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4 Small Trees That Grow Well in Shady Texas Yards

August 18, 2026
, Trees

As the tallest in the plant world, trees planted in a landscape are closest to the sun and almost always thrive in sunlight. In fact, we strategically select our trees for the areas in our landscapes where we would like to block the sun and take advantage of the shade the trees will provide. However, there are times when a smaller, ornamental tree is just the right fit for an already shaded spot. While there are not as many to choose from, here is a list of four small trees that grow well in Texas shady yards.

Yaupon Holly

As with most Holly plants, the Yaupon Holly tree is very happy living in any degree of shade or sun. While the Yaupon can also be grown as a very large shrub, the tree is pruned most often into a beautiful, multi-trunk tree. Unlike other Holly plants with sharp, pointed leaves, the Yaupon has very small, rounded leaves. The Yaupon grows to a maximum height and width of 15 ft and is an evergreen tree, so there will be no leaf drop in the winter. The Yaupon does not produce flowers, but the female Yaupon trees will produce berries throughout the winter season.

Name: Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria)
USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-9
Foliage color: dark green
Bloom color: none
Bloom time: none
Sun Exposure: shade or sun
Mature Size: 15 ft. height, 15 ft. width

Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum

Grown as either a large shrub or a small tree, the Rusty, or Southern Blackhaw Viburnum prefers partial or full shade and has a bit of everything to offer. The thick and glossy foliage changes color throughout the year: bright green in the spring, dark green in the summer, and brilliant red in the fall. This unique tree also produces a white flower in the spring and an edible, raisin-like fruit in the fall. Rusty Blackhaw is perfect for an understory plant, as it matures to only 15 ft in height and 12 ft in width.

Name: Rusty Blackhaw Viburnum (viburnum rufidulum)
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-7
Foliage color: green, red
Bloom color: white
Bloom time: spring
Sun Exposure: partial or full shade
Mature Size: 15 ft. height, 12 ft. width

Japanese Maple

Japanese Maple is a very specific type of Maple tree. While there are several hundred varieties of Japanese Maple, they all tend to have much more delicate, frilly foliage when compared to a standard Maple. Japanese Maple trees grow slowly and thrive in shady areas that are protected from harsh wind. Depending on the variety, a Japanese Maple can grow to between 5 and 20 ft in height and width. This wide range of varieties allows Japanese Maple to be planted directly in the ground or in large containers.

Name: Japanese Maple (acer palmatum)
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8
Foliage color: green, red, yellow
Bloom color: none
Bloom time: none
Sun Exposure: partial shade or shade
Mature Size: 5 to 20 ft. height, 5 to 20 ft. width

Saucer Magnolia

Not your typical Magnolia tree, the Saucer Magnolia has wide-open branching with lush foliage only throughout the growing season, dropping all its leaves in winter. However, the Saucer Magnolia provides the same large and showy flowers as the Southern Magnolia trees but can also give you pink, burgundy, and white blooms. These blooms come right at the tail end of the winter season or very early spring. The Saucer Magnolia will grow up to 25 ft tall and 20 ft wide. The Saucer Magnolia does best in areas with acidic soil.

Name: Saucer Magnolia (magnolia × soulangeana)
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Foliage color: green
Bloom color: pink, burgundy, white
Bloom time: late winter, early spring
Sun Exposure: partial shade or shade
Mature Size: 25 ft. height, 20 ft. width