Top 10 Shade-Loving Evergreen Shrubs for Arlington Gardens
- Handsome Lawn Service
- Mar 22
- 5 min read
When landscaping in Arlington, Texas, finding attractive, low-maintenance plants that thrive in shady spots can be challenging. At Handsome Lawn Service, we understand the unique climate challenges of North Texas and have compiled this list of our favorite shade-tolerant evergreen shrubs that will beautify your garden year-round.
1. Japanese Aucuba (Aucuba japonica)
Height: 6-10 feet Width: 4-6 feet USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-10
This stunning evergreen shrub, also known as Gold Dust Plant, is a standout performer in shade gardens. Its glossy, leathery leaves often feature eye-catching gold speckles, bringing brightness to shadowy corners.
Benefits:
Extremely shade tolerant, thriving in locations where other plants struggle
Low maintenance with excellent resistance to pests and diseases
Air-purifying qualities that help improve surrounding air quality
Versatile as a foundation plant, hedge, or specimen planting
Female plants produce striking red berries in fall when a male pollinator is nearby
Care Tips: Plant in well-draining soil with regular water until established. Apply a light layer of mulch to retain moisture. Protect from harsh afternoon sun and winter winds.
2. Mahonia (Mahonia aquifolium)
Height: 3-6 feet Width: 3-5 feet USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
Oregon Grape Holly (Mahonia) brings architectural interest to shade gardens with its spiny, holly-like foliage and bright yellow flowers in late winter, followed by blue-purple berries.
Benefits:
Provides winter interest with fragrant yellow blooms when little else is flowering
Produces edible berries used in jellies and preserves (though tart when raw)
Attracts pollinators and birds to your garden
Deer and rabbit resistant
Native to western North America, making it well-adapted to regional conditions
Bronze-purple winter foliage adds seasonal color
Care Tips: Plant in part shade to full shade locations in well-draining soil. Though moderately drought-tolerant once established, regular watering during extended dry periods will keep it looking its best.
3. Japanese Yew (Taxus cuspidata)
Height: 10-25 feet (depends on variety; many dwarf varieties available) Width: 5-12 feet USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-7
This classic evergreen offers rich, deep green foliage and red berries, creating elegant structure in shaded landscapes.
Benefits:
Extremely versatile and can be shaped through pruning
One of the most shade-tolerant evergreens available
Long-lived specimens can thrive for decades
Available in many varieties including upright, spreading, and dwarf forms
Provides excellent year-round privacy screening
Care Tips: Plant in well-draining soil with consistent moisture. Avoid waterlogged locations. Note that all parts of the plant except the fleshy part of the berries are toxic, so place accordingly.
4. Dwarf Burford Holly (Ilex cornuta 'Dwarf Burford')
Height: 8-10 feet Width: 6-8 feet USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
This compact holly variety features glossy, dark green leaves with a single spine at the tip and produces abundant bright red berries.
Benefits:
More heat-tolerant than many other hollies
Self-pollinating, so a single plant will produce berries
Creates excellent natural privacy screens or barriers
Dense foliage provides shelter for birds
Bright red berries persist through winter, adding color to the winter landscape
Care Tips: Plant in part sun to shade in well-draining soil. Water regularly during establishment. Can handle pruning if needed to maintain size.
5. Camellia (Camellia japonica and Camellia sasanqua)
Height: 7-12 feet Width: 5-10 feet USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
These aristocrats of the shade garden offer glossy, deep green foliage and stunning blooms in shades of white, pink, and red.
Benefits:
Spectacular flowers during fall, winter, or early spring (depending on variety)
Excellent as specimen plants or in groupings
Provides structure and interest year-round
Long-lived plants that increase in beauty with age
Available in hundreds of varieties with different bloom times and colors
Care Tips: Plant in filtered shade with acidic, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. Apply mulch to maintain consistent soil moisture and temperature.
6. Cherry Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
Height: 10-18 feet (shorter cultivars available) Width: 5-10 feet USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-8
This adaptable shrub features lustrous dark green leaves and produces fragrant white flower spikes in spring.
Benefits:
Fast-growing privacy screen or background planting
Thrives in part shade to shade conditions
Tolerates urban pollution and challenging soil conditions
Fragrant spring flowers attract pollinators
Makes an excellent foundation planting or hedge
Care Tips: Plant in well-draining soil. Though drought-tolerant once established, regular watering produces lusher growth. Can be pruned to maintain desired size.
7. Japanese Fatsia (Fatsia japonica)
Height: 6-10 feet Width: 6-10 feet USDA Hardiness Zone: 7-9
This bold tropical-looking evergreen makes a striking architectural statement with its large, glossy, deeply lobed leaves.
Benefits:
Brings tropical flair to shady spots
Produces unusual white flower clusters in late fall
Extremely shade tolerant
Excellent container specimen for shaded patios
Creates dramatic textural contrast with finer-leaved plants
Care Tips: Plant in humus-rich, well-draining soil. Provide consistent moisture for optimal growth. Protect from harsh afternoon sun and drying winds.
8. Chinese Snowball Viburnum (Viburnum macrocephalum)
Height: 12-20 feet Width: 10-15 feet USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9
While technically semi-evergreen in Arlington, this viburnum retains most of its leaves in mild winters and offers spectacular spring blooms.
Benefits:
Produces enormous (8-inch) round flower clusters in spring
Can be maintained as a large shrub or small tree
Provides multi-season interest
Makes an excellent specimen plant or screening hedge
Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators
Care Tips: Plant in part shade in well-draining soil. Water regularly until established. Apply mulch to maintain soil moisture.
9. Boxwood (Buxus species)
Height: 2-12 feet (depends on variety) Width: 2-8 feet USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9
These classic garden shrubs offer dense, fine-textured foliage that can be left natural or clipped into formal shapes.
Benefits:
Extremely versatile in the landscape
Many cultivars available in different sizes and growth habits
Can be formally pruned or left more natural
Perfect for creating garden structure
Excellent for hedges, borders, or topiaries
Care Tips: Plant in part shade to shade in well-draining soil. Avoid wet locations. Apply mulch to keep roots cool. Water deeply but infrequently once established.
10. Nandina (Nandina domestica)
Height: 3-8 feet (dwarf varieties available) Width: 2-4 feet USDA Hardiness Zone: 6-9
Also called Heavenly Bamboo, this versatile shrub offers lacy, bamboo-like foliage that changes color with the seasons.
Benefits:
Provides year-round interest with changing foliage colors
Produces white flower clusters followed by bright red berries
Requires minimal maintenance once established
Adaptable to various light conditions from part sun to shade
Dwarf varieties work well in smaller spaces or containers
Care Tips: Plant in part shade in well-draining soil. Tolerant of most soil types. Prune occasionally to maintain shape and remove older canes.
Selecting the Right Shrub for Your Landscape
When choosing from these shade-loving evergreens, consider:
Size at maturity: Ensure the plant has room to grow without crowding
Specific light conditions: Most "shade plants" prefer dappled or morning sun rather than deep shade
Soil conditions: Most prefer well-draining soil with consistent moisture
Purpose: Are you looking for a specimen plant, hedge, foundation planting, or wildlife attraction?
At Handsome Lawn Service, we're here to help you select the perfect plants for your Arlington property and can provide professional installation and ongoing maintenance to keep your landscape looking its best.
Want personalized recommendations for your specific landscape challenges? Contact us today for a consultation!
This blog post was created by Handsome Lawn Service, serving Arlington, Texas and surrounding communities with expert landscaping services since 2016.
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