The trees in East Texas can be breathtaking in the fall, especially when sunshine brings out their brightest colors. But what can we plant in beds under those shade trees that will color our world through all the seasons of the year? A few well-chosen shrubs can do that, and many will feed the birds as well. They require almost no work when they are established.
Planting some of the following shrubs will provide a variety of color, texture, and size in your beds. Although most do well in partial shade, some do not tolerate any sun.
- Aucuba: needs full shade, has large green and yellow variegated leaves. Other varieties are also available.
- Camellia: has glossy dark green foliage. Produces showy flowers late fall through early spring, depending upon the variety. It needs a rich acid soil.
- Dwarf Nandina: is grown for its brilliant red winter color. It is excellent for low mass planting.
- Dwarf Osmanthus: prefers full shade but will tolerate some dappled sun. It adds color and texture with its free-form variegated foliage.
- Japanese Aralia: an unusual tropical-looking shrub with large dark green leaves and thick stems. It is an attention getter in the garden.
- Hollies: four hollies that are compact and provide a variety of texture and color in the shade garden are Dwarf Burford, Carissa, Dwarf Chinese, and Dwarf Yaupon.
- Loropetalum: is known locally as Chinese Fringe flower. The leaves are mostly burgundy throughout, and always on the new growth. It has spider-like pink flowers in the spring and will tolerate any amount of pruning, which encourages new growth and reblooming. The more sunlight it gets, the better the foliage coloration.
- Mahonia: glossy green holly-like leaves. It has yellow flowers in spring followed by bluish black fruit that lasts through winter. Some mahonias turn bronze or nearly yellow in fall.
Mary Wilkerson, Smith County Master Gardener
Texas Cooperative Extension
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