Chartreuse is a combination of green and yellow, a luminous pairing that elicits visual excitement and commands attention. This fresh color evokes the feeling of spring and renewal. Many varieties of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annual plants have chartreuse foliage or flowers. One of the most dynamic colors in the landscape, chartreuse pairs well with most other colors. Chartreuse plants can be used in many ways, from brightening up shady spots, to creating repetition in beds and borders.
There are different shades of chartreuse, from nearly gold to pale green. Hues on the yellow end of the color spectrum are brighter and more attention-grabbing, while tones of chartreuse that tend towards cooler shades of green are more subdued. Chartreuse coloring is generally more vivid in full sun than shade. Proper plant placement is essential. Some plants may experience leaf scald with too much sun, while coloring can fade with too little light.
Here are some of the best chartreuse color plants to grow, and how to use them in your yard.
Plant type: Perennial Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Partial shade to shade Habit: Upright bushy habit Height/Spread: 2-1/2 to 3 feet tall and wide Bloom time: Summer
Aralia ‘Sun King’ is an herbaceous perennial with a shrubby habit and large gold or chartreuse leaves that lend a tropical appearance. These chartreuse plants are more intensely gold in brighter areas, or chartreuse in shade. Pair with other shade lovers such as hosta, coral bells, and ferns, and provide moist, well-draining soil.
Gold Heart — Buy now from Proven Winners (Lamprocapnos spectabilis syn. Dicentra spectabilis)
Plant type: Perennial Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Partial shade to shade Habit: Upright arching habit Height/Spread: 18 to 24 inches tall, 24 to 36 inches wide Bloom time: Spring
Bleeding heart is a hardy perennial with ferny foliage and charming heart-shaped flowers. ‘Gold Heart’ produces brilliant chartreuse-gold leaves that contrast dramatically with the bright pink flowers. Use to brighten up a woodland landscape or shade border alongside astilbe, brunnera, hosta, and primrose. Find more on how to grow bleeding heart plants.
Plant type: Tender perennial Zones: 10-11, most often grown as an annual Exposure: Sun to shade Habit: Mounding bushy habit Height/Spread: 20 to 40 inches tall, 18 to 30 inches wide Bloom time: Summer; grown for foliage
This popular tender perennial, grown for the showy foliage, comes in an array of colors and patterns. Color Blaze® Lime Time® produces brilliant lime-green leaves that brighten up shady borders and containers. Pair with other coleus with complementary pink or burgundy foliage, or use as a filler element in a container alongside purple sweet potato vine and caladium for a tropical look. Find more on how to grow coleus plants.
Plant type: Perennial Zones: 4-9 Exposure: Partial shade to shade Habit: Compact mounding habit Height/Spread: 10 to 12 inches tall, 24 to 28 inches wide Bloom time: Mid-summer
Grown for the showy foliage, Heuchera come in a wide range of leaf colors and shapes. Dressed Up® ‘Ball Gown’ produces ruffly chartreuse leaves on compact clumping plants. Use this versatile perennial in mixed borders, mass plantings, or containers. Combine this chartreuse variety with blue-flowered ‘Jack Frost’ brunnera and ‘Black Scallop’ bugleweed for stunning contrast. Find more on how to grow coral bells plants.
Plant type: Deciduous shrub Zones: 5-8 Exposure: Full sun to partial sun Habit: Compact bushy habit Height/Spread: 20 to 36 inches tall and wide Bloom time: Spring
Deutzia is a deciduous shrub with attractive serrated foliage, bell-shaped flowers, and fall color, adding multi-seasonal interest to the landscape. The bright chartreuse-green foliage of Chardonnay Pearls® is useful for brightening up semi-shaded areas. Pair with complementary colored shrubs such Coppertina® ninebark or Winecraft Black® smoke bush for a compelling display. Find more on how to grow deutzia.
Plant type: Deciduous shrub Zones: 4-7 Exposure: Full sun to partial sun Habit: Upright bushy habit Height/Spread: 4 to 7 feet tall and wide Bloom time: Late spring
Elderberry lends multi-seasonal appeal to the landscape, with ferny foliage, flat-topped flowers, and brightly colored berries. Lemony Lace® elderberry produces deeply dissected leaves in shades of bright gold edged with red, shifting to chartreuse with age. Use as a background plant to brighten up a mixed border or native landscape. Find more on how to grow elderberry.
Plant type: Tender perennial, usually grown as an annual Zones: 8-11 Exposure: Sun to shade Habit: Upright vase-shaped habit Height/Spread: 24 to 40 inches tall, 12 to 18 inches wide Bloom time: Grown for foliage
This bulbous tender perennial is grown for the huge heart-shaped foliage resembling elephant ears, adding bold tropical appeal to borders and containers. The chartreuse-green leaves of Royal Hawaiian ‘Maui Gold’ can be paired with purple-leafed elephant ear such as ‘Illustris’ or ‘Tea Party’ for dramatic contrast. Plant near a water feature, in a tropical-themed border, or container. Find more on growing elephant ear plants.
Plant type: Perennial Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Partial shade to shade Habit: Mounding spreading habit Height/Spread: 19 inches tall, 42 to 48 inches wide Bloom time: Mid-summer
Grown for the showy leaves, Hosta come in a wide range of sizes, foliage colors and shapes. This hardy perennial makes a versatile addition to beds, containers, and mixed borders. The bright chartreuse-yellow foliage of Shadowland® ‘Echo the Sun’ pairs well with other shade lovers such as Japanese painted fern, Dolce® ‘Cherry Truffles’ coral bells, and purple-leafed ‘Othello’ ligularia. Find more on growing hosta plants.
Plant type: Perennial Zones: 5-9 Exposure: Partial to full shade Habit: Mounding arching habit Height/Spread: 9 to 14 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide Bloom time: Grown for foliage
Japanese forest grass is one of the few ornamental grasses that thrives in shade. ‘All Gold’ has bright chartreuse foliage and an elegant cascading habit. Use this herbaceous perennial in a woodland border or Asian-style landscape. ‘All Gold’ pairs well with blue flowered ‘Heaven Scent’ Jacob’s ladder, purple foliaged Dolce® ‘Wildberry’ coral bells, or black mondo grass. Find more on growing Japanese forest grass.
Plant type: Evergreen shrub Zones: 5-9 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Compact bushy habit Height/Spread: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide Bloom time: Grown for foliage
Japanese holly is an evergreen shrub with small leaves and a dense, structural habit that is often used as a substitute for boxwood. Glow Pop® is a dwarf variety with bright lime-green coloring and a compact habit. Use to add contrast to mass plantings and mixed borders, or as edging for pathways and beds. Find more on how to grow holly bushes.
Plant type: Deciduous tree Zones: 5-7 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright vase-shaped habit Height/Spread: 15 to 20 feet tall and wide Bloom time: Spring; flowers are inconspicuous
One of the most popular landscape trees, Japanese maples come in a wide array of sizes, shapes and foliage colors. The fan-shaped leaves of ‘Aureum’ emerge bright yellow in spring, fading to chartreuse in summer, before turning brilliant shades of orange and red in fall. Showcase as a focal point in a woodland shade border or Asian-style garden. Find more on growing Japanese maple trees.
Plant type: Perennial Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Mounding spreading habit Height/Spread: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide Bloom time: Late spring to early fall
Lady’s mantle is a cottage garden favorite, with scalloped foliage and loose clusters of bright yellow-green flowers. This low-maintenance perennial is versatile as edging along pathways and borders, in mass plantings, and containers. Combine with purple allium, pink roses, or blue veronica for complementary contrast.
Plant type: Evergreen tree Zones: 7-10 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright pyramidal habit Height/Spread: 8 to 10 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
Lemon cypress is an evergreen conifer commonly sold as a potted tree during the holidays. The chartreuse-yellow needles exude a lemony scent. This decorative tree can be grown indoors as a houseplant, or outside in containers. In colder regions, plants will need to be overwintered indoors. Showcase in a houseplant display, or in a decorative container outdoors.
Plant type: Deciduous tree Zones: 5-9 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright spreading habit Height/Spread: 20 to 25 feet tall, 18 feet wide
Eastern redbud is a popular deciduous tree with prolific clusters of rose-purple flowers and attractive heart-shaped leaves. ‘Hearts of Gold’ produces orange-red new growth that changes to bright gold, fading to chartreuse in summer. Use as a stunning focal point in a mixed border or woodland setting. Learn more about how to grow redbud trees.
Plant type: Tender perennial, usually grown as an annual Zones: 8-11 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright habit Height/Spread: 3 to 4 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide Bloom time: Late summer to fall
This shrubby perennial adds late-season color to the landscape, with tubular flowers and scented foliage. The vivid golden-chartreuse foliage of ‘Golden Delicious’ contrasts dramatically with the lipstick-red blooms. Combine in a fall border with purple aster, Russian sage, or ‘Black and Blue’ salvia. Find more on how to grow salvia plants.
Plant type: Perennial Zones: 7-11 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Low compact habit Height/Spread: 3 to 10 inches tall, 10 to 14 inches wide Bloom time: Grown for foliage
Sedum is a perennial succulent with fleshy leaves that adds late season color to the landscape. Lemon Coral® has a trailing habit that is grown for the spiky golden-chartreuse foliage. Use this drought-tolerant ground cover to brighten containers, rock gardens, or as edging. Find more on how to grow sedum plants.
Plant type: Deciduous shrub Zones: 5-8 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright bushy habit Height/Spread: 4 to 6 feet tall and wide Bloom time: Summer
This low-maintenance deciduous shrub is grown for the colorful leaves and long-lasting flower panicles with a hazy, smoke-like appearance. Winecraft Gold® has foliage that emerges orange, fading to gold before maturing to chartreuse. Combine with complementary-colored shrubs such as ‘Midnight Wine’ weigela, Sunjoy Todo® barberry, or Summer Wine® ninebark. Find more on how to grow smokebush.
Plant type: Deciduous shrub Zones: 4-8 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Compact bushy habit Height/Spread: 18 to 24 inches tall, 18 to 30 inches wide Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Spirea is a popular deciduous shrub with colorful leaves, long-lasting flower clusters, and fall foliage for multi-seasonal interest. Virtually carefree, spirea is versatile in borders, mass plantings, or as hedging. Double Play® Candy Corn® has new red foliage that fades to chartreuse-yellow, with bright pink flowers for stunning contrast. Learn more about how to grow spirea.
Plant type: Annual vine Zones: 11; grown as an annual Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Vining habit Height/Spread: 6 to 16 inches tall, 20 to 36 inches wide Bloom time: Grown for foliage
Sweet potato vine is an annual grown for the colorful vining foliage that lends tropical appeal to containers, hanging baskets, and mass plantings. ‘Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Lime’ is a chartreuse variety with heart-shaped leaves and a vigorous growth habit. Use in combination with lantana, petunias, coleus, or verbena. Learn more about how to grow sweet potato vine.
Plant type: Annual Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright habit Height/Spread: 24 to 30 inches tall, 12 to 14 inches wide Bloom time: Summer to fall
Zinnia is a beloved warm-season annual, with prolific multi-petaled blooms in an array of colors. ’Green Envy’ produces 3-inch chartreuse-green flowers that pair well with most other hues. Use this versatile variety in a cottage-style border, container, or cutting garden. Learn more about how to grow zinnias.
A splash of lime green can really make a garden pop. The refreshing, vibrant hue stands out against darker foliage and acts as a lively complement to brightly colored flowers. If you’re looking to inject some zing into your outdoor space, consider adding full sun lime green shrubs. With the right plant picks, you can enjoy lively lime foliage that thrives in sunny exposure.
Why Go For Lime Green Shrubs?
Before diving into specific plant recommendations let’s look at why lime green shrubs are such a great choice
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They add striking color. Lime green is inherently eye-catching. It provides unique visual interest and helps lighter, brighter plants stand out.
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They make other colors “pop” Lime green shrubs look fantastic alongside plants with darker greens, lavenders, pinks, reds, and other bold hues The lime makes a lively complement.
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They brighten shady spots. While we’re focusing on full sun options here lime shrubs can also illuminate darkened areas that get only partial sun. Their bright color lightens up the space.
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They provide year-round color. Many lime green shrubs hold their verdant tones throughout the seasons, offering persistent color when flowers fade away.
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They’re versatile. Lime green shrubs come in many sizes and growth habits – there’s an option for nearly any garden use.
Factors To Consider
Before picking your full sun lime green shrubs, keep the following factors in mind:
Sun Exposure – Make sure to choose varieties that specifically thrive in full sun – at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Morning sun is especially important.
Soil Conditions – Check that the lime green shrubs you select will grow well in your native soil. Amend if needed to match ideal drainage and pH levels.
Size – Consider the mature size of the shrubs and allow adequate space in your landscape design. Give them room to reach their full potential.
Plant Uses – Decide how you want to utilize the shrubs, whether as specimens, hedges, foundation plants, or in mixed borders. This will help guide your selections.
Hardiness Zone – Ensure the shrubs are suited for your USDA plant hardiness zone so they’ll withstand your regional climate extremes.
Top Picks: 10 Full Sun Lime Green Shrubs
Now let’s look at some excellent evergreen and deciduous options for incorporating vivid lime green shrubs into sunny garden beds, borders, and more.
1. Japanese Holly Fern ‘Shamrock’
This compact, mounding shrub grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide. Its feathery, fern-like foliage emerges a striking lime green before maturing to darker green. Thrives in full sun and is hardy in zones 6-9.
2. Copperleaf
A tropical-looking choice growing 6 to 10 feet tall. Has large, shiny leaves that are brilliant lime green when new, turning coppery later on. Hardy in zones 9-11.
3. Variegated Mock Orange ‘Citrina’
A medium-sized deciduous shrub reaching 4 to 6 feet. Has light green and yellow variegated leaves with a citrusy fragrance. White spring flowers. For zones 4-8.
4. Golden Privet
This fast-growing shrub has arching lime green leaves with bright yellow edges. Grows 10 to 15 feet tall. Makes a bold hedge or screen. Hardy in zones 6-10.
5. Heavenly Bamboo ‘Lemon Lime’
A compact nandina cultivar topping out around 2 to 3 feet. Has neon yellow and lime green foliage that brightens shade. Zones 6-9.
6. Goldflame Honeysuckle
Vigorous vining shrub with dark green and gold variegated leaves. Blooms with red-orange flowers. Grows 10 to 20 feet long. For zones 4-8.
7. Citronelle Camellia
A lime-colored camellia! Has glossy, lime green leaves and blooms with white flowers in late winter. Grows to 6 feet tall. For zones 7-9.
8. Rosemary ‘Lime’
A fragrant herb with needles of lime green and gray-green variegation. Grows to 3 feet tall. Thrives in zones 5-10.
9. Carissa Macrocarpa ‘Lime Time’
A spiny, dense shrub with tiny leaves of bright lime green. Grows to 5 feet tall and wide. Hardy in zones 9-11.
10. Lime Glow Barberry
A compact deciduous shrub growing 3 to 4 feet tall. Has neon yellow foliage that intensifies into summer. For zones 4-8.
Incorporate Lime Green Shrubs Into Your Sunny Garden
Now that you’ve seen some splendid options, it’s time to envision how you can best incorporate lime green shrubs into your own landscape.
Use them to provide a pop of color in borders and beds, integrating them with darker greens, pastels, and other hues. Plant them as focal points or specimens to make them stand out. Try them in groupings or clusters for maximum impact. Lime green hedges and screens can also be striking.
By thoughtfully selecting varieties suited to your climate and growing conditions, you’re sure to have great success adding lively lime green shrubs to your full sun garden areas. They’ll light up your garden with their radiant color!
Planting DesignDiscover the right plants for your garden.
Chartreuse is a combination of green and yellow, a luminous pairing that elicits visual excitement and commands attention. This fresh color evokes the feeling of spring and renewal. Many varieties of trees, shrubs, perennials, and annual plants have chartreuse foliage or flowers. One of the most dynamic colors in the landscape, chartreuse pairs well with most other colors. Chartreuse plants can be used in many ways, from brightening up shady spots, to creating repetition in beds and borders.
There are different shades of chartreuse, from nearly gold to pale green. Hues on the yellow end of the color spectrum are brighter and more attention-grabbing, while tones of chartreuse that tend towards cooler shades of green are more subdued. Chartreuse coloring is generally more vivid in full sun than shade. Proper plant placement is essential. Some plants may experience leaf scald with too much sun, while coloring can fade with too little light.
Here are some of the best chartreuse color plants to grow, and how to use them in your yard.
Sun King aralia. Photo by: Proven Winners
Sun King aralia — Buy now from Proven Winners (Aralia cordata)
Plant type: Perennial Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Partial shade to shade Habit: Upright bushy habit Height/Spread: 2-1/2 to 3 feet tall and wide Bloom time: Summer
Aralia ‘Sun King’ is an herbaceous perennial with a shrubby habit and large gold or chartreuse leaves that lend a tropical appearance. These chartreuse plants are more intensely gold in brighter areas, or chartreuse in shade. Pair with other shade lovers such as hosta, coral bells, and ferns, and provide moist, well-draining soil.
Gold Heart old-fashioned bleeding heart. Photo by: Proven Winners
Gold Heart — Buy now from Proven Winners (Lamprocapnos spectabilis syn. Dicentra spectabilis)
Plant type: Perennial Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Partial shade to shade Habit: Upright arching habit Height/Spread: 18 to 24 inches tall, 24 to 36 inches wide Bloom time: Spring
Bleeding heart is a hardy perennial with ferny foliage and charming heart-shaped flowers. ‘Gold Heart’ produces brilliant chartreuse-gold leaves that contrast dramatically with the bright pink flowers. Use to brighten up a woodland landscape or shade border alongside astilbe, brunnera, hosta, and primrose. Find more on how to grow bleeding heart plants.
ColorBlaze® Lime Time® coleus. Photo by Proven Winners
ColorBlaze® Lime Time® — Buy now from Proven Winners (Coleus scutellarioides)
Plant type: Tender perennial Zones: 10-11, most often grown as an annual Exposure: Sun to shade Habit: Mounding bushy habit Height/Spread: 20 to 40 inches tall, 18 to 30 inches wide Bloom time: Summer; grown for foliage
This popular tender perennial, grown for the showy foliage, comes in an array of colors and patterns. Color Blaze® Lime Time® produces brilliant lime-green leaves that brighten up shady borders and containers. Pair with other coleus with complementary pink or burgundy foliage, or use as a filler element in a container alongside purple sweet potato vine and caladium for a tropical look. Find more on how to grow coleus plants.
Dressed Up® Ball Gown coral bells. Photo by Proven Winners
Dressed Up® Ball Gown — Buy now from Proven Winners (Heuchera hybrid)
Plant type: Perennial Zones: 4-9 Exposure: Partial shade to shade Habit: Compact mounding habit Height/Spread: 10 to 12 inches tall, 24 to 28 inches wide Bloom time: Mid-summer
Grown for the showy foliage, Heuchera come in a wide range of leaf colors and shapes. Dressed Up® ‘Ball Gown’ produces ruffly chartreuse leaves on compact clumping plants. Use this versatile perennial in mixed borders, mass plantings, or containers. Combine this chartreuse variety with blue-flowered ‘Jack Frost’ brunnera and ‘Black Scallop’ bugleweed for stunning contrast. Find more on how to grow coral bells plants.
Chardonnay Pearls® deutzia. Photo by Proven Winners
Chardonnay Pearls® — Buy now from Proven Winners (Deutzia gracilis)
Plant type: Deciduous shrub Zones: 5-8 Exposure: Full sun to partial sun Habit: Compact bushy habit Height/Spread: 20 to 36 inches tall and wide Bloom time: Spring
Deutzia is a deciduous shrub with attractive serrated foliage, bell-shaped flowers, and fall color, adding multi-seasonal interest to the landscape. The bright chartreuse-green foliage of Chardonnay Pearls® is useful for brightening up semi-shaded areas. Pair with complementary colored shrubs such Coppertina® ninebark or Winecraft Black® smoke bush for a compelling display. Find more on how to grow deutzia.
Lemony Lace® elderberry. Photo by Proven Winners
Lemony Lace® — Buy now from Proven Winners (Sambucus racemosa)
Plant type: Deciduous shrub Zones: 4-7 Exposure: Full sun to partial sun Habit: Upright bushy habit Height/Spread: 4 to 7 feet tall and wide Bloom time: Late spring
Elderberry lends multi-seasonal appeal to the landscape, with ferny foliage, flat-topped flowers, and brightly colored berries. Lemony Lace® elderberry produces deeply dissected leaves in shades of bright gold edged with red, shifting to chartreuse with age. Use as a background plant to brighten up a mixed border or native landscape. Find more on how to grow elderberry.
Royal Hawaiian® Maui Gold elephant ear. Photo by Proven Winners
Royal Hawaiian® Maui Gold (Colocasia esculenta)
Plant type: Tender perennial, usually grown as an annual Zones: 8-11 Exposure: Sun to shade Habit: Upright vase-shaped habit Height/Spread: 24 to 40 inches tall, 12 to 18 inches wide Bloom time: Grown for foliage
This bulbous tender perennial is grown for the huge heart-shaped foliage resembling elephant ears, adding bold tropical appeal to borders and containers. The chartreuse-green leaves of Royal Hawaiian ‘Maui Gold’ can be paired with purple-leafed elephant ear such as ‘Illustris’ or ‘Tea Party’ for dramatic contrast. Plant near a water feature, in a tropical-themed border, or container. Find more on growing elephant ear plants.
Shadowland® Echo the Sun hosta. Photo by Proven Winners
Shadowland® Echo the Sun — Buy now from Proven Winners (Hosta hybrid)
Plant type: Perennial Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Partial shade to shade Habit: Mounding spreading habit Height/Spread: 19 inches tall, 42 to 48 inches wide Bloom time: Mid-summer
Grown for the showy leaves, Hosta come in a wide range of sizes, foliage colors and shapes. This hardy perennial makes a versatile addition to beds, containers, and mixed borders. The bright chartreuse-yellow foliage of Shadowland® ‘Echo the Sun’ pairs well with other shade lovers such as Japanese painted fern, Dolce® ‘Cherry Truffles’ coral bells, and purple-leafed ‘Othello’ ligularia. Find more on growing hosta plants.
All Gold Japanese forest grass. Photo by Proven Winners
Plant type: Perennial Zones: 5-9 Exposure: Partial to full shade Habit: Mounding arching habit Height/Spread: 9 to 14 inches tall, 18 to 24 inches wide Bloom time: Grown for foliage
Japanese forest grass is one of the few ornamental grasses that thrives in shade. ‘All Gold’ has bright chartreuse foliage and an elegant cascading habit. Use this herbaceous perennial in a woodland border or Asian-style landscape. ‘All Gold’ pairs well with blue flowered ‘Heaven Scent’ Jacob’s ladder, purple foliaged Dolce® ‘Wildberry’ coral bells, or black mondo grass. Find more on growing Japanese forest grass.
Glow Pop® Japanese holly. Photo by Proven Winners
Glow Pop® — Buy now from Proven Winners (Ilex crenata)
Plant type: Evergreen shrub Zones: 5-9 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Compact bushy habit Height/Spread: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide Bloom time: Grown for foliage
Japanese holly is an evergreen shrub with small leaves and a dense, structural habit that is often used as a substitute for boxwood. Glow Pop® is a dwarf variety with bright lime-green coloring and a compact habit. Use to add contrast to mass plantings and mixed borders, or as edging for pathways and beds. Find more on how to grow holly bushes.
Aureum, syn. Golden Full Moon Maple. Photo by Marianne Majerus
Aureum, syn. Golden Full Moon Maple (Acer shirasawanum)
Plant type: Deciduous tree Zones: 5-7 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright vase-shaped habit Height/Spread: 15 to 20 feet tall and wide Bloom time: Spring; flowers are inconspicuous
One of the most popular landscape trees, Japanese maples come in a wide array of sizes, shapes and foliage colors. The fan-shaped leaves of ‘Aureum’ emerge bright yellow in spring, fading to chartreuse in summer, before turning brilliant shades of orange and red in fall. Showcase as a focal point in a woodland shade border or Asian-style garden. Find more on growing Japanese maple trees.
Ladys mantle. Photo by Janet Loughrey
Plant type: Perennial Zones: 3-9 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Mounding spreading habit Height/Spread: 1 to 2 feet tall and wide Bloom time: Late spring to early fall
Lady’s mantle is a cottage garden favorite, with scalloped foliage and loose clusters of bright yellow-green flowers. This low-maintenance perennial is versatile as edging along pathways and borders, in mass plantings, and containers. Combine with purple allium, pink roses, or blue veronica for complementary contrast.
Goldcrest lemon cypress. Photo by knelson20 / Shutterstock
Goldcrest (Cupressus macrocarpa)
Plant type: Evergreen tree Zones: 7-10 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright pyramidal habit Height/Spread: 8 to 10 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide
Lemon cypress is an evergreen conifer commonly sold as a potted tree during the holidays. The chartreuse-yellow needles exude a lemony scent. This decorative tree can be grown indoors as a houseplant, or outside in containers. In colder regions, plants will need to be overwintered indoors. Showcase in a houseplant display, or in a decorative container outdoors.
Hearts of Gold Eastern redbud. Photo by Paul S. Drobot / Millette Photomedia
Hearts of Gold (Cercis canadensis)
Plant type: Deciduous tree Zones: 5-9 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright spreading habit Height/Spread: 20 to 25 feet tall, 18 feet wide
Eastern redbud is a popular deciduous tree with prolific clusters of rose-purple flowers and attractive heart-shaped leaves. ‘Hearts of Gold’ produces orange-red new growth that changes to bright gold, fading to chartreuse in summer. Use as a stunning focal point in a mixed border or woodland setting. Learn more about how to grow redbud trees.
Golden Delicious pineapple sage. Photo by Proven Winners
Golden Delicious pineapple sage — Buy now from Proven Winners (Salvia elegans)
Plant type: Tender perennial, usually grown as an annual Zones: 8-11 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright habit Height/Spread: 3 to 4 feet tall, 2 to 3 feet wide Bloom time: Late summer to fall
This shrubby perennial adds late-season color to the landscape, with tubular flowers and scented foliage. The vivid golden-chartreuse foliage of ‘Golden Delicious’ contrasts dramatically with the lipstick-red blooms. Combine in a fall border with purple aster, Russian sage, or ‘Black and Blue’ salvia. Find more on how to grow salvia plants.
Lemon Coral® sedum. Photo by Proven Winners
Lemon Coral® — Buy now from Proven Winners (Sedum mexicanum)
Plant type: Perennial Zones: 7-11 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Low compact habit Height/Spread: 3 to 10 inches tall, 10 to 14 inches wide Bloom time: Grown for foliage
Sedum is a perennial succulent with fleshy leaves that adds late season color to the landscape. Lemon Coral® has a trailing habit that is grown for the spiky golden-chartreuse foliage. Use this drought-tolerant ground cover to brighten containers, rock gardens, or as edging. Find more on how to grow sedum plants.
Winecraft Gold® smokebush. Photo by Proven Winners
Winecraft Gold® — Buy now from Proven Winners (Cotinus coggygria)
Plant type: Deciduous shrub Zones: 5-8 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright bushy habit Height/Spread: 4 to 6 feet tall and wide Bloom time: Summer
This low-maintenance deciduous shrub is grown for the colorful leaves and long-lasting flower panicles with a hazy, smoke-like appearance. Winecraft Gold® has foliage that emerges orange, fading to gold before maturing to chartreuse. Combine with complementary-colored shrubs such as ‘Midnight Wine’ weigela, Sunjoy Todo® barberry, or Summer Wine® ninebark. Find more on how to grow smokebush.
Double Play® Candy Corn® spirea. Photo by Proven Winners
Double Play® Candy Corn® — Buy now from Proven Winners (Spiraea japonica)
Plant type: Deciduous shrub Zones: 4-8 Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Compact bushy habit Height/Spread: 18 to 24 inches tall, 18 to 30 inches wide Bloom time: Late spring to early summer
Spirea is a popular deciduous shrub with colorful leaves, long-lasting flower clusters, and fall foliage for multi-seasonal interest. Virtually carefree, spirea is versatile in borders, mass plantings, or as hedging. Double Play® Candy Corn® has new red foliage that fades to chartreuse-yellow, with bright pink flowers for stunning contrast. Learn more about how to grow spirea.
Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Lime sweet potato vine. Photo by Proven Winners
Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Lime — Buy now from Proven Winners (Ipomoea hybrid)
Plant type: Annual vine Zones: 11; grown as an annual Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Vining habit Height/Spread: 6 to 16 inches tall, 20 to 36 inches wide Bloom time: Grown for foliage
Sweet potato vine is an annual grown for the colorful vining foliage that lends tropical appeal to containers, hanging baskets, and mass plantings. ‘Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Lime’ is a chartreuse variety with heart-shaped leaves and a vigorous growth habit. Use in combination with lantana, petunias, coleus, or verbena. Learn more about how to grow sweet potato vine.
Green Envy zinnia. Photo by Janet Loughrey
Green Envy (Zinnia elegans)
Plant type: Annual Exposure: Full sun to partial shade Habit: Upright habit Height/Spread: 24 to 30 inches tall, 12 to 14 inches wide Bloom time: Summer to fall
Zinnia is a beloved warm-season annual, with prolific multi-petaled blooms in an array of colors. ’Green Envy’ produces 3-inch chartreuse-green flowers that pair well with most other hues. Use this versatile variety in a cottage-style border, container, or cutting garden. Learn more about how to grow zinnias.
Top 10 Shrub Combinations to Plant In Front of Your Home!
FAQ
What shrubs grow best in direct sunlight?
- Shrubs & Vines by Category. Shrubs for Sun.
- Callicarpa. Clematis. Clethra. Cornus. Hydrangea. Ilex. Rosa. Syringa. Viburnum.
- Beautyberry. Lilac. Sweet Pepperbush.
What shrub is lime green?
The Lime Glow Barberry sports its namesake unique lime-green foliage, powerful heat and sun resistance uncommon among yellow-leaved shrubs and small but formidable thorns that make it excellent for borders and barriers.
What is the best evergreen shrub for full sun?
- MONROVIA GROWERS. Boxleaf Euonymus – Monrovia. …
- Pike Nursery. Blush Pink Nandina. …
- MONROVIA GROWERS. Monrovia Emerald Isle® Leyland Cypress (Spiral Topiary) …
- Premium Grown. Blue Star Juniper. …
- Pike Nursery. Sky Pencil Japanese Holly. …
- Pike Nursery. Helleri Japanese Holly. …
- MONROVIA GROWERS. …
- MONROVIA GROWERS.
What small shrubs stay green all year?
Several small evergreen shrubs stay green all year and are suitable for landscapes. Boxwood, Juniper, and Inkberry Holly are popular choices for their year-round foliage and adaptability.