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.
Related
Upcoming Live Events
& Webinars
April 18, 2024
Be a Waterwise Gardener
Golden Rondelle Theater, Racine, WI
Register now
April 20, 2024
Pruning Hydrangeas and Other Shrubs
Pasquesi Home & Gardens, Lake Bluff, IL
April 27, 2024
Ridges & Rivers Book Festival
Viroqua, WI
April 28, 2024
Flowering Trees and Shrubs
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
May 1, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
Ornamental Fruits and Vegetables
Register now
May 4, 2024
Garden U 2024
New Richmond, WI
Register now
May 9, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
How to Plant Your Rain Garden
Register now
May 11, 2024
Ask The Plant Doctor Q & A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
May 12, 2024
Ask The Plant Doctor Q & A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
May 18, 2024
Ask The Plant Doctor Q & A
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
June 1, 2024
Selecting, Planting, Pruning and Caring for Hydrangeas
Ebert's Greenhouse Village, Ixonia, WI
June 5, 2024
FREE WEBINAR
Under-Appreciated Pollinators
Register now
WATCH ON-DEMAND WEBINARS
Learn More