Having shade can be a wonderful benefit in your outdoor spaces. It helps lower the temperature during the heat of the summer, protects hardscapes and site elements from harmful UV rays, lowers the heat island effect of your neighborhood, and can provide a great place to relax. However, too much of a good thing can be bad. If landscapes have a lot of shade, choices for plants can be limited to those plants which have adapted to little sunlight. Fortunately, if you plan appropriately, there are solutions available! Professional landscape architects and contractors can recommend shade-loving plants that still achieve your goals. To help you avoid wasting time and money, we’ve listed our best plants for shade in Jacksonville and North Florida.
As you read more about these plants, send us a message if you have any questions.
And when you are ready to do some planting, we will design and install the right plant in the right place for you!
Our Top 3 Shrubs in Shade
The Top 3 Shrubs in our “Best Plants for Shade in Jacksonville” list are Azaleas, Coontie, and Oakleaf Hydrangea. They are easy to grow, provide attractive and unique foliage and flowers, adapt to various conditions, and are readily available at local nurseries.
However, all plants have unique characteristics that must be considered when deciding which one to select. Ensuring the right plant, right place rule is followed will lead to a healthy, happy plant. It’s best to confirm that your unique growing conditions will support these plants before installing them. For example, azaleas and hydrangeas prefer acidic soil for peak performance, so confirming your soil pH is a good idea.
1. Azaleas, Rhododendron spp.
Springtime is announced when the azaleas start blooming in North and Central Florida. It’s a spectacular show while it lasts. Azaleas are a popular choice for yards with filtered sunshine and shade. Since they tend to have an open-growth habit, they are often seen planted in informal settings, in open spaces, or under large canopy trees and pines. However, before using them in your yard, be aware that they prefer acidic soils and cannot tolerate salt spray or salt water.
They come in a wide variety of cultivars with different sizes, flower colors, and leaf colors. With so many options, azaleas can be used as foundation plantings, mass plantings for color, or as a backdrop in planter beds.
If you would like to learn more details about Azaleas in Florida, The University of Florida has more information about Azaleas in Florida on the IFAS website.
2. Coontie, Zamia floridana
Coontie is a Florida native that occurs naturally on shell mounds and well-drained soils. Coontie is an ancient plant and the only native cycad to Florida.
With stiff, dark green, feather-like leaves, it has a tropical vibe and may look fern-like. The unique leaf and growth habit make this a specimen-type plant that is sure to bring attention.
Coontie grows in clumps that reach 3 feet tall by 3 feet wide. Space them anywhere between 3 and 5 feet on center to create a mass planting effect. Once established, they rarely need watering.
If you want to learn more about Coonties, The University of Florida has more information about Coontie plants on the IFAS website.
3. Oakleaf Hydrangea, Hydrangea quercifolia
As one of our largest recommended shade-loving plants, Oakleaf Hydrangeas make a great specimen planting or grouping along a tree line. Growing to heights of 6 to 8 feet and spreading out to 4 feet wide, be sure to provide adequate space for growth.
Native to Florida, the Oakleaf Hydrangea is a wonderful option for interesting leaf shape and fall leaf color. They also have large, attractive pink flowers in the spring and summer. The leaves are large, reaching up to 12 inches long, and shaped like oak leaves. Being a deciduous plant, it loses it’s leaves in the winter.
If you would like to learn more details about Oakleaf Hydrangeas, The University of Florida has more information about Oakleaf Hydrangea plants on the IFAS website.
Top 3 Focal Points and Accents for Shade
The Top 3 Accents in our “Best Plants for Shade in Jacksonville” are Shell Ginger, Selloum Philodendron, and Cast Iron Plant. They are easy to grow, adapt to various conditions, and are readily available at local nurseries.
1. Shell Ginger, Alpinia zerumbet
Where to begin when describing shell ginger? Often described as “delightful,” shell ginger is a prized accent plant in North Florida. With large tropical leaves, this 4-8 foot tall perennial really stands out. The 18-24 inch long, fragrant, leaves have green and yellow stripes. The shell-shaped flower is also fragrant. A real winner!
If you would like to learn more details, the University of Florida has more information about Shell Ginger plants on the IFAS website.
2. Selloum Philodendron, Philodendron selloum
Huge leaves and a tropical feel, Selloum Philodendron is an impactful focal point. Reaching a height of 10 feet with an equal spread of 10 feet, Selloums provide a dramatic effect.
Selloum Philodendron leaves are dark green, 18-24 inches long, and present all year long. For peak performance, plant in rich, moist soils with plenty of room to grow.
If you would like to learn more about Selloum Philodendron, the University of Florida has more information about Selloum Philodendron plants on the IFAS website.
3. Cast Iron Plant, Aspidistra elatior
Easy to grow, shade-loving, and evergreen, the cast iron plant has been said to be “as tough as” cast iron. Dark green, 18-24 inch long leaf blades grow vertically in clumps. Serving as an attractive mass planting accent or backdrop for annuals and colorful plants, cast iron is an all-around favorite in North Florida and Jacksonville.
If you would like to learn more details about Cast Iron Plants, the University of Florida has more information about Cast Iron Plants on the IFAS website.
Top 3 Groundcover for Shade
The Top 3 Groundcover in our “Best Plants for Shade in Jacksonville” are Holly Fern, Asiatic Jasmine, and Liriope. They are easy to grow, adapt to various conditions, and are readily available at local nurseries.
1. Holly Fern, Cyrtomium falcatum
While not native to Florida, this is a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance plant that was previously designated as Plant of the Year by the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association (FNGLA).
Holly fern has dark green, leathery leaves that can grow into clumps that are two to three feet tall.
An ideal location is a shady spot under older trees and shrubs. The dark green leaves provide nice contrast or a backdrop for other colorful plants.
While holly fern is drought tolerant, they enjoy well-drained, but moist soil. Be sure to provide adequate water if you want peak performance.
If you would like to learn more about Holly Fern, the University of Florida has more information about Holly Fern Plants on the IFAS website.
2. Asiatic Jasmine, Trachelospermum asiaticum
Asiatic jasmine is a fast-growing groundcover that will form a dense mat of vegetation. It provides great value for those who want to affordably plant large areas. Due to its growth rate and spreading nature, routine maintenance is necessary to keep it contained in defined areas.
The leaves are small, evergreen, and dark green in color. Asiatic Jasmine reaches a height between 6-12 inches depending upon the growing environment.
If you would like to learn more details, the University of Florida has more information about Asiatic Jasmine plants on the IFAS website.
3. Liriope, Liriope muscari
A reliable option for groundcover plantings, Liriope provide evergreen leaves and purple spike flowers in the summer. They are adaptable to a variety of growing conditions, but prefer shady spots and rich moist soils.
Depending upon the variety you select, Liriope ranges between 12-24 inches tall and 12- 24 inches wide. If you would like to learn more details, the University of Florida has more information about Liriope plants on the IFAS website.
Closing Thoughts
When you have shade in you yard, an important task is selecting the best plants for shade. Every project site is unique, with different sun amounts of sun and shade, drainage, soils, growing space, buildings, pavements, etc. While this list of “Best Plants for Shade in Jacksonville” provides a great starting point, seeking professional help to match your unique site with the proper plant species provides you peace of mind knowing your investment will pay off in the future.
If you want more information about one of the plants listed in the article, send us a message or give us a call.
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