Evergreen Shade Plants for Zone 9 Gardens
Evergreen plants are a great choice for adding year-round color and interest to your landscape. They retain their leaves throughout the year, even in the winter months. Choosing evergreen plants for your garden is relatively easy, but finding suitable shade plants for zone 9’s warm climate can be a bit more challenging.
Types of Shade
The amount of sunlight that a plant receives each day will determine which type of shade it is best suited for. There are three main types of shade:
- Light shade: Plants in light shade receive two to three hours of morning sunlight or filtered sunlight, such as under an open canopy tree.
- Moderate shade: Plants in moderate shade receive four to five hours of morning or dappled sunlight per day.
- Deep shade: Plants in deep shade receive less than two hours of sunlight per day.
Evergreen Shade Plants for Light Shade
There are a number of evergreen plants that are well-suited for light shade in zone 9. Some popular choices include:
- Laurel (Kalmia spp.) – A shrub with glossy, evergreen leaves and showy flowers in the spring.
- Bugleweed (Ajuga reptans) – A groundcover with creeping stems and attractive foliage.
- Heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) – A shrub with graceful, arching canes and clusters of bright red berries in the fall.
- Scarlet firethorn (Pyracantha coccinea) – A shrub with thorny branches and clusters of bright orange or red berries in the fall.
Evergreen Shade Plants for Moderate Shade
There are also a number of evergreen plants that can tolerate moderate shade in zone 9. Some good choices include:
- Rhododendron and azalea (Rhododendron spp.) – Blooming shrubs with showy flowers in the spring. (Check the plant tag, as some varieties are deciduous.)
- Periwinkle (Vinca minor) – A blooming groundcover with glossy, evergreen leaves and purple flowers in the spring.
- Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) – A blooming plant with clusters of white or pink flowers in the spring.
- Japanese sedge (Carex spp.) – An ornamental grass with graceful, arching blades.
Evergreen Shade Plants for Deep Shade
Selecting evergreen plants for deep shade can be more challenging, but there are still a number of options available. Some good choices include:
- Leucothoe (Leucothe spp.) – A shrub with glossy, evergreen leaves and white flowers in the spring.
- English ivy (Hedera helix) – A groundcover with evergreen leaves and climbing stems. (Note: English ivy can be invasive in some areas.)
- Lilyturf (Liriope muscari) – A groundcover/ornamental grass with evergreen leaves and spikes of purple flowers in the summer.
- Mondo grass (Ophiopogon japonicus) – A groundcover/ornamental grass with evergreen leaves and spikes of white or purple flowers in the summer.
- Aucuba (Aucuba japonica) – A shrub with large, evergreen leaves and clusters of red berries in the winter.
Tips for Choosing Evergreen Shade Plants
When choosing evergreen shade plants for your zone 9 garden, it is important to consider the following factors:
- The amount of sunlight the plant will receive. Make sure to choose plants that are suited for the amount of shade in your garden.
- The size and shape of the plant. Consider the size and shape of the plant when choosing a location in your garden.
- The plant’s hardiness. Make sure to choose plants that are hardy in zone 9.
- The plant’s water needs. Choose plants that are drought-tolerant or that can tolerate moist soil.
With a little planning, you can choose the perfect evergreen shade plants to add beauty and interest to your zone 9 garden all year long.
