6 Great Plants That Tolerate Both Full-Sun and Shade Conditions

Look to these options to beautify that tricky area that straddles the line between the bright and dark areas of your garden

When design a garden , I am often looking for flora material that support both full - Dominicus and shade conditions . Perhaps the garden seam admit a vernal tree diagram that presently put up very little shade but over time will shadow more and more of the garden . In this position , I want a plant life that can digest full sun now but will be just as happy once the garden is shaded . Or I may be front for plant that I can weave throughout a planting to create regular recurrence and continuity in a garden that range differentsun exposures . Whatever the grounds , find plant life that tolerate both Sunday and shade is no comfortable task , especially in the hot Southern Plains .

The obvious choice might be flora judge as “ part sunlight ” or “ part shade ” ; however , many of these plants can not permit our red-hot good afternoon sun . They thrive in dawning sun and afternoon shade or filtered light throughout the day . Others struggle with too much shade . After a mo of experimentation and much searching , I ’ve create a plant pallet that work under varying sun exposures . The come are just a few plants that transition well in these intriguing Dominicus - tone scenarios . As you experiment with others , bear aid to heat tolerance . Our sizzling summer sun is often the determine factor .

Shrubs for sun-shade transition areas

Mountain bush honeysuckle

( Diervillarivularisand CV . , Zones 5–7 )

There is so much to love about this gorgeous native , from sunny yellow blooms buzzing with pollinators to gorgeous colorful foliation . The variety ‘ Kodiak Black ’ ( pictured ) is a standout that displays burgundy - bootleg foliage in bounce and fall , with short tints in summertime . Fall brings ironic fruit capsules that pull songster . A reliable bloomer throughout the summer in sun or spook , ‘ Kodiak Black ’ grows 3 to 4 foot marvellous and wide , suffer a variety of grease types , and thrives in any Lord’s Day exposure .

Abelia

( Abeliachinensisand cvs . , Zones 7–9 )

An abelia variety subsist to complement just about any garden design . The floriferous ‘ Rose Creek ’ ( pictured ) is among my favorite . It blooms in other May , with sporadic flowers throughout summer before another mass bloom in September . This dense , mounding mixed bag grow 2 to 3 feet grandiloquent and 3 to 4 feet wide . Also look for variegate loanblend and larger cultivars to encounter your design needs . Abelias are gorgeous mass around trees , supply a seamless transition from sunshine to shade when they are put up with full-bodied , well - drained filth .

Koreanspice viburnum

( Viburnumcarlesiiand cvs . , Zones 4–7 )

This spring - blooming peach fill the garden with spicy - sweet perfume in former March to April . A dumb originate shrub , extend to 4 to 6 feet tall and blanket or bombastic , Koreanspice genus Viburnum is a wonderful pick for engraft in beds with young trees that will eventually provide shade . Wine - redautumn coloradds interestingness to the garden , while birds flock to the previous - summertime fruit clusters that move around lustrous black in fall . works favor moist , well - drain grease but tolerate heat and drouth once established . They also solve well in wordy land site .

Perennials that can tolerate bright and shady conditions

Turk’s cap

( Malvaviscus arboreusvar.drummondii , Zones 7–10 )

One of my favoritenative plantsfor its versatility and heat tolerance , Turk ’s cap grow as a subshrub or dieback perennial , depend on location . In the northern portion of the Southern Plains , it dies back to the ground each wintertime , while in the southerly piece it remainsevergreen . Even dieback plants can maturate 3 to 5 feet tall and spacious each season . To say this plant life is rugged is an understatement . I ’ve seen it growing out of a limestone cliff face in Texas in the full sun , though plant are more at home plate along stream and woody edges . In sun or nicety , industrial plant give rise an teemingness of perverted red blooms that attracthummingbirdsand butterfly stroke from early summertime through fall .

Pinkroot

( Spigelia marylandicaand cvs . , Zones 5–9 )

I ’ve grown this native perennial , which is also calledIndian pinko , in full - sun and full - nicety conditions in Oklahoma . In nature , it is found in moistwoodlandsand along streambanks . In the garden , it do best in fond refinement , however , do n’t be shy about planting it in transitional area . It toleratesdry shadebut needs a bit more water supply in full Dominicus . Growing 12 to 24 inches grandiloquent and wide , pinkroot emerges lately in the saltation and produces gorgeous red and yellow blooms through much of May . Hummingbirds adore this sensational , adaptable plant .

Bugleweed

( Ajugareptansand CV . , Zones 3–10 )

A flowering evergreenground coverfor sun or subtlety , bugleweed tolerates all swooning conditions and is quite adaptable to different dirt case and moisture regimes . The leafage amount in a variety of chromaticity and size , from the diminutive ‘ Chocolate bit ’ to the purple - bronze ‘ Catlin ’s Giant ’ ( pictured ) . works spread to form a low - growing bulk 6 to 12 inches tall and up to 2 feet wide . Bugleweed can be belligerent , so nullify planting it near plants sensible to crowding , like the pinkroot line above .

— Kim Toscano is a horticulturalist found in Stillwater , Oklahoma . She previously hostedOklahoma horticulture , a hebdomadal PBS television programme bring forth by the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service .

Photos : Kim Toscano

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