Landscape Plants for Shady Areas in Tampa

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blackgravel

Tampa is a city that is rich in landscaping, with many older homes having large and majestic  shade-producing trees.  While a healthy mature shade tree can reduce the air temperature in the shade by ten degrees, and can add thousands of dollars to the appraised value of your home, they can also create some unique challenges when trying to landscape around and under them.  Fortunately, there are number of landscape plants for shady areas that can bring color and interest to create a beautiful shade garden for your home.

Not all of our Tampa landscape plants are suited for shady areas, with many of them needing at least 4 hours of sunlight to thrive.  As well, some plants that will tolerate less than 4 hours sunlight will change form or color, and lose their intended appeal in your landscape design.  Here is a list of landscape plants for shady areas that I believe are real winners, with a few notes as needed:

Landscape Plants for Shady Areas, groundcovers:

  • Mondo Grass and Dwarf Mondo Grass
  • Foxtail Fern
  • Holly Fern
  • Minima Jasmine and Variegated Minima Jasmine
  • Agapanthus
  • Bromeliad, (many varieties)
  • Liriope, many varieties including Aztec Grass
  • Caladiums
  • Dwarf Oyster Plant

Landscape Plants for Shady Areas, specimens:

  • King Sago (fronds will stretch and elongate over time to an arching pattern)
  • Cardboard Palm (fronds will stretch and elongate over time)
  • Crinum Lily, white or red (red looses red color in shade)
  • Lady Palm (multiplies by running roots....can take over if unchecked)
  • Chinese Fan Palm (does grow to 20' eventually, but very slow growing)
  • Angel's Trumpet

Landscape Plants for Shady Areas, bushes and mid-sized plants:

  • Pinwheel Jasmine
  • Azalea, many varieties
  • Croton (colors do darken in deeper shade)
  • Variegated Arboricola
  • Iris, many varieties
  • Gardenia
  • Camellia
  • Bleeding Heart Vine
  • Nandina
  • Heliconia
  • Brunsfelsia
  • Ti Plant, many varieties
  • Ginger, many varieties
  • Cast Iron Plant
  • Philodendron

Any of the landscape plants listed above would be a wonderful addition to your shade garden, and will bring color, texture, and interest to a dark space.  Give them a try, and share you photos of your finished project!  We love photos!