Landscaping Under the Palm: Planting Tips for Shaded Yards

If your yard or landscape features some of Florida’s most shady trees, such as an Oak or a Palm, you may want to consider planting these low-light plants to maintain the aesthetics of the space. 

These types of plants thrive in what the Florida Wildlife Federation calls “part shade”, and typically do well in less than four hours of sun with shifting light throughout the day. Keep in mind, however, that even the most shade-tolerant of plants will struggle in the following conditions:

• Deep shade where there is little to no sunlight
• Spaces shaded by sold structures like buildings or fences
• Poor soil conditions; areas that are too dry, wet, or have dense root competition

Consider these native Floridian plants for your shade garden or landscape:

• Ground Covers
  • Frogfruit
  • Twinflower
  • Lyreleaf sage
• Ferns
  • Swamp fern
  • Maidenhair fern
• Wildflowers and Shrubs
  • Scorpions-tail
  • Mistflower
  • Senicio or golden ragwort
  • Cardinal flower
  • American beautyberry
  • Wild coffee
• Trees
  • Sweetbay magnolia
  • Hornbeam or blue beech
  • Gumbo-limbo

Not sure what’s best for your landscape? Visit our Contact Us page to talk to a professional today.