Grown strictly for its foliage, Fatsia adds a very tropical look to the shade garden. It will have white puffy flowers in late autumn and winter, but they are not particularly showy, just interesting and unexpected. Fatsia can take deep shade and is very suited to containers.
Aucuba japonica Aucuba is a foliage plant that can be very useful in the shade. The most widely used varieties are variegated. One of the most handsome is ‘Mr. Goldstrike’ grown by Monrovia Growers. This evergreen plant is a slow grower, eventually reaching four to six feet. The green-leafed version is also a very attractive plant with very…
Nandina, or heavenly bamboo, is a versatile shrub that can take sun or shade. In our climate, it appreciates some shade in the afternoon. Growth rate is moderate up to eight feet tall, depending on the variety. ‘Fire Power’ is a nice small plant that only grows to about two feet high and wide and turns…
Pittosporum tobira is an evergreen shrub with either all green or variegated foliage. The species can grow six to fifteen feet, but “Wheeler’s Dwarf’ gets only to three feet and about five feet wide. There are also variegated dwarf forms, ‘Turner’s’ that is the same size as ‘Wheeler’s”, and ‘Cream de Mint’ that grows to about two and…
Ilex is, of course, holly. There are many species, all of which will need shade in the north county. Some species have few spines while other are very pokey indeed. Hollies prefer slightly acidic soil, so some soil amendment is required. There are green leaved and variegated versions.
The handsome, dark green leaves of Camellias provide a great background for the lovely spring flowers as well as for other shade loving plants. Camellia sasanqua is generally shorter with smaller leaves and flowers. It blooms earlier, usually in winter, and many of the flowers have single petals. ‘Yuletide’ is a very eye-catching example with red single flower and…
Sarcococca is an evergreen shrub with dark green leaves and very fragrant tiny white flowers that bloom in late winter and early spring. It is a slow grower that will eventually reach four to six feet. It can grow even in very deep shade and needs moderate to regular water.