Sun or Shade? Here’s How to Pick the Perfect Plants for Your Yard

In Memphis, where vibrant blooms and lush greenery are a signature of Southern charm, getting your landscape right starts with one simple factor: sunlight. Whether you're working with a sprawling backyard drenched in sunlight or a shaded patio nestled under mature trees, plant selection based on light exposure is essential for a healthy, stunning outdoor space.

At Charter Vista Landscaping, we believe that every yard—sunny or shady—can become a thriving oasis. With years of experience transforming properties across the Mid-South, our team brings design expertise, horticultural knowledge, and personalized care to every project. Here’s our expert guide to choosing the right plants for full sun, partial shade, and deep shade conditions.

☀️ Full Sun Plants: Create a Bright, Bold Landscape

Full sun doesn’t just mean more light—it means more blooming potential, faster growth, and greater curb appeal when designed well. These sunny spots are perfect for flowering shrubs, ornamental trees, and colorful groundcovers that soak up 6+ hours of sunlight daily.

Best Sun-Loving Shrubs:

• Azalea – Ideal for hedges and borders, they offer vibrant spring blooms and work well with acidic Memphis soils.
• Rose – A garden staple, with countless varieties available to suit both traditional and modern designs.
• Hydrangea (paniculata types) – These sun-friendly hydrangeas provide large, showy flower heads all summer.

Full-Sun Trees to Anchor Your Design:

• Arborvitae – Excellent for creating privacy screens, noise buffers, or windbreaks.
• Magnolia – A true Southern classic with glossy leaves and fragrant blossoms.
• Japanese Maple – Adds elegance and fiery color contrast, especially in fall.
• Redbud – One of the first trees to bloom in spring, with pink flowers and heart-shaped leaves.

Groundcovers & Perennials That Love the Heat:

• Daylily – Tough, colorful, and ideal for mass planting.
• Dwarf Mondo Grass – A low-maintenance, drought-tolerant edging plant.
• Daisy – Cheerful flowers that attract pollinators and brighten up borders.

Need help managing intense sunlight and dry soil? Our experts offer soil prep and irrigation services to give your sunny beds the best start possible.

🌤️ Part-Shade Plants: Thrive in Balance

Part-shade areas get around 3 to 6 hours of filtered or indirect sunlight. These in-between spaces are common in Memphis yards—think east-facing beds, spots under tall hardwoods, or areas beside structures.

Shrubs That Embrace Indirect Light:

• Camellia – A late fall to winter bloomer that brings color when few other plants do.
• Azalea & Hydrangea – Both perform well with morning sun and afternoon shade.

Trees That Fit the Bill:

• Maple (Acer species) – Versatile, providing dappled light below and dramatic fall foliage.
• Redbud – Works beautifully in partial sun, especially when planted on property edges.

Perennials & Groundcovers:

• Hosta – With lush foliage in countless shapes and colors, hostas are ideal under trees.
• Fern – Adds softness and a woodland feel to shaded pathways or beds.
• Vinca Minor & Dianthus – Groundcovers that bloom seasonally and suppress weeds.
• Dwarf Mondo Grass – A versatile performer across light conditions.

Pro tip: A layered planting strategy using part-shade plants can bridge full sun and full shade areas seamlessly, creating visual flow across your yard.

🌑 Full Shade Plants: Bring Beauty to the Dark Corners

Even areas with less than 3 hours of sun can host a vibrant garden. With the right plant choices, you can turn shadowy spots into some of the most lush and textural parts of your landscape.

Top Shade-Tolerant Shrubs:

• Aucuba – Known as the “Gold Dust” plant for its speckled leaves, it thrives in shade and adds bright green and yellow hues.
• Hydrangea (macrophylla) – Best in cooler, shaded areas where their color-changing blooms can really shine.
• Camellia & Azalea – Long-time Southern favorites that adapt well to shade.

Trees That Handle Shade:

• Dogwood – This native tree has spring blossoms and architectural branching perfect for shaded gardens.
• Laceleaf Japanese Maple – Adds sculptural beauty with finely cut foliage.

Groundcovers & Perennials:

• Lenten Rose (Hellebore) – One of the first flowers to bloom in winter/early spring.
• Astilbe – Feathery plumes in pink, white, and red that brighten up dark corners.
• Hosta & Ferns – Low-maintenance choices for covering ground and suppressing weeds.

Want to enhance shady areas even more? Ask us about low-voltage landscape lighting to illuminate paths, patios, and garden beds at night.

Why Choose Charter Vista for Your Memphis Landscaping Needs?

We’re more than just a landscaping company. At Charter Vista Landscaping, we provide full-service design, plant selection, installation, irrigation, and seasonal maintenance. Our team knows how to match your vision with the right plants for the light, soil, and space available.

Whether you need:

• A sunny backyard transformed into a colorful retreat
• A shaded entryway made vibrant with texture
• Low-maintenance plantings to increase your home’s value

…we have the experience and expertise to bring it to life.

Let's Talk About Your Yard

Looking for a personalized planting plan that thrives in your unique space? Let’s get started. Contact Charter Vista Landscaping, your trusted Memphis landscaping partner, and schedule a consultation today. We’ll help you select the right plants, install them with care, and ensure they thrive for years to come.