Trees and Shrubs for Shady Northern Landscape
I have many large trees in my yard. I would like to add some ornamental trees or shrubs to brighten this shady portion of my northern Midwest landscape. Any suggestions?
Try some shade tolerant small native trees. Serviceberry (Amelanchier) has white flowers in the spring, fruit the birds love, nice fall color and beautiful bark for winter interest. The pagoda dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) has a nice horizontal growth habit, creamy flowers, fruit that attracts birds and a maroon fall color. Musclewood (Carpinus caroliniana) has a smooth gray muscle like trunk and orange fall color. Ironwood (Ostrya virginiana) has elm like leaves, interesting bark and yellow fall color. Eastern wahoo, common witchhazel and black chokeberry are shade tolerant native shrubs. The Eastern wahoo (Euonymus atropurpurea) has tiny purplish flowers, interesting fruit and orange to purple fall color. The common witchhazel (Hamamelis virginiana) puts on quite a show in fall with its yellow flowers and fall color. Black chokeberry's (Aronia melanocarpa) glossy green leaves, white spring flowers, black fruit and brilliant fall color give it year-round appeal.
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