Ideal Shade Trees & Shrubs
Posted on August 8, 2024
As we soak up the last of the warm days, it’s never too early to think ahead to the next enchanting season – fall.
Join Us for a Fall Garden Adventure!
We’re excited to invite you to our Fall Garden Horticulture Visits, where we’ll help you:
- Plan Your Perfect Fall Garden: Discover the best plants and designs to create a stunning autumn landscape. From vibrant mums to hardy ornamental grasses, we’ll guide you on selecting the perfect fall flora.
- Seasonal Care: Prepare your garden for the cooler months. We’ll take care of weeding, pruning, fertilizing and protecting your plants from the first frost.
- Garden Bed Installation & Renovation: Fall is the perfect time to revamp your garden beds. We offer installation and renovation services to bring fresh life to your outdoor space.
We are looking forward to seeing you this fall and helping you create a garden that’s as vibrant and inviting as the season itself.
Discover the Perfect Shade Trees and Shrubs for Your Ann Arbor Garden!
At Lotus, we are passionate about transforming outdoor spaces into serene, inviting havens. That’s why we’ve curated a list of 8 ideal shade trees and 6 stunning shrubs that are perfect for the Ann Arbor area.
| Name Of Plant | Tree Or Shrub? | Why It’s a Good Choice | Other Cool Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Maple (Acer rubrum) | Tree | Provides excellent shade and has vibrant fall colors | Tolerant to various soil types and urban conditions |
| Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) | Tree | Provides excellent shade and has vibrant fall colors | Attractive heart-shaped leaves and edible flowers |
Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) | Tree | Multi-season interest with flowers, berries, and foliage | Edible berries, great for wildlife, and orange/yellow fall color |
American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana) | Tree | Dense shade with attractive, smooth bark. holds copper colored leaves in winter | Tolerant of wet conditions if soil drains quickly and tolerant of urban air pollution stress |
| River Birch (Betula Nigra) | Tree | Full sun to part shade. Fast growing. | Beautiful exfoliating bark for all season interest. Soft yellow fall foliage |
| Elm (Ulmus americana) | Tree | New disease resistant varieties that grow quickly with strong wood. | Most have good yellow fall foliage. Some have red foliage in fall. |
| Oak Swamp White (Quercus Bicolor) | Tree | Strong grower that tolerates wet soil. | Provides food and shelter for wildlife Reddish brown fall color |
| Burr Oak (QUERCUS MACROCARPA) | Tree | Quintessential Ann Arbor tree. Moderate grower with heavy lobed leaves. Provides food and shelter for wildlife | Golden yellow/brass color in fall |
| Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) | Shrub | Fast growing flowering shrub for full to partial sun | Fragrant flowers late spring through first half of summer Good yellow fall color |
| Buttonbush (CEPHALANTHUS OCCIDENTALIS) | Shrub | Excellent shrub for wet spaces. Full sun to part shade | Summer born fragrant flowers are a butterfly favorite Nice clear yellow fall foliage |
Diervilla | Shrub | Great underutilized shrub for full sun to deep shade | Comes in many leaf colors ranging from lime green, orange, red to almost black. Flowers bloom for a long period in summer and are an important nectar plant. |
| Spring blooming Witch Hazel (Hamamelis vernalis) | Shrub | Early spring/late winter -blooming flowers and tolerates moderate shade | Unique, fragrant flowers. Good fall yellow color |
| Fall blooming Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) | Shrub | Fall-blooming flowers and tolerates moderate shade | Unique, fragrant flowers in late fall |
| Virginia Sweetspire (Itea virginica) | Shrub | Full sun to partial shade Nice dark green shiny leaves with summer blooming fragrant flowers. | Important nectar plant Great bright red fall foliage |
Why These Trees and Shrubs?
Each of the trees and shrubs on our list has been carefully selected for its unique benefits and suitability for our local climate. Whether you’re looking to create a lush canopy of shade, attract local wildlife, or add a splash of seasonal color, we’ve got you covered.
As the Chinese proverb goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.” Now is the perfect time to enrich your garden with the right trees and shrubs.
The Many Benefits of Shade Trees and Shrubs:
- Natural Cooling: Reduce energy costs by providing natural shade.
- Environmental Impact: Improve air quality and support local wildlife.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Add beauty and value to your property.
- Privacy: Create natural screens for more privacy.
If you have any questions or need personalized advice, our team is here to help!
Why Choose Lotus Gardenscapes?
With years of experience in landscape design, Lotus Gardenscapes is your go-to expert in the Ann Arbor area. Our team is dedicated to helping you choose the best plants that will thrive in your garden and enhance your outdoor living space.
Benefits of Shade Trees and Shrubs:
- Natural Cooling: Reduce energy costs by providing natural shade.
- Environmental Impact: Improve air quality and support local wildlife.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Add beauty and value to your property.
- Privacy: Create natural screens for more privacy.
As the Chinese proverb goes, “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today.” Now is the perfect time to enrich your garden with the right trees and shrubs.
Ready to start planting? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you create a beautiful, shaded garden in Ann Arbor.