Shady spots may be cool and calm, but they can still make a bold statement. In fact, with the right plants and design ideas, they can be the most inviting parts of your landscape—especially in the heat of summer. This week, we’re shining a little light on how to make the most of your shade garden, from standout shrubs to stunning combinations. Plus, we’re tackling a not-so-welcome summer guest: Japanese beetles.
Shady spots don’t have to be dull! Fill them with color, texture, and year-round interest using these 24 shade-tolerant shrubs that are perfect for creating a lush, layered garden. Pictured: Legend Of The Fall® bottlebrush, Mahonia (Oregon grape), and Pearl Glam® beautyberry.
Design tips for using shrubs in shade:
- Choose shrubs with colorful, variegated, or glossy leaves to keep things visually interesting all season.
- Combine shrubs of different heights, textures, and leaf colors to create a layered, natural look.
- Use a bold shrub as a focal point to draw the eye and add structure.
- Mix evergreen and deciduous shrubs for year-round structure and color.
8 Expert Tips for Stunning Shade Combinations
Creating beautiful plant pairings in shady spots can be a challenge—but expert gardener Susan Martin makes it look easy. In her West Michigan garden, she combined foliage and flowers in creative ways that provide color, texture, and interest all season long. While these tips are rooted in shade gardening, the design principles—like color echoes and texture contrast—can be applied in sunny spots, too! Photo by Susan Martin.
Turn shady spots into standout spaces with smart design tips and plant inspiration. From choosing the right plants for different types of shade to layering textures, colors, and hardscape elements, this guide walks you through how to create a lush, low-light garden you’ll love year-round. Photo: Janet Loughrey. Designer: Vina Winters.
Take your shade garden to the next level with perfect companions for your hostas (because no shade garden is complete without them!). From colorful blooms to bold foliage, discover 20 of the best plants to pair with hostas for a bold and beautiful shade garden. Pictured: Shadowland® 'Miss America' hosta, the 2025 Hosta of the Year, from Proven Winners.
How to Fight Back Against Japanese Beetles
If your roses, grapes, or beans are suddenly full of holes, Japanese beetles may be the culprits. These persistent pests can wreak havoc in the garden, but there are ways to keep them under control. Learn natural and effective methods to deal with adult beetles and grubs, plus which plants to avoid (and which ones they tend to leave alone).
New Plant of the Week:
Sgt. Pepper® Dogwood
Looking for a statement shrub? Sgt. Pepper™ dogwood brings bold beauty from spring through winter. Creamy green foliage edged in pink turns fiery burgundy and hot pink in fall—plus, the stems are burgundy, too! With its large size and rounded form, it’s perfect as a specimen, hedge, or foundation plant. Zones 3-7, full sun to part shade, 6' tall x 8' wide.
My garden feels like it’s throwing a party right now! Everything’s blooming, the bees are loving it, and I’m just trying to stay out of the way. There’s something fun about seeing which plants are stealing the show each day (right now it’s my Let's Dance Loveable hydrangeas and black-eyed Susan!). What’s showing off in your garden?
Happy Gardening!
—Linda
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