Can you recommend a small tree/shrub for a partially shaded area?

I want something about 2.5m high by 2m spread, preferably with early spring interest. - Faster growing (or cheaper) than a japanese maple, maybe like a Kilmarnock willow, but that doesn't like shade. I'd like to underplant with bulbs etc. so would prefer a tree to a shrub.

Can you recommend a small tree/shrub for a partially shaded area?
If you like cherry blossoms, I would recommend a dwarf weeping cherry tree.





They grow very slowly and look like small umbrella trees nearly and have cherry blossoms in early spring.





http://www.monrovia.com/plantinf.nsf/0/C...
Reply:Choiysia ternata,or any hebe.If you need it to grow particularly fast,then try lavatera rosea,it really needs a sunny spot,but l've grown it make times in shady conditions and it still flowers for 4 months.It will grow to the required height by the second summer and is cheap to buy.The other lavateras in the group will not be as good
Reply:An Azalea or Rhododendron would look nice underplanted with spring bulbs. The Rhododendron is seen at the beginning of this video. It's leaves stay evergreen, so it is still nice in the winter. Paper-white Birch, seen at the end of the video, is also great underplanted with spring Bulbs ... but is taller than the Rhododendrons %26amp; may be too tall for your needs.


Click on: 'Foliage and Texture Garden Design Ideas'


http://hcs.osu.edu/plantfacts/movies/lar...


They come in many colors:


http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/im...





The variegated Rhododendrons %26amp; Azaleas can add even more interest.


http://www.paghat.com/azaleasilversword....


http://www.pbase.com/image/42473004


http://www.azaleas.org/index.pl/azaleas....


http://www.floridata.com/ref/r/rhod_azal...


http://www.nyrhododendron.org/pages/arti...





You can click on individual shots of Azaleas through the webcam to get a close-up view.


http://www.rwnaf.org/cam/





You can pick Azaleas that bloom at different times in the spring, so you can have them bloom one after another. Early Season is February- March with secondary bloom in Fall


Mid-Season is March- April


Late-Season is April- May





List of Evergreen Azaleas:


http://sonomahort.com/azalea.htm





Good luck!!! Hope this helps.
Reply:I have 4 crepe myrtles and love them. They are lovely when in bloom, take sun and shade, and come in various colors and sizes. I underplant my one with low flowers and one of the other ones with a larger shrub. They bloom for over two months beginning in June, and come in pinks, purples and a lighter shade of red.


Good luck.
Reply:Japanese Spirea...gets about 3 to 4 ft tall...has nice pink flowers.


Hydrangea...Annebelle good variety...blooms a little later in year. I have tulips and dafodils mixed thru beds.


Azaleas are great...they bloom early and flowers come in mutlitude of colors.You can get smaller varieties that would fit that area good.


'P.J.M. Hybrid' Rhododendron..I have these growing on southwest corner of my house.Not the fastest growing but their flowering is spectacular.


Pink flowering almond...love mine...it's pink flowers are superb and flowers early.


Here is link with pictures of little bit larger flowering trees:


http://www.greenwoodnursery.com/167?Curr...


more shrubs:


http://www.greenwoodnursery.com/page.cfm...


http://springhillnursery.com/category.as...





Hope this helps...good luck!
Reply:snowbell,dogwood,redbud,silverbell