Evergreen shrubs are invaluable additions to any garden, providing year-round color, texture, and structure. Whether you’re looking for a hedge, a focal point, or a container plant, there’s an evergreen shrub to suit your needs. Here are nine of the best types of evergreen shrubs to grow for year-round color.
Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)
Arborvitae is a classic choice for evergreen hedging or screening. With its soft, fan-like foliage, it adds a touch of elegance to any landscape. Smaller varieties are perfect for mixed borders, providing a pop of evergreen color throughout the year.
Blue Holly (Ilex x meserveae)
Blue Holly is prized for its glossy blue-green foliage and bright red berries, which appear in fall and persist through winter. Planting male cultivars nearby ensures fruit set, making it a favorite among gardeners looking to attract birds to their garden.
Boxwood (Buxus spp.)
Boxwood is a versatile evergreen shrub that’s ideal for low hedges and formal designs. With its tiny leaves and dense branching, it can be shaped into various forms, from rounded bushes to sculpted topiaries. Cultivars like Green Gem and Green Mountain offer different growth habits to suit your preferences.
Camellia (Camellia spp.)
Camellia is beloved for its large, dark green leaves and showy flowers, which appear in winter or early spring. Available in single or double blooms, in shades of white, red, pink, or bicolor, camellias add a touch of elegance to any garden.
Common Juniper (Juniperus communis)
Common Juniper is a hardy evergreen shrub with prickly foliage that thrives in various conditions. It can be pruned into formal shapes or left to grow naturally, making it suitable for both formal and informal gardens.
Dwarf Blue Spruce (Picea pungens ‘Globosa’)
Dwarf Blue Spruce is a slow-growing shrub with striking blue-gray needles that add a touch of color to the landscape. Perfect for foundation plantings or mixed borders, it requires minimal maintenance and offers year-round interest.
Evergreen Euonymus (Euonymus japonicus)
Evergreen Euonymus, also known as Japanese euonymus or box-leaf, is a tough shrub that adapts well to various conditions. Available in several cultivars, some with variegated foliage, it adds texture and color to any garden.
False Cypress (Chamaecyparis spp.)
False Cypress is a coniferous shrub with soft foliage and deer-resistant qualities. Available in a range of varieties with chartreuse or grass green foliage, it adds interest to the garden and is suitable for both shrub and tree forms.
Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)
Gardenia is prized for its glossy evergreen leaves and fragrant white flowers, which bloom throughout the summer months. Perfect for container gardens or small spaces, it adds beauty and fragrance to any outdoor space.
