Shrubs for Screening in Part Shade
Do you have any suggestions for a screening shrub that will tolerate medium shade in zone 5?
We usually think of long lines of tall hedges when looking for a screen or barrier. Often a small but well placed group of plants will do the trick. I like to use a mixture of evergreen and deciduous plants to provide year round interest. Holmstrup and Techny arborvitae are evergreen that tolerate medium shade. Consider deciduous shrubs such as arrowwood viburnum (Viburnum dentatum) zones 2 or 3 to 8, American cranberrybush viburnum (Viburnum trilobum) zones 2 to 7, cornelian cherry dogwood (Cornus mas) in zones 4 to 7 or 8, and glossy chokeberry (Aronia) for zones 3 or 4 to 8 or 9. They not only provide screening but will add additional interest to the landscape. For narrow areas consider a vine covered trellis.
Related
Upcoming
Events & Webinars
August 6-16, 2026
Wisconsin State Fair
We Energies Energy Park, West Allis, WI
More information
August 29, 2026
Composting 102
Milwaukee Public Library - East Branch
Register here
Sept. 3, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Tree Planting and Care
Register here
Sept. 11, 2026
Illinois State Master Gardener Conference
Rockford, IL
Register here
Sept. 12, 2026
2026 Knowledge in Bloom Conference
Urban Ecology Center, Milw., WI
Register here
Sept. 17, 2026
FREE WEBINAR:
Fall Landscape Care and Planting
Register here
Sept. 26, 2026
Pruning Hydrangeas & Other Shrubs
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL
Oct. 6, 2026
Upper Midwest Invasive Species Conference
La Crosse, WI
Register here
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
MORE UPCOMING EVENT DETAILS


