shade-tolerant plants for Orange County
The number ratings in the lists below refer to the amount of shade a species will tolerate with good results. Many of these plants will also do well in full sun. Drought, poor drainage, compacted soil or other site problems may reduce shade tolerance for some species. The lists were created by Craven County but have been restricted to plants suitable for growth in Orange County.
- Light shade (1): Light, filtered shade all day (as found under tall pines) or full sun for only part of the day and filtered shade for the remainder
- Medium shade (2): Only a few hours of direct sun each day, or under a light to moderate shade canopy all day.
- Heavy shade (3): Moderate to dense shade canopy all day
trees
A name in red indicates a native species.
*Flowering can be greatly reduced or even eliminated in heavy shade.
| Shade | Species |
|---|---|
| 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 | Aesculus pavia Chionanthus virginicus Cornus florida* Ilex opaca Magnolia virginiana Symplocos tinctoria |
shrubs
A name in red indicates a native species.
| Shade | Species |
|---|---|
| 1-2 2-3 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 2-3 1-2 2-3 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-3 1-2 1-2 1-2 2-3 1-2 2-3 1-2 2-3 | Abelia x grandiflora Aucuba japonica Buxus microphylla Camellia japonica & sasanqua Cephalotaxus harringtonia Clethra alnifolia Danae racemosa Daphne odora Kerria japonica Hamamelis spp. Hydrangea macrophylla & quercifolia Ilex glabra Ilex vomitoria Illicium parviflorum Itea virginica Loropetalum chinense Mahonia bealei Myrica cerifera Nandina domestica Rhododendron spp. Ruscus aculeatus |
vines
A name in red indicates a native species.
| Shade | Species |
|---|---|
| 1-2 2-3 1-2 | Gelsemium sempervirens Hedera helix Vinca minor |
groundcovers
A name in red indicates a native species.
| Shade | Species |
|---|---|
| 1-2 1 2-3 2-3 1-2 1-3 | Ajuga reptans Chasmanthium latifolium Liriope muscari Chasmanthium latifolium Ophiopogon japonicus Saxifraga stolonifera |
perennials
A name in red indicates a native species.
| Shade | Species |
|---|---|
| 1-2 1-2 1-3 2-3 1-2 1-2 1-2 1-2 2 1-2 1-2 1-2 1 1-2 2-3 1 1-2 1-2 1-3 2-3 1 1 1-2 1-2 1-2 | Amsonia tabernaemontana Aquilegia canadensis Arum italicum Asarum spp. Astilbe chinensis Baptisia alba Bletilla striata Chrysogonum virginianum Dicentra eximia Euphorbia robbiae Hedychium spp. Helleborus spp. Hemerocallis spp. Heuchera americana Hosta spp. Iris siberica Lobelia cardinalis Phlox divaricata Polygonatum Rohdea japonica Rudbeckia spp. Salvia gregii Spigelia marilandica Tricyrtis formosana (stolonifera) Zephyranthes candida |
ferns
A name in red indicates a native species.
| Shade | Species |
|---|---|
| 1-3 2-3 1-2 1-3 2-3 | Athyrium nipponicum Cyrtomium falcatum Dryopteris erythrosora Osmunda regalis Polystichum acrostichoides |
