Shade Trees and Easy-Care Perennials

Winterthur Viburnum With Flowers

Viburnum nudum ‘Winterthur’

• Tardily deciduous shrub with dark green leaves that turn purple in fall and flat clusters of white flowers in spring.
• Plant in wet to moist rich soil.
• Plant in full sun to partial shade.
• Height: 5-7 feet.
• Width: 5-7 feet, suckering.

Winterthur Viburnum With Berries

Viburnum nudum ‘Winterthur’

Hardy in USDA zones 5-9:

• Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
• Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to partial shade.
• Zone 7: Plant in fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
• Zone 8: Plant in fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
• Zone 9: Plant in fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.

Weeping Katsura Tree

Cericidiphyllum japonicum ‘Pendula’

• Deciduous tree with weeping branches, rounded leaves and shaggy brown bark.
• Plant in moist, but well-drained organic soil.
• Plant in full sun.
• Height: 15-25 feet.
• Width: 10-15 feet.

Hardy in USDA zones 4-9:

• Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
• Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; apply extra mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt.
• Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
• Zone 7: Plant in fall; plant in full; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
• Zone 8: Plant in fall; plant in full; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
• Zone 9: Plant in fall; plant in full; provide supplemental water during dry spells.

Frida Ballard Aster

Aster novi-belgii ‘Frida Ballard’ (aka Symphyotrichum novi-belgii)

Gardener’s Note: Some plants formerly in the genus Aster have undergone a name change and are now Symphyotrichum.

• Early fall-blooming perennial with raspberry-red daisy-like flowers with yellow centers.
• Plant in full sun to light shade; flowering is better in full sun.
• Plant in moist to average garden soil that is high in organic matter.
• Height: 2-3 feet.
• Width: 2-3 feet.

Hardy in zones 4-8:

• Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; water when dry.
• Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; water when dry.
• Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; water when dry.
• Zone 7: Plant in fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall; water when dry.
• Zone 8: Plant in fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall; water when dry.

Inniswood Hosta

Hosta ‘Inniswood’

• Rounded gold corrugated foliage with a wide, deep bluish-green edge and lavender flowers.
• Plant in moist, but-well drained soil.
• Plant in partial to full shade.
• Height: 30 inches.
• Width: to 48 inches.

Hardy in USDA zones 3-8:

• Zone 3: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; mulch heavily after first hard frost; pull back mulch in early spring; divide as new growth appears in early spring; protect from deer in prone areas.
• Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; mulch heavily after first hard frost; pull back mulch in early spring; divide as new growth appears in early spring; protect from deer in prone areas.
• Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; mulch heavily after first hard frost; pull back mulch in early spring; divide as new growth appears in early spring; protect from deer in prone areas.
• Zone 6: Plant in spring or fall; mulch after first hard frost; pull back mulch in early spring; divide as new growth appears in early spring; protect from deer in prone areas.
• Zone 7: Plant in spring or fall; mulch after first hard frost; pull back mulch in early spring; divide in fall or as new growth appears in early spring; protect from deer in prone areas.
• Zone 8: Plant in spring or fall; mulch lightly in the fall; pull back mulch in early spring; divide in fall or as new growth appears in early spring; protect from deer in prone areas.

Grape Leaf Anemone

Anemone tomentosa ‘Robustissima’

• Tall, deciduous perennial noted for its pale purple-pink flowers in late summer to mid fall.
• Plant in rich, moist but well-drained soil.
• Plant in full sun to partial shade.
• May spread aggressively by rhizomes.
• Height: 3-5 feet.
• Width: to infinity.

Hardy in USDA zones 4-8:

• Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; pull back mulch in early spring; divide in spring.
• Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch heavily after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; pull back mulch in early spring; divide in spring.
• Zone 6: Plant in spring; mulch in fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; pull back mulch in early spring; divide in spring.
• Zone 7: Plant in spring or early fall; mulch in fall; plant in light to partial shade; pull back mulch in early spring; divide in spring.
• Zone 8: Plant in spring or early fall; mulch in fall; plant in light to partial shade; pull back mulch in early spring; divide in spring.

Ornamental Purple Millet

Pennisetum glaucum ‘Purple Majesty’

Gardener’s Note: Ornamental Purple Millet is prohibited in Colorado because it is invasive there. The National Park Service in California and Arizona also lists it as invasive.

• Annual ornamental grass with deep purple foliage and seed heads resembling corn.
• Plant in rich to average well-drained soil.
• Plant in full sun.
• Height: 3-5 feet.
• Width: 1-2 feet.

Annual in all zones:

• All Zones: Plant in spring after danger of frost has passed; plant in full sun; water when dry; remove plants after frost.

Margrethe Viking Aster

Aster novi-belgii ‘Margrethe Viking’ (aka Symphyotrichum novi-belgii)

• Fall-blooming perennial with white daisy-like flowers with yellow centers.
• Plant in full sun to light shade; flowering is better in full sun.
• Plant in moist to average garden soil that is high in organic matter.
• Height: 2-3 feet.
• Width: 2-3 feet.

Hardy in zones 4-8:

• Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; water when dry.
• Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; water when dry.
• Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; water when dry.
• Zone 7: Plant in fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall; water when dry.
• Zone 8: Plant in fall; plant in full sun to partial shade; mulch in fall; water when dry.

Greenspire Littleleaf Linden

Tilia cordata ‘Greenspire’

• Deciduous tree often used as a shade tree as it’s tolerant of urban conditions; but not very heat tolerant.
• Plant in full sun.
• Plant in average garden soil that is moist but well-drained.
• Height: 50-60 feet.
• Width: 25-40 feet.

Hardy in zones 3-7:

• Zone 3: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; water when dry.
• Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; water when dry.
• Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; plant in full sun; mulch after first hard frost; avoid contact with salt; water when dry.
• Zone 6: Plant in spring or early fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; water when dry.
• Zone 7: Plant in fall; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; water when dry.

Maiden or Flame Grass

Miscanthus sinensis ‘Purpurescens’

Gardener’s Note: Miscanthus sinensis is a non-native invasive grass from Asia. It has escaped cultivation and invaded natural areas throughout the Midwest and South.

• Upright ornamental grass with reddish-green foliage that turns bright red in the fall.
• Plant in full sun to light shade.
• Can be invasive.
• Tolerant of a wide range of soil.
• Prune back to ground in late winter to early spring; fertilize in spring.
• Divide every few years in early spring.
• Height: 4-6 feet.
• Width: 3-4 feet.

Hardy in zones 4-9:

• Zone 4: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first frost to prevent winter heaving; remove mulch in spring; avoid exposure to salt; plant may flop over in heavy snow or ice.
• Zone 5: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch after first frost to prevent winter heaving; remove mulch in spring; avoid exposure to salt; plant may flop over in heavy snow or ice.
• Zone 6: Plant in spring; plant in full sun; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring; plant may flop over in heavy snow or ice.
• Zone 7: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring; plant may flop over in heavy snow or ice.
• Zone 8: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring.
• Zone 9: Plant in spring; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch in fall; remove mulch in spring.

Patriot Hosta

Hosta x hybrida ‘Patriot’

• Popular white/green variegated Hosta with lavender flowers.
• Plant in moist, but-well drained soil.
• Plant in partial to full shade for all zones.
• Watch for presence of slugs.
• Hardy in AHS heat zones 9-2

Hardy in USDA zones 3-9:

• Zone 3: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; mulch heavily after first hard frost; pull back mulch in early spring; divide as new growth appears in early spring; protect from deer in prone areas.

• Zone 4: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; mulch heavily after first hard frost; pull back mulch in early spring; divide as new growth appears in early spring; protect from deer in prone areas.

• Zone 5: Plant in spring to prevent winter heaving; mulch heavily after first hard frost; pull back mulch in early spring; divide as new growth appears in early spring; protect from deer in prone areas.

• Zone 6: Plant in spring or fall; mulch after first hard frost; pull back mulch in early spring; divide as new growth appears in early spring; protect from deer in prone areas.

• Zone 7: Plant in spring or fall; mulch after first hard frost; pull back mulch in early spring; divide in fall or as new growth appears in early spring; protect from deer in prone areas.

• Zone 8: Plant in spring or fall; mulch lightly in the fall; pull back mulch in early spring; divide in fall or as new growth appears in early spring; protect from deer in prone areas.

• Zone 9: Plant in spring or fall; mulch lightly in the fall; pull back mulch in early spring; divide in fall or as new growth appears in early spring; protect from deer in prone areas.

Sunny Gretchen Garden Mum

Chrysanthemum morifolium ‘Sunny Gretchen’ (aka Dendranthema x morifolium)

• Perennial with early fall-blooming bright yellow cushion-like flowers.
• Plant in rich to average well-drained soil.
• Plant in full sun to light shade.
• Pinch back plants by ½ in late spring; divide in spring every 2-3 years.
• Height: 24 inches.
• Width: 24 inches.
• Zone 5: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after planting; avoid contact with salt.
• Zone 6: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; mulch after planting; avoid contact with salt.
• Zone 7: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
• Zone 8: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
• Zone 9: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.
• Zone 10: Plant in early fall; plant in full sun to light shade; provide supplemental water during dry spells.