The previous issue of the Horticulture and Home Pest News contained a list of perennials that perform well in partial to heavy shade. A number of trees and shrubs can also be successfully grown in partial shade.

Trees and Shrubs Adapted to Partial Shade

Common Name	Scientific Name	Height	Comments
Five-Leaf Aralia	Acanthopanax sieboldianus	3-6 feet	Has prickly stems, makes good barrier plant.
Serviceberry	Amelanchier spp.	10-25 feet White flowers in spring, good fall color.
Mentor Barberry	Berberis x mentorensis	3-6 feet	Thorny stems, excellent hedge plant. Hardiness zone 5.
American Hornbeam	Carpinus caroliniana	20-25 feet	Large, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree.
Eastern Redbud	Cercis canadensis	20-25 feet	Small tree that produces flowers in spring. Hardiness zone 5.
Pagoda Dogwood	Cornus alternifolia	15-25 feet	Small, native tree with branching habit. Yellow-white flowers.
Gray Dogwood	Cornus racemosa	8-10 feet	Suckering shrub.
Common Witchhazel	Hamamelis virginiana	12-15 feet	Small, yellow flowers and foliage in fall.
Smooth Hydrangea	Hydrangea arborescens	3-5 feet Large flower clusters in summer.
Japanese Kerria	Kerria japonica	3-6 feet	Upright arching shrub, yellow June. Hardiness zone 5.
Russian Cypress	Microbiota decussata	12 inches	Low, spreading evergreen. Foliage resembles arborvitae.
Ironwood	Ostrya virginiana	25-40 feet	Small, slow-growing tree. Can be difficult to establish.
Rhododendron	Rhododendron spp.	Variable	Good choices for Iowa include 'PMJ','Aglo,' and 'Olga Mezitt.'
Black Jetbead	Rhodotypos scandens	4-6 feet	Not showy, but a tough, durable shrub. Hardiness zone 5.
Alpine Currant	Ribes alpinum	3-6 feet	Good hedge plant, tolerates pruning well.
Snowberry	Symphoricarpos spp.	3-6 feet	Plants produce white, pink, or purple fruit.
Canadian Hemlock	Tsuga canadensis	40-50 feet	Attractive, graceful tree. Prefers moist, well-drained soils. Dislikes hot, dry sites.
Yew	Taxus spp.	Variable	Most shade tolerant evergreen. Adapts well to pruning.
Arrowwood Viburnum	Viburnum dentatum	6-8 feet	Hardy, adaptable shrub. Produces white flowers in spring and blue fruit in fall.
Blackhaw Viburnum	Viburnum prunifolium	12-15 feet	Large, multi-stemmed shrub or small, rounded tree.

Unless noted, all of the above trees and shrubs are hardythroughout Iowa.

This article originally appeared in the June 24, 1994 issue, p. 100.