choosing shrubs for the north side of your house in zone 7 requires careful consideration of both environmental conditions and aesthetic preferences.
the north side typically receive less direct sunlights and tends to be cooler and more shaded throughout the year.
in zone 7, where winters can be cold and summers warms, selecting the right shrubs ensures they not only survives but thrives in these conditions.
opting for shade -loving varieties that tolerate cooler temp is key to creating a vibrant and balanced landscapes,from evergreen species that maintain their lush greenery in winter to flowering varieties that brighten up shaded areas to create a peaceful and inviting atmosphere.
here’s some of the best shrubs :
leucothoe fontanesiana ” rainbow ” ( dog hobble )
lance shaped leaves that emerge bronze red mature to dark green , and often exhibit variegation with pink , cream and white margins, this colorful foliage adds a dynamic and eye-catching element to any garden, providing year round interest.
in spring rainbow produces small urn shaped flowers, with mild sweet beautiful fragrance ,while they may be modest in size, these flowers add a delicate and charming touch to the plant, enhancing it’s visual appeal.
this shrub has a compact and mounding growth habit, suitable as a foundation plant .
partial sun to full shade.
camellia sasanqua ” mine -no – yuki –
glossy dark green leaves that are elliptic to lanceolate in shape, providing a lush evergreen and flowering backdrop year round, this variety produces stunning semi-double, white flowers with prominent yellow stamens , appear from late fall to early winter, offering a beautiful contrast against the dark foliage and adding a touch of elegance to the winter garden.
the flowers have a delicate and sweet fragrance, that intensifies in the evening , bringing a pleasant aroma to your outdoor space.
compact and upright , it typically reach 6-10 feet in height , ideal for hedges , containers or as spicemen plant.
full sun to partial sun , benefit from protection against intense sunlight.
pachysandra terminalis ” green sheen ”
known for its glossy, dark green leaves , that are leathery in texture, forming dense mats of foliage with white flowers that blooms early spring, while the flowers of green sheen are small they surely add a subtle charm to the plant, is not know for fragrance.
low growing and spreading making it ideal as ground cover that is ideal for filling in bare spots.
full shade is ideal, it can tolerate some morning sun ,moderate watering needs prefers consistently moist soil.
low maintenance once established ,benefit from occasional pruning to control spreading.
camelia japonica ” lavinia maggi ”
dark green leathery leaves that are elliptic and glossy, maintaining their vibrant color throughout the year, this variety produces large , formal double flowers in shades of soft pink to deep rose , blooming from late winter to early spring, these stunning flowers add a burst of color and elegance to the garden , when many other plants are still dormant.
the flowers have mild fragrance, particularly noticeable in the morning.
this shrub have a dense and bushy growth habit , typically reaching 6-12 feet in height providing a focal point with it’s vibrant blooms.
partial sun, benefit from protection against intense sunlight .
vinca major ( big periwinkle )
glossy dark green leaves that are ovate and opposite, creating a dense carpet of foliage, this plant produces striking blue -purple star shaped flowers that bloom in spring, adding a burst of color to your garden and creating a visual interest.
slight fragrance, particularly noticeable in the evening.
trailing growth habit, making it ideal for ground cover its also perfect for cascading over walls or hanging basket, adding a touch of green and color to various garden settings.
prefers full to partial shade.
camellia sasanqua ” hugh evans ”
dark green, lance shaped leaves that are glossy and dense, offering a rich backdrop, with a profuse, semi-double rose pink flowers , that adds a burst of color to the garden during the cooler months and contrasting beautifully with the foliage .
blooms from fall through winter , with light fragrance, often describes as sweet and floral, adding a subtle aromatic dimension to your garden during their blooming period.
compact and rounded growth habit, making it ideal for hedging or as a standalone spicemen.
full sun to partial shade benefit from protection against intense sunlight.
aucuba japonica picturata ( spotted laurel )
large leathery leaves, that are elliptic and dark green with bold ,irregular golden yellow spot, providing year round interest with it’s variegated foliage.
inconspicuous purple flowers may appear in spring , but picturata , is primarily values for it’s foliage rather than its blooms.
upright and dense growth habit, typically reaching 4-6 feet in height , its a versatile plant that can be used asa spiceman shrub hedges or in mixed borders.
full to partial shade.
berberis verruculosa ( warty barberry )
small glossy green with slight blue-green hue leaves that are oval and toothed, often turning shades of red or purple in fall, with beautiful clusters of bright yellow flowers in spring, contrasting with the foliage, and adding a subtle charm to the shrub.
compact and mounded habit growth typically reaching a height of 3-5 feet providing structure and seasonal color, this shrub is well suited for borders, hedges or as a spiceman plants in your garden.
full sun to partial shade.
buxus sempervirens ” suffruticosa ” boxwood
small oval to lance -shaped leaves that are evergreen and densely packed on woody stems with inconspicuous greenish -yellow flowers in spring , which are more valued for their pollinator attraction than ornamental display , followed by small, round seed capsules.
slow growing and compact easily pruned into formal shapes like hedges or topiaries.
full sun to partial shade.
autumn rocket camellia :
features dark green , lanceolate leaves that are glossy , dense and compact, contributing to the plants overall neat appearance, providing a lush backdrop throughout the year.
this variety produces vibrant large ,single to semi-double pink flowers with occasional white accents , adding a vibrant splash of color to the garden during the cooler months , blooms profusely in late fall to winter, with sweet and floral mild fragrance.
upright and columnar reaching 6-8 feet height ideal for narrow spaces or as a focal point .
full sun to partial shade, benefit from protection against intense sunlight.
sasanqua camellia
dark green ,elliptic leaves that are glossy and compact , maintaining their color year round , with beautiful single to semi-double blooms , in shades of white, pink or red from fall to early winter.
compact and bushy , suitable for hedges ,containers or mixed borders in full sun to partial shade .
agarista populifolia ” florida hobblebush ”
broad, glossy leaves that are dark green and elliptic, providing a lush backdrop, with fragrant white flower in late spring, attracting pollinators.
upright and bushy.
full sun to partial shade.