When you shop through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This educational content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.

Best Shrubs For Afternoon Sun (2024 Updated)

If you’re looking for a way to add some character and color to your yard or garden, shrubs may be the answer. But with so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to know which ones to choose. One important factor to consider is how much sun your shrubs will be exposed to. If your yard gets a lot of afternoon sun, you’ll want to choose shrubs that can handle those conditions.

Before making a decision, consider the size and shape of the shrub, as well as its growth rate and maintenance needs. Will it fit in with the overall aesthetic of your yard or clash with it? Think about the soil conditions in your yard and whether the shrub you’re interested in can thrive in that environment. It’s also important to think about the purpose of the shrub – will it serve as a privacy screen, a focal point, or simply a colorful addition to your yard?

If you’re still unsure what shrubs would be best for your afternoon sun-soaked yard, ask yourself some questions. Do you want evergreen or deciduous shrubs? Are you looking for something fragrant or low maintenance? Do you want a variety of colors or shades of green? By considering these factors and doing some research, you can find the perfect shrubs to brighten up your garden and thrive in the afternoon sun.

10 Best Shrubs For Afternoon Sun

# Product Image Product Name Product Notes Check Price
1
The product is an ideal shrub for adding visual interest to a garden with its white flowers and variegated foliage.
2
The product is ideal for landscaping and adding diversity to gardens with visually appealing shrubbery.
3
The product is ideal for creating low-maintenance outdoor hedges that are evergreen and thrive in full sun conditions.
4
Ideal for creating a fast-growing and evergreen hedge.
5
The product is ideal for adding a pop of bright-yellow color to your outdoor space with its evergreen shrub.
6
The product is ideal for outdoor landscaping with evergreen shrubs that thrive in full sun to part sun environments.
7
The product is ideal for creating a low-maintenance, shaded garden that lasts for years.
8
The product is ideal for perennial shade gardens, featuring green and white leave bulbs that grow year after year.
9
Ideal for growing a variety of low-maintenance, shade-loving perennial plants with colorful foliage in your garden.
10
Ideal for adding fragrance and beauty to outdoor spaces, as well as attracting pollinators and wildlife.
The product is an ideal shrub for adding visual interest to a garden with its white flowers and variegated foliage.
The product is ideal for landscaping and adding diversity to gardens with visually appealing shrubbery.
The product is ideal for creating low-maintenance outdoor hedges that are evergreen and thrive in full sun conditions.
Ideal for creating a fast-growing and evergreen hedge.
The product is ideal for adding a pop of bright-yellow color to your outdoor space with its evergreen shrub.
The product is ideal for outdoor landscaping with evergreen shrubs that thrive in full sun to part sun environments.
The product is ideal for creating a low-maintenance, shaded garden that lasts for years.
The product is ideal for perennial shade gardens, featuring green and white leave bulbs that grow year after year.
Ideal for growing a variety of low-maintenance, shade-loving perennial plants with colorful foliage in your garden.
Ideal for adding fragrance and beauty to outdoor spaces, as well as attracting pollinators and wildlife.

1. Ivory Halo Varigated Dogwood – #3 Container

This landscape plant comes in a 3-gallon trade pot, fully rooted in soil and ready to be planted upon arrival, as long as the weather is suitable. Please refrain from planting during frigid winter months or under drought conditions. Shipment includes detailed planting and care instructions. For optimal growth, plant in USDA Zones 3-7. The plant grows up to 4-6ft in height and spread, with a popular Green and White foliage and attractive Red stems that add character to your winter garden. It thrives in full or partial sun, and is expected to be dormant with no leaves from late fall through winter months, which is a natural process. New leaves will sprout in Spring.

Pros

  • Comes in a 3-gallon trade pot, fully rooted and ready to plant
  • Detailed planting and care instructions are included with shipment
  • Attractive Green and White foliage with Red stems add character to your winter garden
  • Thrives in full or partial sun
  • Expected to grow up to 4-6ft in height and spread

Cons

  • – Not recommended to plant during frigid winter months or under drought conditions

2. 2 Gal. Obsession Nandina Shrub

Add a pop of color to your garden with this stunning plant that boasts vibrant leaf color all year round. Perfect for USDA zones 6-10, this plant thrives in both sun and partial shade. With low maintenance requirements, it's easy to care for and only needs to be watered twice a week until established, after which it only requires weekly watering. Although it doesn't bloom, its beautiful leaf color is perfect for brightening up your garden during the winter months. Ideal for full sun exposure, this plant is a must-have for any garden lover.

Looking for a plant that adds a burst of color to your garden all year round? Look no further than this stunning plant! Perfect for USDA zones 6-10, it thrives in both sun and partial shade and is incredibly low maintenance. Water it twice a week until established, and then simply water once a week thereafter. Although it doesn't bloom, the vibrant leaf color is a beautiful addition to any garden, especially during the winter months. Make sure to plant it in full sun for best results.

Pros

  • Stunning leaf color all year round
  • Perfect for USDA zones 6-10
  • Thrives in both sun and partial shade
  • Low maintenance
  • Ideal for full sun exposure

Cons

  • – Does not bloom

3. Wintergreen Boxwood (2.5 Gallon) Low-Maintenance Evergreen Hedge Shrub – Full Sun Live Outdoor Plant

Looking for a reliable and easy-to-maintain hedge plant that can provide privacy and block out noise? Look no further than the Boxwood Wintergreen! This compact shrub can grow up to 3-5 feet in both height and width, making it an ideal choice for foundation plantings, hedges, or topiaries.

With its petite leaves and slow growth rate, the Boxwood Wintergreen requires little pruning to maintain its shape. However, if you're feeling creative, you can easily turn it into an eye-catching topiary that will impress your neighbors!

One of the most impressive features of this plant is its hardiness. It can survive in temperatures as low as -20 to -10 °F, making it one of the toughest boxwoods around. This plant is also ideal for zones 5-9 and is shipped in a pot with soil.

Please note that the Boxwood Wintergreen is not available for shipment to Hawaii, Tennessee, or Alaska. But if you are in the USDA hardiness zone 5-8, you can enjoy this beautiful shrub in your own yard.

Overall, if you're looking for a low-maintenance and hardy plant that can provide excellent privacy and noise reduction, the Boxwood Wintergreen is an excellent choice.

Pros

  • Requires little pruning
  • Hardy down to -20 to -10 °F
  • Can be shaped into a topiary
  • Provides excellent privacy and noise reduction

Cons

  • – Not available for shipment to Hawaii, Tennessee, or Alaska
  • – Does not have any blossoms

4. Gem Boxwood: 10 Live Evergreen Plants.

This plant is perfect for those who are looking for a medium-sized, mounded and round form shrub. The mature height of the plant is from 3-3.5 feet with a spread of 3 feet. It's a great option for those who live in Zones 5-8. The plant can grow in full shade to full sun, making it a versatile option for any garden. It can be used as a specimen, foundation, background, or area separation plant. The package includes 10 plants, each 10-12 inches tall, shipped in trade gallon containers with soil-less media and a 9-month slow-release fertilizer. Please note that California orders will be cancelled due to state regulations that are beyond the seller's control. It is recommended to transplant the plants during the fall season when the leaves are changing and falling off. The package comes with a guarantee of successful transplant for 30 days, provided that the correct planting instructions are followed, including the location and water. Deciduous plants purchased during the winter when dormant are guaranteed to leaf out in the spring under the same conditions.

Pros

  • Mounded and round form shrub with a medium size that suits most gardens
  • Can grow in full shade to full sun
  • Versatile option for any garden
  • Package includes 10 plants, each 10-12 inches tall, shipped in trade gallon containers with soil-less media and a 9-month slow-release fertilizer
  • 30-day guarantee of successful transplant if planting instructions are followed correctly
  • Deciduous plants bought during the winter when dormant are guaranteed to leaf out in the spring.

Cons

  • – California orders will be cancelled due to state regulations.

5. Yellow Sun Ligustrum: Full Sun Shrub

Introducing the Ligustrum sinense 'Sunshine' PP20379, a stunning evergreen shrub from the Southern Living Plant Collection. This full sun shrub boasts bright yellow foliage that adds a pop of color to any garden. The plant is shipped in a pot with soil and is available for delivery to all states except TN, HI, and AK.

The Ligustrum sinense 'Sunshine' PP20379 grows to a mature size of 3-6 feet in height and 3-4 feet in width. It is recommended for USDA Zones 6-10 and thrives in full sun.

This plant is perfect for those looking for a low maintenance, yet eye-catching addition to their garden. It is also a great choice for hedges or border plantings.

Order now and receive a healthy and vibrant Ligustrum sinense 'Sunshine' PP20379, shipped directly from the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Pros

  • Stunning evergreen shrub with bright yellow foliage that adds a pop of color to any garden
  • Low maintenance plant, perfect for those looking for an eye-catching addition to their garden
  • Great choice for hedges or border plantings

Cons

  • – Not available for delivery to TN, HI, and AK

6. Pringles Evergreen Shrub For Outdoor Sunlight.

Looking for a low-maintenance and visually appealing plant for your garden? The Podocarpus macrophyllus 'Pringles Dwarf' is an exceptional choice! This plant is available for shipping across the United States, except for Hawaii and Alaska. The plant is shipped in a pot filled with soil, ensuring that it arrives healthy and ready for planting.

The Podocarpus macrophyllus 'Pringles Dwarf' is a slow-growing shrub that can add a unique and interesting look to your garden. It grows to a mature size of 4-5 feet in height and 6-5 feet in width. Its compact size makes it perfect for small gardens, patios, or as a container plant. The plant's foliage consists of dark green needles that are soft to the touch, adding a pleasant texture to your garden.

This plant is suitable for USDA zones 8-11, which covers most of the southern United States. It is highly adaptable to various soil types and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade. With the proper care, this shrub can live up to twenty years, providing you with a long-lasting addition to your garden.

Bring a touch of elegance and sophistication to your garden with the Podocarpus macrophyllus 'Pringles Dwarf'. Order now and enjoy the beauty of this unique plant!

Pros

  • Low-maintenance and visually appealing plant
  • Ships in a pot with soil, ensuring healthy arrival
  • Compact size makes it perfect for small gardens, patios, or containers
  • Highly adaptable to various soil types and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade
  • Can live up to twenty years with proper care

Cons

  • – Unavailable for shipping to Hawaii and Alaska
  • – Slow-growing shrub may not provide instant gratification for those looking for immediate results

7. Mixed Hosta Perennials (6 Pack Of Bare Roots) – Great Hardy Shade Plants

Introducing the Fresh and Healthy Bare Root Starts, a perfect addition to any garden! This set includes 6 bare root starts that come with a 100% grow guarantee. These perennializing hostas bloom throughout the summer and fall, providing beautiful scenery in your garden. With low maintenance, they grow up to approximately 18 inches in diameter, making them a great option for small gardens or for those who prefer plants that don't require a lot of work.

These bare root starts are fresh and healthy, ensuring that they will grow into beautiful plants. They are easy to plant and require minimal care, making them perfect for beginners or those who don't have a lot of time to devote to gardening. With a 100% grow guarantee, you can be confident that your investment will pay off.

The blooms of these hostas are a sight to behold. They add a splash of color to your garden in the form of beautiful flowers that last from summer through fall. As perennializing hostas, they will bloom year after year, providing you with beautiful scenery for years to come.

In addition to their beautiful blooms, these hostas are also low maintenance. They don't require a lot of water or fertilizer, so you can spend less time caring for them and more time enjoying their beauty. And with a diameter of approximately 18 inches, they are a great option for small gardens or for those who prefer plants that don't take up too much space.

Pros

  • Fresh and healthy bare root starts
  • 100% grow guarantee
  • Blooms summer through fall
  • Perennializing hostas
  • Low maintenance
  • Grows to about 18 inches in diameter

8. Raspberry Sundae Hosta – Shade Perennial Delight

The No. 1 Premium Bulb is perfect for those who want a low-maintenance garden that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds. This perennial bulb grows year after year, reaching a mature height of 8 to 12 inches. It is ideal for planting in partial or full shade, making it a versatile addition to any landscape.

With its attractive blooms and easy care requirements, the No. 1 Premium Bulb is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced gardeners alike. Its long-lasting flowers are sure to brighten up any garden, while its ability to attract pollinators makes it an eco-friendly option.

Whether you're looking to create a vibrant garden or simply want to add some color to your landscape, the No. 1 Premium Bulb is an excellent choice. Its reliable growth and attractive blooms are sure to impress.

Pros

  • Low-maintenance perennial bulb that grows year after year
  • Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, making it an eco-friendly option
  • Ideal for planting in partial or full shade
  • Reliable growth and attractive blooms

9. Hosta Mixed – 6 Perennial Bare Roots

The 6 Bare Root Perennial Hostas are a great addition to any garden. These plants are ready to grow and will bloom from summer through fall, bringing color and beauty to your yard. They are hardy perennials that can withstand zones 3 to 8, making them a great choice for a wide range of climates. These hostas are perfect for shaded areas and can grow up to 18 inches in height, while spreading between 32 to 36 inches. They require low maintenance and are easy to care for, making them a great choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

Pros

  • Blooms from summer through fall, adding color and beauty to any garden
  • Hardy perennial that can withstand zones 3 to 8, making it suitable for a wide range of climates
  • Great for shaded areas and can grow up to 18 inches in height
  • Low maintenance and easy to care for, making it ideal for both beginner and experienced gardeners

10. Perfect Plants Frostproof Gardenia Live Plant, 1 Gallon Pot

The Live 1 Gallon Frost Proof Gardenia is an excellent addition to any home garden or landscape. It comes with easy-to-use plant food and features deep green, spindle leaves with fragrant, white flowers appearing every spring-summer. This gardenia shrub offers a refreshing and inviting aroma during blooming season, making it perfect for planting in mulch beds along the front entryway, next to mailboxes or benches, or in fragrant gardens.

The Frost Proof Gardenia is a sun-loving plant that prefers a spot in the landscape that receives full sun exposure and partial shade throughout the day. It has a mature height of 5 ft and a mature width of 4 ft, with narrow, shrub-like branching that sprouts deep green foliage and fragrant, white flowers in spring. Unlike other gardenias, this one is easy to maintain in the landscape, as no pruning is necessary to keep its shape. It is also deer-resistant and will rely on rainfall for hydration.

Pros

  • Comes with easy-to-use plant food
  • Features deep green, spindle leaves with fragrant, white flowers appearing every spring-summer
  • Offers a refreshing and inviting aroma during blooming season
  • Perfect for planting in mulch beds along the front entryway, next to mailboxes or benches, or in fragrant gardens
  • Easy to maintain in the landscape
  • Deer-resistant and will rely on rainfall for hydration

Best Shrubs For Afternoon Sun FAQs

Are there any shrubs that can provide shade in areas with intense afternoon sun?

Yes, there are several shrubs that can provide shade in areas with intense afternoon sun. Some of the best options include evergreen shrubs like boxwood, holly, and yew, as well as deciduous shrubs like hydrangea, butterfly bush, and ninebark. These shrubs are not only great for providing shade, but they also add beauty and interest to your landscape with their foliage and blooms. It's important to note that some shrubs may require more water and maintenance than others, so it's important to choose a plant that is well-suited to your specific climate and soil conditions. Additionally, it's a good idea to consider the mature size of the shrub to ensure that it won't outgrow its space and become a nuisance. With proper care and placement, shrubs can be an excellent way to add shade and beauty to your outdoor space.

How do I care for shrubs that are planted in areas with direct afternoon sun?

When it comes to caring for shrubs that are planted in areas with direct afternoon sun, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it's crucial to make sure that your shrubs are getting enough water. In hot, dry conditions, you may need to water your shrubs more frequently than you would in cooler, shadier areas. Additionally, you may want to consider providing some shade for your shrubs during the hottest parts of the day. This can be achieved through the use of shade cloth or other similar materials.

Another important factor to consider is soil quality. Shrubs planted in direct afternoon sun may be more susceptible to soil dryness, so it's important to ensure that your soil is well-drained and contains plenty of nutrients. You may also want to consider adding a layer of mulch around your shrubs to help retain moisture and protect the roots.

Finally, it's important to keep an eye out for any signs of stress or damage in your shrubs. This could include wilting, yellowing leaves, or other signs of dehydration. If you notice any of these symptoms, it's important to take action quickly to help prevent further damage. With proper care and attention, your shrubs can thrive even in areas with direct afternoon sun.

How do I choose shrubs that can tolerate hot afternoon sun?

Choosing shrubs that can tolerate hot afternoon sun requires careful consideration of several factors. First, you need to identify the specific area where the shrubs will be planted and the amount of sunlight that the area receives. Some shrubs are more tolerant of direct sunlight, while others require more shade.

Secondly, you need to consider the soil type and drainage in the area. Shrubs that require well-drained soil may not thrive in areas with poor drainage. Similarly, shrubs that prefer acidic soil may not do well in areas with alkaline soil.

Thirdly, you need to consider the size and growth rate of the shrubs. If you're planting in a small area, you'll want to choose shrubs that don't grow too large. Additionally, you'll want to choose shrubs that don't require excessive pruning to maintain their shape.

Finally, you should consider the overall aesthetic of the area where the shrubs will be planted. Choose shrubs that complement the existing landscape and add to the overall beauty of the area.

Overall, choosing shrubs that can tolerate hot afternoon sun requires careful consideration of several factors, including sunlight, soil type, growth rate, and aesthetics. By taking these factors into account, you can choose shrubs that will thrive in your specific area and add to the overall beauty of your landscape.

What are some low-maintenance shrubs for afternoon sun?

There are several low-maintenance shrubs that thrive in afternoon sun. One option is the dwarf bottlebrush, which produces bright red flowers and only needs occasional watering. Another option is the butterfly bush, which attracts butterflies and blooms in a range of colors. It requires minimal pruning and can tolerate drought conditions. The yucca plant is another low-maintenance shrub that can handle afternoon sun and requires very little watering. It also adds a unique architectural element to any landscape. Other options include the juniper, which is drought-tolerant and requires little maintenance, and the dwarf oleander, which produces vibrant flowers and can handle full sun exposure. When selecting low-maintenance shrubs for afternoon sun, it's important to consider the specific growing conditions of your area and select plants that are well-suited for the climate.

What are the best shrubs for afternoon sun exposure?

There are several shrubs that can thrive in afternoon sun exposure. One of the best options is the Butterfly Bush, which produces beautiful and fragrant flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds. Another great option is the Rose of Sharon, which is a hardy shrub that can bloom for several months during the summer. The Crape Myrtle is also a popular choice for its colorful blooms and ability to tolerate heat and drought. Other shrubs that can handle afternoon sun include the Japanese Barberry, which has attractive foliage and can act as a natural deterrent for pests, and the Spirea, which produces clusters of pink or white flowers. When selecting shrubs for afternoon sun exposure, it is important to also consider the soil type and drainage, as well as any potential pest or disease issues in your area.

Leave a Comment