Each species of tree has its own range of shade tolerance. A very hardy evergreen choice for shaded areas is the yew. Most of these shade-tolerant evergreens prefer to be in full or partial sunlight; that means they are not the best plants for bedroom and other indoor areas. Some varieties also provide privacy as they mature. Who knew? Read on to learn more about growing trees in shade and which ones are the most suitable. By Christine Froehlich Fine Gardening - Issue 130. Yes, you can grow evergreen trees and shrubs in shade. Evergreens that Grow in Full Shade. Shade loving evergreens are a great choice for sections of your landscape with very little or no light. To properly select plants suitable to your site, defining the level of shade or sun the plant will receive is helpful. By: Desirae Roy 21 September, 2017. Heavy shade means areas that get no direct sun at all, like areas permanently shaded by dense evergreens. Read on to learn about three options that do well in the shadows. For instance, heavy shade can be characterized as a site where no direct sunlight reaches the site such as that found at the base of a north-facing wall or below dense evergreens (e.g., under hemlocks). How to Care for Fast Growing Evergreen Trees. Trees That Grow in Shade For year-round good looks that complement almost everything, try shade-tolerant evergreens, like Emerald Spreader™ Japanese yew (USDA Hardiness Zones 5–7). Evergreens make excellent neighbors. Typically when considering evergreens, the gardener automatically pictures hedges, screening, or landscape border plants in sunny, open areas. Trees for shady areas do not all have the same shade preferences. Yew. Some of these trees have a high tolerance for environmental factors such as extreme weather conditions, insects, and poor soil drainage.