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You can add texture and height to your garden, have color and leaves all year, and be an active part of the ecosystem by planting evergreen shrubs.
Like flowering shrubs, evergreen shrubs come in many sizes, shapes, and colors, so you should be able to find one that works with your needs and style.
To bring an evergreen shrub home, you should think about where you live, how much sunlight it gets, the type of soil you have, and how far apart the plants should be. Choose an evergreen shrub that grows well in your climate based on the USDA hardiness zone. Some can withstand extreme cold or hot temperatures while others need moderate climates to thrive. (Note that the Hardiness zones map was updated last year, so you may be in a different zone. ).
Evergreen shrubs are a must-have for any landscape. Unlike deciduous shrubs that lose their leaves in fall, evergreen shrubs maintain their foliage all year long, providing continuous color and structure in the garden. With hundreds of varieties to choose from, selecting the right evergreen shrubs for your needs can be overwhelming. To help make the process easier, here is an extensive list of popular evergreen shrubs along with pictures to give you design inspiration.
Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs
Broadleaf evergreens have wide, flat leaves that remain green through the winter. These attractive shrubs come in a diverse range of sizes, shapes, and textures to suit any landscape need.
Boxwood
Boxwood is one of the most common broadleaf evergreen shrubs prized for its versatility and formal tidy appearance. The small, pointed leaves and dense growing habit make it ideal for low hedges, borders, and topiaries. Boxwood grows slowly, reaching 2-8 feet tall and wide.
![Boxwood shrubs with green foliage]
Euonymus
Often called wintercreeper, euonymus is a broadleaf evergreen valued for its hardiness and variegated foliage Varieties like ‘Emerald n Gold’ have green leaves edged in golden yellow Euonymus can spread as a ground cover or be maintained as a low shrub up to 3 feet tall.
![Euonymus shrub with green and yellow leaves]
Holly
Available in many varieties, holly is prized for its glossy green leaves and ability to tolerate shearing. It makes an excellent hedge, screen, or accent plant. Most hollies grow 6-15 feet tall and wide, though dwarf cultivars like ‘Gem Box’ stay under 3 feet.
![Blue holly shrubs with green leaves]
Rhododendron
Rhododendrons are broadleaf evergreen shrubs that produce colorful clusters of spring flowers. They do best in partly shaded areas with well-drained, acidic soil. Most grow 5-10 feet tall.
![Rhododendron with purple flowers]
Camellia
Camellias are broadleaf evergreens with large, lustrous leaves that shine in shady gardens. Saucer-shaped blooms come in white, pink, and red. Plants grow 6-12 feet tall.
![White camellia flowers on an evergreen shrub]
Pittosporum
Native to warm climates, pittosporum is a broadleaf evergreen known for its variegated leaves and fragrant spring flowers. Varieties include ‘Variegata’ with cream-edged green leaves. Grows 10-15 feet tall.
![Pittosporum bush with white and green variegated leaves]
Needled Evergreen Shrubs
Needled evergreens, primarily in the pine and juniper families, have slender, pointed leaves. They retain good color all winter and offer unique texture. Many needled evergreens also produce ornamental seed cones.
False Cypress
False cypress has lacy, fern-like foliage and a conical shape. The golden yellow cultivar ‘Golden Mop’ is especially striking in the landscape. Grows 4-15 feet tall.
![False cypress shrub with golden yellow foliage]
Juniper
With over 50 species, junipers are versatile needled evergreens for foundations, slopes, and accent plants. Varieties range from low groundcovers to large screening shrubs up to 20 feet tall.
![Juniper shrub with blue-green needles]
Yew
Yews are dense needled evergreens well-suited to shearing into formal hedges and shapes. Upright varieties like ‘Everlow’ work well in tight spaces. Most yews grow 10-20 feet tall and wide.
![Green yew shrubs trimmed into a hedge]
Arborvitae
Arborvitae have flattened sprays of scale-like leaves. Columnar forms like ‘North Pole’ are excellent for screening while dwarfs like ‘Tater Tot’ work in rock gardens. Grows 10-30 feet tall.
![Green arborvitae shrubs]
Blue Spruce
Blue spruce is an eye-catching needled evergreen with stiff, silvery-blue needles. It maintains a formal pyramidal to columnar shape. Mature size is 40-60 feet tall.
![Blue spruce tree with blue needles]
Best Uses for Evergreen Shrubs
When incorporated properly in the landscape, evergreen shrubs can serve many functions while adding year-round color. Here are some of the best ways to utilize them:
- Hedges, screens, and privacy walls
- Foundation plantings to accent the house
- Border plants and garden focal points
- Topiaries, containers, and patio planters
- Erosion control on slopes and banks
- Windbreaks
When selecting evergreen shrubs, be sure to consider the mature size to allow proper spacing. Also check for cold hardiness and disease resistance. With the right growing conditions, evergreens can thrive for decades, transforming your landscape into a lush, colorful oasis.
Tips for Planting Evergreen Shrubs
Follow these simple tips to get your new evergreens off to the best start:
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Choose a sunny, well-draining spot. Most evergreens need at least 6 hours of sun.
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Amend the soil with compost to improve drainage and nutrition.
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Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. Carefully remove from container and loosen tangled roots.
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Set the plant at the proper depth so the top of the root ball is level with the ground. Refill the hole, tamping down soil.
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Water thoroughly after planting and as needed until established.
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Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around plants to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
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Stake tall or top-heavy shrubs for support while roots establish.
With proper selection and care, evergreens can thrive for many years, giving you an endlessly verdant landscape even through the winter. Take your time deciding which varieties best fit your site and needs. Then get ready to enjoy their beauty every day of the year.
What to Do Before Planting a Shrub
Take note of how much light a shrub gets every day before you plant it that spot. Some shrubs need at least six hours of sunlight every day, while others can handle—and even like—some shade.
“People need to think about sunlight and shade because proper light exposure ensures healthy growth and foliage density,” says Erin McCormick, Senior Horticulturist at Mt. Cuba Center. “Sunlight impacts the shrubs ability to photosynthesize effectively.”
She also says that if an evergreen shrub is in too much shade, it could become diseased or not grow much. The opposite can also be problematic, too. If an evergreen shrub gets too much sun, the leaves may burn, or the plant may need more watering.
Finding out how tall and wide the evergreen shrub will be when it’s fully grown is another important thing that people often forget to think about. The small shrub you bring home isnt going to stay that size. Make sure it has ample space to grow without other plants or even a wall hindering it.
McCormick says, “It’s important to think about mature size because overcrowding can cause poor air flow and disease problems.” “Shrubs planted too close together may compete for nutrients and water. “.
10 Evergreen Shrubs and Bushes for Your Garden
FAQ
What are the small shrubs that look good all year?
What is the prettiest evergreen?
What are the most common evergreen shrubs?
What are the best evergreen shrubs?
Some of the best evergreen shrubs for your front or backyard are: Boxwood —Evergreen ornamental landscaping shrubs with small oval glossy evergreen leaves – these shrubs grow to medium size. Mahonia —Beautiful evergreen flowering shrubs that thrive in full sun or shade and produce stunning blossoms every year.
What are the two types of evergreen shrubs?
The two basic types of evergreen shrubs are conifers, which produce needles, and broadleaf evergreens, which have foliage. Evergreen flowering shrubs bloom in different seasons, while other evergreen bushes produce insignificant flowers or no blooms at all. Try some of these evergreen shrubs in your landscape. 1.
Do evergreen shrubs grow year-round?
Gardeners can find evergreens to suit most any soil type or location in the landscape. Year-round leaves do not have to be green; some boast red, bluish, silvery, and yellow foliage. Heights vary from low growing evergreen shrubs to near-tree heights. Some evergreen shrubs flower and even produce berries for wildlife or people.
Are evergreen shrubs good for a front yard?
Evergreen shrubs are perfect for privacy in a backyard and creating decorative garden features in a front yard. The beauty of growing evergreen shrubs in a garden landscape is that the bushy plants stay green all year long.
Do evergreen bushes have to be green?
Year-round leaves do not have to be green; some boast red, bluish, silvery, and yellow foliage. Heights vary from low growing evergreen shrubs to near-tree heights. Some evergreen shrubs flower and even produce berries for wildlife or people. Get to know the benefits of evergreen bushes and those that grow best in your region.
Are evergreen shrubs good for a garden?
Evergreen shrubs are the champions of harsh climates. They hunker down against the cold winds and heavy snow, serving as your garden’s shelter in the storm. Even in scorching summers, they hold their own, retaining their vibrant green colors. Their adaptability is what makes them the go-to choice for resilient gardens.