Are you looking to see if you can grow conifers in the shade?
Shade tolerant evergreens are the perfect solution for those hard-to-fill shady spots in your garden. With a wide variety of shapes and sizes, there’s sure to be one that fits your needs.
Not only do they grow well in the shade, but these conifers are also fast-growing evergreen trees for shade so you can enjoy their beauty sooner rather than later.
Check out our thoughts on shade-tolerant conifers below!
What conifer grows in shade?
Do you know the answer to this question? If not, then read on to learn about what are the best conifer trees that will grow in the shade.
If you are someone who is interested in growing plants then one day you might be asked this same question by a friend or neighbor as we were: “What conifer grows in shade?” It is an excellent question because it provides us with the opportunity to discuss the topic of coniferous trees here at https://www.gardeningonlinemagazine.com.
For example, you might tell them that to grow in shade doesn’t necessarily mean that there is not enough sunlight. It just means that there are areas where there isn’t direct exposure to the sun all day long which is perfect for plants like pines and spruces to thrive.
You might also want to explain how conifers are able to survive in the shade because they have a few different adaptations compared to deciduous trees.
- First, those with needle-shaped leaves can absorb sunlight from any angle so they don’t necessarily need the sun’s rays to shine directly on them.
- Second, evergreens do not shed their leaves during the winter which helps them retain the warmth of the sun’s rays.
- Third, conifers produce cones that are very small and can be hidden under their leaves which helps protect them from animals looking for an easy meal.
Finally, it might be helpful to explain how certain types of soil contribute to whether or not a coniferous tree will grow in shade. For instance, soils that are on the acidic side such as those found in areas of Alaska and Canada will support plant life more than soil with a higher alkaline concentration found in other areas.
Can conifers grow in full shade?
When trying to grow conifers in an area that is shaded by larger deciduous trees, it will be necessary to select species that tolerate the shade well. Most conifers will produce the best growth when they are allowed full sun but there are a few varieties of conifer that will perform well in more shady areas.
There are many conifer cultivars (cultivated varieties) that will grow well in areas of high shade because they are either bred for this or have naturally evolved to survive periods of low light conditions.
For example, the Cyprus pine (Pinus brutia) is an extremely popular conifer that grows well in full sun but also tolerates shaded areas as well as some drought and is also relatively pest-resistant.
Do conifers need direct sunlight?
There are many different types of coniferous plants that have varying levels of sun tolerance. That is, some need lots of direct sunlight to grow well while others can cope with full, direct sunlight better than others. Below we will explain how much sun is needed by each type in order for them to grow in the best way they can.
Conifers that need full, direct sunlight include the:
- Coastal Redwood
- Yews
- Larches among many others.
The coastal redwood typically grows in very warm climates with lots of sun such as California. It also needs a high amount of rainfall throughout the year which is one reason why it cannot tolerate very cold climates. Yews are typically found on the edge of forests, providing a useful way to increase sunlight for other woodland plants nearby.
Conifers that cope with full, direct sunlight better than others but also need some indirect sunlight include spruces and cedars among many others. Spruces are typically evergreen trees that are able to live in cooler climates where other plants cannot. They also prefer higher altitudes. Cedars are typically evergreen trees that are able to live in warmer or drier climates where other plants cannot, one reason being that they have low water needs.
Conifers that do not need full, direct sunlight to grow well include tees and firs among others. Tees typically grow in cooler, wetter climates where other plants cannot which is one reason why they do not need a high amount of sun to grow well. Firs are typically evergreen trees that bear cones but can also live in warm or drier climates where other plants cannot. They have thick needles with a high wax content which helps reflect light as well as store water efficiently.
So as you can see, conifers cope with full, direct sunlight better than others because they either evolved or were bred to do so. However, it is worth noting that these types of conifers need indirect sunlight as well as direct sunlight to grow well.
Conifers that need full, direct sunlight include the coastal redwood, yews, and larches among many others.
Conifers that cope with full, direct sunlight better than others but also need some indirect sunlight include spruces and cedars among many others. Tees and firs do not need full, direct sunlight to grow well.
As you have seen Conifers can be grown in almost all conditions, including full shade and full sun. Some Conifers can be considered as shade-tolerant trees, when thinking about what type of conifers to use in your garden, shade-tolerant dwarf conifers also considered as small evergreen trees for shade make a great choice, as they are evergreen trees that grow in the shade and can be used in UK gardens. If you are looking for something larger it is quite easy to find pine trees that grow in the shade if you have the space to accommodate them.
Conclusion:
In simple terms yes there are a number of Conifers that will grow well in the shade, happy planting.