Evergreens That Will Grow in the Shade

While all plants replace their foliage, evergreens do it gradually, not all at once in one season. You may notice pine needles on the ground, but your tree never looks bare. Evergreens also keep their leaves green all year. In general, broad-leafed evergreens tolerate shade or partial shade better than those with small leaves, as long as the climate is right for them.

The boxwood wintergreen grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 4 through 9 and need well-drained soil. Mature plants reach no more than 4 feet in height and make low garden hedges with leaves that keep their shine year round, according to the University of Illinois Extension Service (UIES). Another appeal of the boxwood wintergreen is its low-maintenance requirements. The shrub grows in a round mushroom shape naturally, requiring no pruning to retain its appearance. And as long as the soil is always moist but not saturated, it will stay a happy plant.

The Canada hemlock is an exception among conifers (trees that produce seeds in a cone) as one of the few that tolerate shady conditions. It also likes soil that's moist but drains well and is rich in organic matter. The Canada hemlock requires a lot of space to grow and has a pyramid shape. The trees get to be 70 feet tall and 35 feet wide. To maintain it at a lower height with a shapely form, you have to prune it regularly. It grows in zones 3 to 8. According to UIES, this tree is not tolerant of drought and should be protected from high winds.

The Japanese yew is a slow-growing perennial tree that's widely sold at nurseries, both in containers and with bare roots. But if you know someone who has one, ask for a branch and start your own Japanese yew from a cutting. The tree blooms in mid-spring and produces a yellow flower. It also reaches 50 feet in height and its roots grow 16 feet deep. So, before you plant this tree, consider your available space.

Pennsylvania's state flower, the mountain laurel is a flowering evergreen. The 4- to 10-foot shrub often grows wild on rocky hilltops. Its pink-and-white flowers bloom from late May through June, but the shiny leaves stay on all year. To thrive, mountain laurel needs cool, moist soil conditions in a well-drained area.

The rhododendron is a flowering evergreen shrub that has a shallow, compact root system. This makes it easy to transplant from one place to another if necessary. But you're unlikely to face this situation if you grow your rhododendron in well-drained acidic soil. The plant thrives better in areas of high humidity, like the Pacific Northwest.