Fast Growing Shade Tree Ideas for Cooler Backyard Living
We help you turn patios, decks, and play areas into cooler summer spaces with shade trees, shade perennials, ferns, and evergreen shrubs that fit real yards.
Color Ideas for Shady Backyard Living Spaces
- 25 Flowering Plants Collection includes 25 assorted bare-root perennials for zones 4-9
- Mixed spring bloom color helps flower beds look established while shade trees mature
- 15 Red White and Blue Perennials bloom in summer and grow in zones 3-9
- Sun-to-shade exposure makes the red, white, and blue package useful near patios with shifting light
- Both collections support flower garden planning with pollinator-friendly, long-returning perennials
Flowers That Grow in Shade and Fill Backyard Living Spaces
When you want color around patios, seating areas, and the edges beneath a fast growing shade tree, these four plant packages give you a practical mix of blooms, ground cover, and long-term structur...
Layer Color Under Evergreen Trees That Grow in Shade
When you plan backyard living spaces, shade needs more than a fast growing shade tree overhead. We pulled these four plant packages together because they help you fill the ground, edge patios, and ...
Color for Shaded Backyard Living Spaces
When you plant a fast growing shade tree, the space underneath can look bare for a few seasons. We fix that with bloom and texture at ground level. Our 25 Flowering Plants Collection and 10 Perennial Plants Package give you mixed-color perennials that fit real backyard living spaces, especially where patios, paths, and seating areas need softer edges.
What are the best fast growing shade tree to buy?
For backyard comfort, we think in layers. Trees create overhead cover, then perennials fill the lower view with color and movement. That is why these two perennial packages work so well near trees for outdoor living spaces.
Flowers that grow in shade
The 25 Flowering Plants Collection ships as 25 bare-root plants and grows in Zones 4-9. It handles full sun and partial shade, so it works well on the brighter edge of a shaded patio. You also get mixed bloom color, spring bloom season, and plants that attract butterflies, hummingbirds, and birds.
The 10 Perennial Plants Package is the tighter, simpler pick. It includes 10 bare-root perennial plants, also for Zones 4-9, and it thrives in full sun to partial shade. If you want to start small around a sitting area or walkway, this is the easier place to begin.
How to choose the right fast growing shade tree?
Once your tree plan is set, choose the planting package by coverage. The 25-plant collection fills wider beds faster. The 10-plant package suits smaller borders and budget-conscious refreshes.
- Choose the 25 Flowering Plants Collection if you want broader color spread in flower gardens and mixed-use beds.
- Choose the 10 Perennial Plants Package if you need a smaller planting count near patios or entry paths.
- Pick either one if deer pressure is a concern, since both include deer resistant varieties.
Full shade plants and planting tradeoffs
Keep this in mind: neither package is sold as a strict deep-shade solution. Both are strongest in partial shade, with the 25-plant collection also handling sunny spots. So if your seating area gets a few hours of light, these are a strong fit. If it stays dim all day, browse our Shade Perennials and Shade Ferns for more full shade plants and outdoor ferns for shade.
"A shaded yard feels finished when the ground layer has bloom, not just mulch."
And if you are mixing in flowering shrubs for shade or even looking into evergreen trees that grow in shade, these perennial packages help bridge the space while larger plants mature. That makes the whole backyard feel lived in sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant in summer, or should I wait for cooler weather?
Yes, you can plant in summer if you stay on top of watering. For quick color around a patio or under a fast growing shade tree, our 15 Red White and Blue Perennials (ID: 8319526273322) and 10 Perennial Plants Package (ID: 8062721261866) both ship bare-root and can be planted during the season. Keep the soil evenly moist while roots settle in. That first stretch matters most. If your yard gets hot afternoon sun, partial shade spots are easier on new plants.
Which plants work best if my yard has partial shade?
Our best fit here is the 10 Perennial Plants Package (ID: 8062721261866) because it is listed for full sun to partial shade and zones 4-9. The 25 Flowering Plants Collection (ID: 8062721458474) also suits partial shade and gives you 25 assorted plants, which helps if you are filling beds around trees for outdoor living spaces. Keep in mind, partial shade is not the same as deep shade. These are better for bright filtered light than dark corners.
Do you carry options for flowering shrubs for shade or other low-light landscape plants?
In this section, we are focusing on plant packages from our catalog rather than shrubs. For low-light landscape plants, the 10 Perennial Plants Package (ID: 8062721261866) and 15 Red White and Blue Perennials (ID: 8319526273322) are the clearest matches because both handle some shade. The red, white, and blue package is especially useful when you want mixed bloom color near seating areas. And if you are building small front yard landscaping ideas low maintenance, grouped perennials usually take less work than replanting annual color every year.
Which package is best if I want long-lasting summer color?
We would start with the 15 Red White and Blue Perennials (ID: 8319526273322). Its bloom season is listed as summer, and the package includes plants chosen for zones 3-9. That broad zone range helps many gardeners. If you are shopping for perennials for shade that bloom all summer, this is the closest fit in the featured group because it is built around summer color and sun-to-shade exposure. But look closely at your light. Four to six hours of sun is still the sweet spot.
Are any of these good for deer pressure and easy-care beds?
Yes. The 25 Flowering Plants Collection (ID: 8062721458474) includes deer resistant varieties, and the 15 Ground Cover Package (ID: 8062111973674) is also described as deer resistant. Ground covers are especially useful on slopes, path edges, and open spots under taller plantings. They stay under 12 inches at maturity, so they fill space without blocking sightlines. That makes them practical around patios and walkways.
How do your plants ship?
We ship all items by 3-4 day ground shipping, and these featured packages are marked Ships Now. The 15 Red White and Blue Perennials, 25 Flowering Plants Collection, 15 Ground Cover Package, and 10 Perennial Plants Package all ship bare-root. So, when your order arrives, plan to plant soon and water well after planting. If you have a zone question before ordering, email us at customerservice@tennesseewholesalenursery.com.
What should I know about returns, refunds, and warranty coverage?
We do not offer refunds, and we do not accept returns. We also do not offer a warranty on any product unless you purchase an extended warranty at the time of order. If there is a shipping issue, we can offer a reshipment in qualifying cases rather than a return. If you need help with an order, contact us at customerservice@tennesseewholesalenursery.com or write to Tennessee Wholesale Nursery, 12847 State Route 108, Altamont TN 37301, United States.
Pair Your Fast Growing Shade Tree With Lasting Color
Build a cooler backyard with our 25 Flowering Plants Collection, 15 Red White and Blue Perennials, 10 Perennial Plants Package, and 15 Ground Cover Package. These bare-root picks ship now, cover zo...
