Low growing, spreading, part shade shrubs - Ask Extension
Hi, I live in Aspen and have about a 15 x 15 foot plot in my rear yard that gets maybe two to three hours of sun per day. I'd like to fill it with lo...
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Low growing, spreading, part shade shrubs #873478
Asked June 17, 2024, 3:21 PM EDT
Hi, I live in Aspen and have about a 15 x 15 foot plot in my rear yard that gets maybe two to three hours of sun per day. I'd like to fill it with low shrubs that will fill in the space. Can you make recommendations. Thanks, N
Pitkin County Colorado
Expert Response
Hi Neil,
Below are some short shrubs that can tolerate shade and should perform well in Aspen (USDA hardiness zone 5, about 8000' elevation):
Manzanita/Panchito Manzanita (Arctostaphylos x coloradoensis)
- grows up to about 1'
Kinnikinnic (Arctostaphylos uva ursi)
- grows up to 6"
Creeping Oregon grapeholly (Mahonia repens)
- grows up to 1'
Common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
- grows up to 2-6' depending on the variety
- 'Nanus' variety grows up to 2' tall
- 'Lemon Candy' variety grows up to 2-2 1/2' tall
- 'Little Devil' variety grows 3-4' tall
- var. intermedius grows up to 4' tall.
Boulder raspberry (Rubus deliciosus)
- grows up to 3-4'
Oregon grapeholly (Mahonia aquifolium)
- grows up to 2-6' depending on the variety
- ‘Compacta’ variety grows to about 2-3' tall
- 'Mayhan Strain' variety grows to 2.5-3.5' tall
Thank you for using AskExtension!
- Denyse
Below are some short shrubs that can tolerate shade and should perform well in Aspen (USDA hardiness zone 5, about 8000' elevation):
Manzanita/Panchito Manzanita (Arctostaphylos x coloradoensis)
- grows up to about 1'
Kinnikinnic (Arctostaphylos uva ursi)
- grows up to 6"
Creeping Oregon grapeholly (Mahonia repens)
- grows up to 1'
Common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius)
- grows up to 2-6' depending on the variety
- 'Nanus' variety grows up to 2' tall
- 'Lemon Candy' variety grows up to 2-2 1/2' tall
- 'Little Devil' variety grows 3-4' tall
- var. intermedius grows up to 4' tall.
Boulder raspberry (Rubus deliciosus)
- grows up to 3-4'
Oregon grapeholly (Mahonia aquifolium)
- grows up to 2-6' depending on the variety
- ‘Compacta’ variety grows to about 2-3' tall
- 'Mayhan Strain' variety grows to 2.5-3.5' tall
Thank you for using AskExtension!
- Denyse
Thanks Denyse for your timely response. To clarify, I'm in Zone 4 not 5. Will your recommendations hold for the lower temperature zone?
Thanks, Neil
From: ask=<personal data hidden> <ask=<personal data hidden>> on behalf of Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 1:31 PM
To: Neil Bennett <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Low growing, spreading, part shade shrubs (#0143396)
Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2024 1:31 PM
To: Neil Bennett <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Low growing, spreading, part shade shrubs (#0143396)
Hi Neil,
Oregon grapeholly and Manzanita are not hardy to zone 4 (hardy to zone 5). The rest of the list is hardy to at least zone 4.
Also USDA updated their hardiness zone map this year and many areas in Colorado moved up a hardiness zone so you might want to check their website if you haven't checked recently. For example all of the City of Aspen is in Zone 5b and there are very few areas left in Pitkin County that are zone 4: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/
Thanks!
- Denyse
Oregon grapeholly and Manzanita are not hardy to zone 4 (hardy to zone 5). The rest of the list is hardy to at least zone 4.
Also USDA updated their hardiness zone map this year and many areas in Colorado moved up a hardiness zone so you might want to check their website if you haven't checked recently. For example all of the City of Aspen is in Zone 5b and there are very few areas left in Pitkin County that are zone 4: https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/
Thanks!
- Denyse
