The best varieties of honeysuckle for shade are typically shrub based species which are varieties that are low growing and produce a minimum amount of flowers. Their foliage remains dark through the spring and summer months, and often lightens to fall hues as temperatures begin to cool. Creeping honeysuckle prefer full sunlight, and generally do not flourish in shady areas.
There are multiple varieties of honeysuckle from which a gardener can choose to plant in any area of the yard. This type of plant is typically divided into two primary categories which include climbing vines and low shrubs. All species tend to produce a trumpet shaped flower that typically displays yellow or white blossoms. This flower is fragrant and contains a small amount of nectar in the base of the trumpet portion of the bud. Honeysuckle plants can attract butterflies, bees, and small birds during the spring and summer months with its unique features.
The dwarf bush honeysuckle is one of the most commonly found varieties of shrub growing honeysuckles. This bush grows quickly and spreads outward, only reaching a height of between 1 to 2 feet (30.5 centimeters to 61 centimeters). It tends to blossom in the spring and early summer months, and its naturally green foliage turns to light shades of orange and russet with the onset of fall. This shrub makes an excellent species of honeysuckle for shade because it can be planted in darker areas of the garden, and prefers dry, well drained soil. The roots of this plant delve deep into the soil and hold fast, making it a frequent choice as a soil retainer on embankments which are located beneath shade.
The edmee gold variety of honeysuckle for shade produces equally stunning foliage and sweet, fragrant blossoms. This variety of plant maintains a free growing form of spreading branches and leaves, that resemble fern fronds in structure. These leaves tend to be yellow and gold in color, and are augmented by buttery white flowers during spring and summer months. This type of plant is often used to add color to a garden in shade areas, such as beneath trees and tall hedges.
The lemon beauty honeysuckle is one of the few varieties of this plant this remains evergreen year round. This plant is so named for the thin, light yellow border which surrounds each dark green leaf. Like the edmee gold, the shape of this shrub is free in form and its branching leaves resemble fern fronds. It produces yellow and white flowers in late spring which turn to dark colored berries as the heat increases. To use this type of honeysuckle for shade loving areas of the yard, gardeners typically plant it in a border where year round color is desired. It can benefit from exposure to morning sun, though it should be thoroughly protected from mid-morning and afternoon sun, which can scald the leaves.
Most types of vining honeysuckle are not suitable for shade. These species produce the largest percentage of flowers, when compared with their shrub grown cousins. These plants do, however, enjoy rooting in shady areas. Gardeners who desire the bright blossoms and intense fragrance of creeping vine honeysuckles can plant these in shade covered areas where the vine has the potential to grow into the sun. Lattices, trellises, and other garden items can be provided nearby for this purpose, and new growth should be gently entwined around these objects to encourage the plant as it grows.