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The Best Partial Sun Shrubs For Filtered Light

By Calin Oancea

4/5/20245 min read

Partial sun shrubs thrive in the balance of light and shade and offer a great look and texture to gardens.

These plants are ideal for spaces with filtered sunlight, brightening up these areas with their varied textures and colors. In this article, we will reveal 10 of the best shrubs for your partial sun garden which we tried and grown in our garden.

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a prtial shade bush with red blooms
a prtial shade bush with red blooms
green Holly bushes with spiny leaves in partial sun
green Holly bushes with spiny leaves in partial sun

Holly

Holly bushes are great evergreen ornamentals, growing up to 2-15 m (6-50 ft), and prefer full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. The green shrubs have red berries, after having these shrubs we noticed that the berries can be a food source for birds in winter and their dense foliage offers shelter for other inhabitants.

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dark green design
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Hydrangeas with red blooms in a full sun zone 6 garden
Hydrangeas with red blooms in a full sun zone 6 garden

Hydrangea

One of the favorites of gardeners when it comes to partial sun shrubs is Hydrangea, with large, showy blooms that vary in color. Our experts saw that they thrive in partial sun and reach 1-2 m (3-6 ft) in height. Hydrangeas prefer well-drained, moist soil. Their ability to change color based on soil pH makes them a fascinating addition to any garden.

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dark green design
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leafy full sun Spirea bush with pink blooms
leafy full sun Spirea bush with pink blooms

Spirea

Spirea is a delightful shrub that comes alive with flowers in spring and summer. Typically reaching 60-120 cm (2-4 ft) in height, it's ideal for adding color to garden borders. Spirea thrives in well-drained soil and offers a show of vibrant blooms that are a favorite among pollinators.

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dark green design
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a green partial sun bush with white blooms
a green partial sun bush with white blooms

Ninebark

Ninebark reaches about 1.5-2.5 m (5-8 ft), is a robust shrub with white flowers. It flourishes in full sun and blooms in shades of pink and white in spring. Ninebark's foliage, which can range from deep purple to bright green, adds visual interest throughout the growing season which makes it an amazing choice for landscaping.

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dark green design
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an evergreen Japanese Camellia bush with one coloful flower
an evergreen Japanese Camellia bush with one coloful flower

Japanese Camellia has large, rose-like flowers that flower in winter and spring. The blooming bush grows slowly to about 1.5-2.5 m (5-8 ft) and prefers well-drained, acidic soil in partial shade. Camellias add a touch of elegance to any garden setting when it comes to partial sun or full shade.

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dark green design
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Japanese Camellia

a smal Laurel plant with green leaves
a smal Laurel plant with green leaves

Laurel, prefers well-drained soil and full to partial sun. Its glossy leaves and dense growth make it unappealing to deer, offering effective privacy. It can grow up to 5-6 m (16-20 ft) and is ideal for tall privacy screens or as a full sun shrub.

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Laurel

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Butterfly Bush

The purple flowering Butterfly Bush has long flower spikes that attract butterflies and multiple other pollinators. The partial sunbush is both drought-tolerant and resistant to cold aldough in some regions it may work well as a shade annual. Butterfly Bush, growing up to 1.5-2.5 m (5-8 ft), is a sun-loving shrub that can also grow in partial shade.

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dark green design
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a purple Butterfly Bush flower in a trees in the background
a purple Butterfly Bush flower in a trees in the background
multiple pink and deer resistant Rhodendron flowers in shade
multiple pink and deer resistant Rhodendron flowers in shade

Rhododendron

Rhododendron is a shade-loving garden plant with colorful pink flowers. It grows up to 1-2 m (3-6 ft) and requires acidic, well-draining soil. Rhododendrons are available in various colors and are perfect for adding a burst of color to shady areas. Their thick leaves are generally unattractive to deer, making them a safe choice for a woodland garden.

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dark green design
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Pieris

Pieris is a stunning evergreen with red newgrowth that reaches 1-3 m (3-10 ft) in height. Its cascading clusters of white or pink flowers and vibrant new leaf growth make it a standout in any garden. It prefers acidic, well-drained soil, thrives in partial sun and is perfect to plant and grow as a woodland garden plant.

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dark green design
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a flowering Forsythis bush in spring
a flowering Forsythis bush in spring

Forsythia

Forsythia, reaching up to 2-3 m (6-10 ft), is a great plant with bright yellow flowers that bloom in spring. It thrives in full sun and adapts well to various soil types similar to Knock out Roses. The yellow flowering plant is perfect for creating a vibrant display in early spring and can be used for hedges and bushes but also as a tree for partial shade.

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dark green design
dark green design
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Calin Oancea
Calin Oancea
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Green Box

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Calin is in the garden industry for 5 years now and knows a lot about gardening and plants. He is the owner of this website and responsible for most of the content.