Taller shrubs for a mostly shady area

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crabbygardener Durham, NC Feb 09, 2014

Hi there! I live in Durham, NC and have an area in my back yard (and neighboring yards) with mostly pine trees, so it doesn't get much direct sunlight. I want to plant some taller evergreen shrubs along the fence for privacy, but of course, they need to be able to grow (preferably quickly) in the shade. I'm hoping for suggestions for plantings if possible. I also have come across a few options that I have questions about.

According to lowes.com/plants, Florida Leucothoe (Leucothoe populifolia, aka Agarista populifolia, aka Florida Hobblebush, aka Tall Fetterbush aka Pipestem) fits the bill: http://www.lowes.com/cd_Lowes+Plant+Guide_253427968_?url=plant.aspx?code=l10116 It grows to 10 feet high in the shade and apparently grows pretty fast.

A few sites agree with this information...

http://www.floridata.com/ref/a/agar_pop.cfm
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=AGPO2
http://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/all/agarista-populifolia/

...but other sites have conflicting information:

http://97.67.50.31/resources/wildlifehabitats/agaristapopulifolia.html -- slow growth
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/64852/ -- much smaller size, growth in sun rather than shade
http://www.onlineplantguide.com/Plant-Details/87/ -- sun/part sun
http://magnoliagardensnursery.com/plants/leucothoe-agarista-populifolia-florida-leucothoe/ -- sun/part shade

Any insight? Any experience with this plant?

I'm also considering Aucuba japonica, but I'm not as enthusiastic about it. Also doesn't seem to grow as tall.

Any other ideas for plants that would fit the bill?

Thanks in advance for your help!

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