I grow azalea and rhododendron in shady areas - they seem to do well. The ones in partial shade do better than the ones in full shade, though. I'm zone 7a.
Hydrangea and Rose of Sharon may also grow in partial shade.
this post was submitted on 26 Apr 2025
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Thank you so much! I'll try and look for some azalea today :)
I see you're in zone 3b - that might be too cold for azalea. Definitely check the specific species' requirements before buying.
Good luck!
Rhododendrons and azaleas are the way to go. Just make sure to look up which varieties you're getting so that you know if it can thrive in full shade. Some like more sun than others.
What zone are you in?
Sorry! I forgot to mention. I'm in zone 3b
Azalea, hellebores, and sarcococca that have been suggested won't survive in your zone. There are some rhododendron that can survive, and those might be your best bet.
I am a flower freak, so I would just plant a ton of hellebores. That is what I’ve done with a very shady spot in my backyard, and now I have hundreds of blooms I can cut from and bring inside from January to April. They are never going to be super tall, but they are massive now! I also have hydrangeas (including oak leaf, which give pretty autumn foliage), astilbe, heuchera, sanguisorba, ferns, and rhododendrons in shade, as others have mentioned.
Sarcococca
It grows in partial to full shade, you can shape it (evergreen) the dwarf version doesn’t grow tall. It’s flowers, particularly Dwarf Sweet Box (Sarcococca humilis) and Winter Gem (Sarcococca hookeriana), are known for their fragrant blooms reminiscent of jasmine and honeysuckle
Can be grown in a cold zone like 4.
I have Berberis Repens in full shade where almost nothing else will grow. Hasn't bloomed yet though. Google says it's good down to USDA zone 5. I think there are more ornamental Berberis species and hybrids that may work too.