Q.What Are Good Bushes/evergreens That Will Grow Well In 3′ X 3′ Planters In The Shade And Under Cover?
These containers are about 3’x3′ square and we will alternate a tall bush in one container with a short bush in the next. There are 11 of them. They will be supplemented with seasonal shade growing plants, and are underneath a large porte cochere which effectively blocks the sun. We are in zone 6a – NKY outside of Cincinnati,OH. The selections are Thuja green Arborvitae and Fire Mound arborviate. Do you have other suggestions? I’m not confident that these are good choices.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
Arborvitae does best with at least part sun. Yew is probably the most shade tolerant. Shade tolerant evergreens include:
False cypress ‘Snow’ (Chamaecyparis pisifera)
Valley Valentine Japanese Pieris (Pieris japonica ‘Valley Valentine’)
Glossy Abelia (Abelia x grandiflora)
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/shade/evergreens-for-shade.htm