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Design

Shrubs Under Shade Tree

Add color to your landscape by installing this design underneath the shade of an existing tree.

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close up of blue hydrangea planted under a shade tree.

Planting Specifications

  • Hardiness Zone: 6–8
  • Sun Exposure: Part shade, below the canopy of an existing shade tree
  • Space needed: Below the canopy of an existing shade tree
  • Required topography: Flat to rolling

Layout

The shade tree planting is installed below the canopy of an existing shade tree. Some adjustment may be required based on the locations of large roots but the design will not be impacted by minor changes in location.

Recommended Use & Design Principal 

The three flowering shrub species have been selected to thrive in the shade conditions below the canopy of large existing shade trees such as maples or oaks. This plant combination is an excellent solution for below large existing shade trees where maintaining a lawn is difficult.

Additionally, the plant combination offers seasonal interest by the way of yellow Forsythia blooms, white Azalea blooms and blue Hydrangea blooms.

Peak Time(s)

Spring

  • Forsythia: yellow bloom
  • White Mollis Hybrid Azalea: white bloom

 

Summer

  • Blue Hydrangea: blue bloom