jasminoides Confederate Jasmine Yes 1′ Very fragrant spring flowers; will climb
Vinca major Big Leaf Periwinkle Yes 1′ Blue flowers; does not climb
Deciduous Shrubs
Callicarpa americana Beautyberry No 5-6′ Purplish fruit in late summer
Calicanthus floridus Sweetshrub No 4-8″ Known more for fragrant flowers than appearance
Hamamelis virginiana Witch-Hazel Yes 12-15′ Yellow flowers in late fall
Hydrangea quercifolia Oakleaf Hydrangea Yes 5-6″ White flowers in early summer; red-orange fall foliage
Ilex decidua Deciduous Holly Yes 15-20′ Orange to scarlet berries in fall and winter
Evergreen Vines
Lonicera japonica Japanese Honeysuckle Yes Very fragrant flowers all summer
Lonicera sempervirens Trumpet Honeysuckle Yes Red or yellow flowers, not fragrant
Deciduous Vines
Clematis spp. Clematis No Beautiful summer flowers. Red, purple, or white.
Parthenocissus quinquefolia Virginia Creeper Yes Bright red fall foliage
Wisteria spp. Chinese Wisteria Yes Var. Blue or white fragrant spring flowers; can become weed if gets out of control
Deciduous Trees
Acer palmatum Japanese Maple No 15-20′ Good purple leaf color; several varieties
Acer rubrum Rep Maple Yes 50-80′ Good spring and excellent fall color (orange and red); fast grower
Aesculus pavia Red Buckeye Yes 15-20′ Showy bark; yellow fall color
Cornus florida Flowering Dogwood No 20-30′ White or pinkish flowers; orange-red fall color
Ostrya virginiana Eastern Hophornbeam No 20-50′ Shaggy bark; durable, slow-growing tree
Broadleaf Evergreen Trees
Magnolia grandiflora Southern Magnolia Yes 60-100′ Coarse leaf texture; white flowers
Magnolia virginiana Sweetbay Yes 50-60′ White flowers, silvery leaf undersides
Needle Evergreen Trees
Cunninghamia lanceolata China Fir No 30-50′ Prickly foliage; few pests
Pinus glabra Spruce Pine Yes 60-80′ Very attractive pine
Podocarpus spp. Podocarpus No 20-25′ Good screen plant; tolerates pruning
Torreya taxifolia Stinking Cedar Yes 20-25′ Native endangered species

Footnotes

1.

This document is ENH67, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Revised May, 1992. Reviewed October, 2003. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Frank Regulski, Jr., former assistant professor, ornamental horticulturist, Agricultural Research and Education Center, Monticello, FL; David Marshall, agricultural extension agent and program leader, Leon County, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Millie Ferrer-Chancy, Interim Dean.