Small evergreen plant shrub and dwarf mixed bag of evergreen bush can work many problems in your garden . They will fill it with richly textured and colorful foliage all twelvemonth around . They are miserable maintenance , and they are even excellent ground cover .
What is more , they accommodate well to many types of garden , including urban and schematic gardens . And you could have firs , cypresses , pine tree , and other evergreens in your green blank space , even patio , even if it is small !
There are two independent reasons why some evergreen plant shrubs never grow too much and remain modest .
First , pocket-size evergreen shrub are by nature short , peculiarly those adapted to living in abrasive conditions , like windy and insensate places . secondly , dwarf evergreen bush have been bred and hybridized by gardener . Some small evergreens are dwarf varieties of larger shrubs or tree .
These low - spring up evergreen have developed in culture and gained popularity specifically because of their modified sizing , while other evergreen plant shrubs plainly have a of course humble mature sizing .
If you need or need an evergreen in your garden , bench , or terrace , but you only have limited space , a sequoia tree is out of the interrogation , so is a cedar , or even a cypress , add up to think about it !
little evergreen plant crotch hair are a great alternative for those who necessitate a plant life that will fit in a small blank .
This clause will show you some of the best and most popular small and dwarf evergreen shrubs . But we wo n’t block there …
You will happen details on their looker , use and time value for your garden – and how to plant and care for each one with ready to hand tips as well !
15 Small Evergreen Shrubs For Your Garden
Small evergreen shrubs come in many forms . Some are cone-bearing , while others are broadleaf evergreen . Also , since small evergreens are in such requirement , you ’ll find that many evergreen plant shrubs rebel through careful cultivation .
For each bush on our list , you will read what makes them heavy and what atmospheric condition leave them to grow well .
Here are 15 midget evergreen shrubs to add year circular interest in your little gardens and landscapes :
1: Kalmia Latifolia (Mountain Laurel)
Mountain laurel is a native timberland evergreen shrub with spectacular blush . The flowers emerge in May and June .
These flush form clustering at the end of the branches . Each one has an interesting geometric frame similar to a pentagon . coloring material vary from white to dark pink .
stack laurel wreath has all-embracing evergreen plant foliage . They have a simple elongated form and a shiny coming into court .
Mountain bay wreath seldom expands beyond 10 human foot . Instead it normally grows to around 6 foot in height and spread . It typically has a multi - stemmed growth use .
As an understory evergreen plant , good deal laurel does well in a filtered shade . However , this small shrub can adapt to both full sun and full shade . coolheaded localisation with moist acidic soils are best .
You should clip mountain Stan Laurel just after the prime slicing . This include the removal of the dead flowers . Pruning at this time fall in you the most control over the build of this shrub . Diseases are a trouble for mint laurel , specially leafage smirch .
2: Thuja Occidentalis ‘Little Giant’ (Little Giant Dwarf Arborvitae)
Little elephantine dwarf arborvitae is a cultivar of a much larger arborvitae variety . While its parent specie can outmatch 40 metrical unit , this nanus evergreen sort grows to be no more than 4 metrical foot .
This modest size is complemented by a not bad , rounded signifier . This makes little gargantuan midget arborvitae suitable for miserly spaces such as groundwork beds .
As with any arborvitae , the main attractive force here is the coherent foliage . The farewell uphold a consistent color and texture throughout the intact yr .
Otherwise , the ornamental features of this humble evergreen shrub are somewhat circumscribed . The flowers and fruits examine to be unremarkable .
quash wry conditions when establish little giant dwarf arborvitae . When in doubt , look for full Dominicus as well . However , in hot area , some shade can allow for a much - needed relief .
Pruning is not a major requirement for this plant . slight elephantine dwarf arborvitae tends to hold its rounded form with no aid . Consider fertilizing in early spring . You should also know that this plant has a deceptively large origin system . So , think of that when transplanting or digging near this shrub .
3: Ilex × Meserveae BLUE PRINCESS (Blue Holly)
Blue holly get with sharp evergreen plant leaves . These leaves are broad and glossy . Their distinctive patrician - dark-green colour is the inspiration for the common name . At its maximum , this evergreen shrub is 10 to 15 feet tall .
Holly parting are a symbolisation of the Christmas time of year in many theatrical role of the world . These along with the lasting red berries make for dandy seasonal decorations .
But not all blueish hollies have red berries . There are male and distaff translation and only the latter suffer the iconic fruit . But both forms are needed for the pollenation procedure to produce these fruits .
Overall , blue Charles Hardin Holley is a dense bush with great seasonal interest . The ‘ BLUE PRINCESS ’ variety has very sullen and abundant Chuck Berry .
flora blue holly in soil that is slightly acidulent . Soil wet and plenty of sunlight are essential as well . call up that both male and distaff works are necessary to produce the fruit .
Blue holly has honorable wintertime hardiness but can gain from some tip protection when the conditions is exceptionally harsh . Feel free to prune for thinning and mold as you see fit . Blue holly respond well to pruning .
4: Ilex Glabra (Inkberry)
Inkberry is another broadleaf modest evergreen plant bush native to the easterly United States . In late yr it has become increasingly popular as a room to tote up authentic greenery to the landscape .
This diminished evergreen plant shrub have black fruit as the independent identification feature of speech . These drupes are about the size of it of a pea and are a food source for many species of birds . They also hold on all the agency to the start of the next grow time of year .
The leaf are little , smooth , and glossy . They have an oval build that is about 1 inch long . They produce on upright branches that reach a maximum elevation of 8 foot .
Inkberry has culinary economic value as its flowers are want to make gallberry dear . Native population also brewed the leaf for tea .
Inkberry adapts to a spacious reach of soils . This include survival in sandy and mud soils . It prefer moist acidulent soils in full sun or part shade . Wet soils are also no issue for inkberry but high pH scale is a significant detriment .
This evergreen spreads by suffering , so it can be heavy to command at time . The remedy for this is regular pruning . This should occur in springiness just before the fresh ontogenesis appears . This is another industrial plant with both manful and female varieties needed for fruit production .
5: Euonymus Fortunei ‘Emerald Gaiety’ (Wintercreeper Euonymus)
Wintercreeper euonymus is a problematical evergreen plant with slap-up leaf . It can also take the form of a diminished bush , a groundcover , or as a climbing vine . In any case , the mature size for this evergreen is 3 to 5 foot .
Though various , this emergence use is almost always slow and jolly maverick . This broadleaf evergreen is known for its challenging foliage . This is particularly true for the form called ‘ Emerald Gaiety ’ .
The leaves are two - toned and have a glistening texture . Their elementary colour is gloomy dark-green . Their margins show a pick color . The cram turns to a reddish - pinkish tint at the goal of the season .
Beyond the foliage , wintercreeper genus Euonymus offer up little in terms of decorative note value . The flowers are typically not very noteworthy . At sentence the efflorescence do not bloom at all or , only bloom in very modest amounts . When they do bloom , it come in June with a light green colouring material .
industrial plant wintercreeper genus Euonymus in dampish alkaline soil . This flora prefers full sunshine to part shade but will also tolerate full shade . The only soil type to specifically avoid is systematically slopped soil . In many states , this industrial plant is consider invasive so be creditworthy when decide to plant wintercreeper genus Euonymus .
Wintercreeper does not have many demand . It pull through in many setting and even in the presence of befoulment . you could expend pruning to shape this bush as you wish . This should occur in summertime after the bloom bloom . When branches partake the terra firma , they can take tooth root there again .
6: Buxus ‘Green Velvet’ (Boxwood)
The Turkish boxwood shrubs are some of the best evergreen plant plants for formal hedging . you could trim these plants into many different form .
Because of this high responsiveness to shearing , box are one of the most usual mintage used in parquet circle garden . Sometimes gardeners even use trimming to create sculptural conformation with Turkish boxwood shrubs .
The variety called ‘ Green Velvet ’ is great for those who require a belittled evergreen plant shrub variety . This plant grows to only about 4 feet in altitude and spreadhead .
Turkish boxwood have drab , glossy , spacious leaves . They are small with a curving ellipse shape . When impart alone , this boxwood has a heavyset rounded shape . From this configuration , you’re able to make many different forms through shearing and pruning .
Boxwoods do well in part shadowiness atmospheric condition . In full shade , Turkish boxwood bush can mislay their dense growth use . Full Sunday can cause impairment to the leaves . The soil acidity can range from slenderly below inert to slightly above .
While there is great variety in the ways you may rationalise and shape box , there is a sure prison term you should do this . Only prune in the spring after the final frost from the previous winter . During winter , consider providing jazz protection to prevent this plant from dry out out .
7: Juniperus Squamata ‘Blue Star’ (Singleseed Juniper)
Singleseed juniper is a small evergreen plant with needlelike needles . It is native to Central Asia and the Middle East .
This little evergreen plant shrub has a slow ontogeny rate and a limited mature size . At most , it contact 3 pes in height with a slightly big scatter . However , this plant life can produce in many mannequin .
It can grow with an vertical wont . Or it can spread humble to the ground as a groundcover . Either elbow room , singleseed juniper has brusque blueish - grey needle that contribute to a prickly texture .
The needles remain gentle all year and have some whitened accents as well . The fruit is also sorry . Although technically a cone , the fruit looks much more like a Chuck Berry .
When planting this bush , reckon for teetotal soils with great drainage . While singleseed retem is adaptable to a few different land consideration , wet filth are not acceptable .
provide that you have given singleseed juniper the conditions it needs , this plant has almost no sustainment requirements . It is highly insubordinate to disease . It also needs very little pruning as it tends to maintain its shape on its own .
8: Pinus Mugo ‘Aurea’ (Dwarf Mugo Pine)
Mugo pine comes in a few different varieties . In the wild , many versions of this evergreen take the pattern of a broad tree . However , even in nature , low - spreading form are more vulgar .
Dwarf mugo pine tree shares this down in the mouth outgrowth habit but has a smaller size . The variety scream ‘ Aurea ’ reaches only 3 feet and has attractive bright greenish phonograph needle .
These come in set of 2 and are around 3 in long . In fall they become more scandalmongering and sometimes have a semi - evergreen quality .
The form of this small evergreen plant bush is common and temporary . Its branches have a dense habit and rocky scaly grey - dark-brown bark .
As the hardiness rage implies , dwarf mugo true pine performs best in cooler climates . In those options , it can survive both flaxen and stiff soils . The only affair to avoid is short drain . Also , the more Lord’s Day pic this plant life receives , the more yellow the phonograph needle will be .
gnome mugo pine can have a few pestis problems . This is especially true when this flora uprise in the warmer parts of its stove . Pruning should take place in recent wintertime but is not always necessary for this plant .
9: Picea Pungens ‘Glauca Globosa’ (Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce)
Dwarf globe blue spruce is a cultivar of the much larger blue-blooded spruce species . While the parent specie soars into the sky with a discrete pyramidal form , this variety has a much dissimilar 5 foot fledged size .
‘ Glauca Globosa ’ forms a lowly evergreen shrub with a nigh staring globose shape . This form consist of horizontal and vertical branch hold stiff needles .
The needle add aesthetic value through their color . This colour is a vibrant light blue angel in all parts of the year . Each needle is less than 2 inches long and is sharp to the jot .
Dwarf Earth grim spruce also has neat brownish cones . These have a cylindric shape and an overall length of around 4 inches .
You should plant dwarf globe blue spruce in a somewhat acid soil in full sunshine . Soils with restrained moisture and a high amount of food are good . When demonstrate this plant life give sight of water in the first few years .
Dwarf orb blue spruce has a slow growth use that decoct the need for frequent pruning . Yet to hold the perfect rounded class , it is sometimes necessary to hit some of the more vertical branches .
10: Taxus × Media ‘Densiformis’ (Anglo-Japanese Yew)
Anglo - Nipponese yew is one of many hybrid crosses of English yew and Japanese yew . This hybridization give this evergreen shrub its common name and a good mixture of trait .
These qualities admit the suitable visual coming into court of English yew and the toughness of Japanese yew . The specific variety called ‘ Densiformis ’ is a female meaning that it holds fleshy bright ruby-red fruits .
The needles of this plant appear in a set of 2 and are typically less than an inch in length . They are somewhat soft and maintain a dark green semblance in all seasons .
Overall , this bush has a dense public exposure form that stays comparatively depleted to the ground at about 3 feet tall . Also , be mindful that all parts of this works are poisonous when ingested .
Anglo - Japanese yew is not particular about soil acidulousness . It is also able-bodied to grow in the presence of urban pollution . The main demand when choosing a planting location is honorable drain . Anglo - Nipponese yew can also tolerate a high amount of ghost .
Prune before the new ontogeny appears in former spring . learn out for pests such as weevils . Winter can be helpful in maintaining the wellness of the needle . Root guff is common when right drain is not present .
11: Chamaecyparis Pisifera ‘Golden Mop’ (Japanese False Cypress)
The leaf of Nipponese false cypress is evergreen , flexible , and most weeping in its substance abuse . It also features a vivacious color that adds to this plant ’s popularity .
The needles of Japanese false cypress tree are a yellowish - William Green that borders on gold . This provide a nice accent colour to the garden in all seasons .
This evergreen cultivar has a tendency to be very slow - growing . After nearly a decennium , it will reach a height of 3 base .
The ‘ gilded Mop ’ moniker is an homage both to the color of this gnome plant as well as its form . The pliable foliation often count like a stiff swab .
Plant in impersonal soils with part shade for the healthiest growth . Avoid wet soils and open field where the plant life will be exposed to strong winds .
The ongoing care for Japanese put on cypress is minimal . There are niggling to no pestilence and disease problem . Due to the little size and deadening growth , pruning is often not needed .
12: Rhododendron Maximum ‘Compacta’ (Compact Rosebay Rhododendron)
Those familiar with rhododendron will know that Rhododendron utmost is one of the largest coinage . However , the cultivar ‘ Compacta ’ seldom expands beyond 3 feet in both dimensions .
Compact rosebay rhododendron is one of few small evergreen shrubs with both appealing foliage and flower . The leaf are liberal and long with an oval embodiment and a sullen green colour .
The flowers are pale pinkish and flower in multiple large clusters . These bunch appear across the totality of this shrub in the spring .
The peak alone are intellect enough to imbed this shrub . They have 5 connected petals surrounding large stamen . Some inner parts of the petals have a light yellow-bellied speckling .
Plan compact rosebay rhododendron in the shade of large trees . This mimic the filter light it have intercourse in the wild . Acidic filth with good drainage are also indispensable to the health of this plant .
Rhododendrons typically have an extensive root system that takes some time to found . During this metre , supply water on a regular basis . Each class , prune and fertilise just after the industrial plant blossom . Be sure to use an acidulent fertilizer .
13: Pinus Thunbergii ‘Banshosho’ (Japanese Black Pine)
One of many Japanese black pine tree varieties , ‘ Banshosho ’ is a nanus variety . This make this small evergreen plant shrub enceinte for belittled spaces and even as a bonsai tree .
This plant has a broad riding habit where the spread can be almost double the 3 metrical foot summit . However , it takes a while for Nipponese fatal pine to reach its mature signifier . annual emergence is bound to only a few inch .
The needles of Nipponese black pine are dark green and 5 column inch long . The new growing emerges in the form of a taper . These upright bud are a stark bloodless colour and finally open into more dismal needles .
This is a non - flowering plant . The majority of the machination for Japanese black pine tree come from is small height and contrast foliation and new - ontogeny candles .
Nipponese black-market true pine is common salt patient of and take full sunshine . When planting , ensure you select an area with moderately moist grime . Both acidic and slightly alkaline grunge are acceptable .
Nipponese black true pine is considered invasive in some parts of the United States . So , make certain to control the scatter of this plant . Pruning should take place in mid - spring with the finish of maintain the shape and size of the works .
14: Mahonia Aquifolium ‘Compacta’ (Compact Oregon Holly Grape)
Oregon holly grape is an evergreen plant of many names . These include the common name listed here as well as , holly - leaved barberry and stony hatful grape among many other alternatives .
More importantly , this is a highly attractive broadleaf evergreen plant native to the Pacific Northwest . It go for clusters of tiny yellow bloom in the bound . These lead to edible Chuck Berry in summertime .
The leaves share a resemblance with straight holly shrubs . Mainly , they have a glossy texture and multiple penetrative point at their margins .
The ‘ Compacta ’ variety is a cultivar breed to have a modest matured size of it . It seldom surpass 5 feet with its upright shape .
Compact Oregon holly grape grow best in full shade to part shade . obviate full sun and areas with solid hint . This shrub also has a liking for damp acidic soils .
Compact Oregon holly grape spreads via suckering . Remove these after the bush blooms to avoid speedy colonization . To attain the best blossom and fruits , plant alongside other pollinator - supporting species .
15: Rhododendron ‘Robles’ ENCORE AUTUMN LILAC (ENCORE Azalea)
The popularity of azalea bloom has take to a proliferation of cultivar . The ENCORE grouping itself contains numerous varieties .
Among these is the ‘ Robles ’ ENCORE azalea . This is a compact broadleaf evergreen plant that mature to about 3 feet in height and spread . It is also lie with in nurseries as AUTUMN LILAC
This substitute name is due to the coloring material of the flower . These heyday appear in mid - spring with a purple color . As is the typeface with all ENCORE azalea , this assortment has the voltage to blossom multiple times throughout the grow season .
This little evergreen shrub often has a multi - cauline riding habit . It also has dark gullible leaves that serve as a good backdrop to the many bloom this shrub puts forth .
It is life-sustaining to give this azalea acidic land and partial shade . permeate light is idealistic . Good drainage is also essential as the root organisation is relatively delicate and can not survive in stand water .
If your azalea is performing poorly , consider transplantation to a raised layer where you have full control over soil conditions . azalea can also fall victim to many pests and disease . Prune this shrub just after the season ’s first blooms slicing .
Conclusion
You now know about some of the best minuscule evergreen shrub variety . Keep in intellect that there are many more options available in commercial nurseries .
Most of the species on this list have a large number of dwarf varieties . Regardless of which you choose , you must know how to establish these industrial plant and give care for them over the longsighted term . This list will get you started .
Written By
Margie and Arkansas native has an wide backdrop in gardening and landscape gardening . For the last 40 age , Margie has called the Colorado Rocky Mountains her habitation . Here she and her married man of 36 geezerhood raised three kids and possess a successful landscape gardening caller . Margie has a CSU Master Gardener certification . She specialized in garden design & facility , perennial gardens , turf grasses & grass , flower containers , and the overall alimony of allHOA , commercial and residential accounts . She and her husband now lodge in in Denver and are excited about the new experience ’ metropolis life history holds .
