What Are Good Bushes/evergreens That Will Grow Well In 3′ X 3′ Planters In The Shade And Under Cover?

Question

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.

Answer 1

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