Evergreen shrubs, which have beautiful needles or green leaves year round, are the foundation of a beautiful landscape. Place them in the correct spots, and you'll frame your house and define your garden beds with a natural, verdant border. Plus, since many varieties offer colorful foliage, flowers, and even berries, evergreen shrubs can add color, texture, and sophistication to your yard.
Best of all, these shrubs grow in a variety of conditions, ranging from acidic to basic soil or partial to full sun. From boxwoods and hollies to azaleas, here are 10 evergreen shrubs to add to your garden for year-round appeal.
10 Low-Maintenance Shrubs That Will Enhance Your Home's Curb Appeal
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Camellia Japonica
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Camellias are like roses—once you start growing them, you'll want more and more. "The evergreen shrubs have glossy, leathery leaves and stunning, fist-sized blooms in shades of white, pink and red," says Dan Stuppiello, Home Depot's divisional merchandise manager of live goods. "Camellias prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil and are long-lived, drought-tolerant plants when established."
Zones: 7 to 9
Mature size: 7 to 12 feet tall x 5 to 10 feet wide
Growing conditions: well-draining, slightly acidic soil
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Boxwood
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Grown in a variety of heights and shapes and with a myriad of growth rates, boxwoods have a forgiving nature; they're an ideal choice for hedges and topiaries. "There are over 100 varieties to choose from. Boxwoods are easy to grow—just do not plant too deeply," says Stuppiello. "They prefer evenly moist, well-drained soil, but can tolerate a wide soil pH range."
Zones: 4 to 9
Mature size: dependent on variety
Growing conditions: full sun; well-draining soil; fertilize in spring for best results
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Holly
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Hollies are classic evergreen shrubs that provide stunning visual interest year round. They have evergreen foliage, fragrant spring flowers, and bright berries in winter; some varieties become very large. "They make excellent evergreen privacy screens on the edge of properties," Stuppiello says.
Zones: 6 to 9
Mature size: 6 feet tall x 6 feet wide (but size dependent on variety and preferences; some grow up to 50 feet tall)
Growing conditions: full sun, but they tolerate part shade
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Gardenia
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Gardenia's creamy soft blooms scent your garden with perfume come spring. "This evergreen shrub produces beautiful white blooms that have a sweet aroma and can be cut to be used in vases and floral arrangements," says Stuppiello. "Gardenias require little maintenance once established and have superb disease resistance."
Zones: 7 to 10
Mature size: 4 to 6 feet tall x 3 to 4 feet wide
Growing conditions: If in zone 7, plant in full sun for the most blooms; in warmer zones, plant in a protected area. Gardenias prefer morning sun and afternoon shade and slightly acidic soil.
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Azaleas
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Azaleas are known for their abundant spring flowers and evergreen foliage. You can grow these versatile plants in containers if you have a patio or balcony garden—or plant many for a cascade of colorful blooms in your backyard. "Azaleas like acidic soil, with a pH around 5.0 to 5.5. Before planting, test and amend your soil to ensure success with azaleas," says Stuppiello. "Native azaleas lose some foliage in winter, but come back in spring with beautiful, fragrant flowers."
Zones: 6 to 9
Mature size: 3 to 6 feet tall x 1 to 4 feet wide
Growing conditions: full sun for the best blooms (some varieties can tolerate partial shade); well-draining soil
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Rhododendron
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Rhododendrons are evergreen shrubs with eye-catching blooms. "Rhododendron flowers in clusters, or trusses, and blooms in late spring and early summer. Once established, rhododendron shrubs are low maintenance, requiring occasional pruning and fertilizing," says Stuppiello.
They have shallow root systems, so when planting, make sure the top of their roots meets the soil level, adds Stuppiello. Apply mulch in the spring and fall; 2 to 3 inches of pine needles or chipped bark will keep soil moist and prevent weeds.
Zones: 4 to 9, 5 to 8
Mature size: 4 to 8 feet x 3 feet wide (but can grow much larger)
Growing conditions: partial shade; treat with a slow-release fertilizer several times a year
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Chinese Fringe Flower
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A versatile evergreen shrub, the Chinese fringe flower thrives in part shade and has fringe-like pink or white flowers and evergreen foliage in shades of green and burgundy. Plant larger fringe flower varieties in mass plantings or as privacy hedges, says Stuppiello. If you have small spaces, look for compact varieties that work well in containers for balconies, decks, and porches.
Zones: 7 to 9
Mature size: 4 to 15 feet tall x up to 12 feet wide
Growing conditions: full sun; well-draining soil; use a slow-release fertilizer every three months after blooming to promote more flowers
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Dipladenia
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Dipladenia is a tropical evergreen vine with lush, vibrant blooms. "In warm zones, it's grown in the landscape as a small shrub, but outside of zones 10 and 11, treat dipladenia like a precious annual," says Stuppiello. "Dipladenia has a wooden stem and a tidy growth habit, ideal for container gardens. It can handle extreme heat, as well as dry spells, and bounce back."
Zones: 10 to 11
Mature size: 3 to 4 feet tall x 2 feet wide
Growing conditions: full sun (in cooler zones, overwinter indoors)
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Dwarf Hinoki Cypress
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A slow-growing evergreen shrub known for its unique, fan-like foliage, the dwarf Hinoki cypress adds a touch of elegance to any landscape. "Its compact size and attractive texture make it suitable for small gardens or container planting," says Zahid Adnan, a gardener with The Plant Bible. "Regular watering and mulching will help retain moisture."
Zones: 4 to 8
Mature size: 3 to 5 feet tall x 2 to 5 feet wide
Growing conditions: partial shade; well-drained soil
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Heavenly Bamboo
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Heavenly bamboo is an evergreen shrub prized for its colorful foliage and delicate clusters of red berries that persist throughout the year. "It offers a vibrant display and works well as a focal point or in mass plantings," says Adnan. "Heavenly bamboo requires moderate watering and benefits from pruning to maintain its shape and encourage new growth."
Zones: 6 to 10
Mature size: 4 to 6 feet tall x 4 to 6 feet wide
Growing conditions: full sun to partial shade; adapts well to a range of soil conditions