Design: Shady Backyard

Published on
April 25th, 2024

Change your shady backyard into a lush retreat by planting both short and medium perennials like Ajuga, Japanese Forest Grass, and Coral Bell, which will thrive in the dappled light. Enhance the space with color from flowering shrubs like mophead hydrangea or variegated dogwood. Add the year-round structure and color of an evergreen shrub and complete the serene ambiance with a small Japanese Lilac Tree and a large shade tree like an Aspen, providing shelter and beauty.


Ensure healthy growth with Earl May Plant Start, fortified soil using Structure Soil Conditioner, and enriched planting conditions with Earl May Organic Planting Mix.


Two symbols, one gray rose-like and one pink flower-like, representing short perennials.

Short Perennials

  • Japanese Forest Grass
  • Coral Bells
  • Ajuga
Two symbols, one green and one blue, representing medium perennials.

Medium Perennials

  • Japanese Forest Grass
  • Coral Bells
  • Ajuga
Gray shrub-like symbol representing an evergreen shrub.

Evergreen Shrub

  • Variegated Euonymus
  • Boxwood
  • Yew
  • Rhododendron / Azalea

Dark purple tree-like symbol representing a small tree.

Small Tree

  • Japanese Maple
  • Redbud
  • Japanese Lilac Tree
  • Serviceberry
A dark, tree-like symbol representing a shade tree.

Shade Tree

  • Birch
  • Aspen
  • Maple
Black shrub-like symbol representing a flowering shrub.

Flowering Shrub

  • Mophead Hydrangea
  • Arctic Fire Dogwood
  • Variegated Dogwood
  • Rhododendron / Azalea

Did you know? Earl May has landscape and planting services available. If you are planning on planting, see more information about how to plant trees, shrubs, perennials and more.