25 Best Evergreen Shrubs for Lovely Landscaping

Rhododendron (Rhododenron Spp.)

Azaleas and rhododendrons belong to the same genus, and the difference is sometimes hard to identify. While a few azaleas are evergreen, it is the rhododendron group that generally are the broadleaf evergreens, retaining leathery green-to-bronze foliage through the winter. In general, rhododendrons are larger shrubs than azaleas, and they have larger leaves. Azalea flowers typically have five stamens, while rhododendron flowers have ten.

Rhododendrons are versatile plants, often used singly as specimens, in groups for woodland gardens and shrub islands, or as foundation plants. However, they have a loose, airy growth habit that doesn't work well in hedges.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9 (depends on variety)
• Color Varieties: Lavender, pink, rose, red, white, coral, yellow
• Light: Part shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained, acidic
• Mature Size: 5 to 20 feet (depending on variety)
• Deer Resistant: No

Wintercreeper (Euonymus Fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold' )

'Emerald 'n' Gold' euonymus is a broadleaf evergreen shrub grown for its variegated leaves, which have green centers with golden margins. This is a low-growing shrub (to about two feet) that sprawls out as much as four feet. It can be a versatile ground cover for both sunny and shady areas. If given support, it will climb a low wall. Foliage turns pinkish-red in the fall, and it may drop off in the colder areas of its hardiness range. Be aware that the Euonymus scale can be a significant insect problem.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–8
• Color Varieties: Flowers are insignificant; foliage is green with golden margins
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained
• Mature Size: Up to 70 ft. as a vine, 2-4 ft. as a shrub
• Deer Resistant: No

Canadian Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)

The Canadian hemlock, also known as the eastern hemlock, is a coniferous evergreen with small, lacy needles. The species performs well in shady conditions. While many specimens are large, growing as tall as 75 feet and serving as landscape trees, there are also compact cultivars that function as shrubs. When kept trimmed, the shrubby types form a dense living wall, making them effective privacy screens.

Canadian hemlocks perform best in cooler climates, and south of USDA hardiness zone 6 they might struggle a bit. Before planting this species, check on the presence in your region of the hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), a very small sap-sucking insect that threatens the tree in many areas. Other hemlock species might be a better choice if HWA is a severe problem in your region.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–7
• Color Varieties: Medium-green needles
• Light: Part shade to full shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
• Mature Size: 75 feet
• Deer Resistant: Yes

False Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Golden Mop')

Valued for its whimsical golden foliage, 'Golden Mop' (or 'Gold Mop') is a needled evergreen shrub, also known as Sawara cypress. Instead of bearing classic sharp needles, 'Golden Mop' needles are awl-shaped.

'Golden Mop' is a slow-growing, mounded shrub form of the C. pisifera species that will take ten years to reach its maximum size of five feet. It has stringy, arching, whip-like branches and is most often used in foundation plantings, in rock gardens, or as a specimen shrub in small areas.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
• Color Varieties: Golden-yellow needles
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
• Mature Size: 6-30 ft. tall, 3-7 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Boxwood (Buxus spp. and Hybrids)

Boxwood is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with very small leaves and a dense growth habit that makes it an outstanding plant for formal hedges. It is prized for its small, densely packed leaves, making it ideal for sculpting with a pair of garden shears or electric hedge trimmers.

These are slow-growing shrubs that rarely grow more than five feet tall, usually kept trimmed even shorter. Although generally evergreen, these shrubs do not like harsh winter winds, which can burn the foliage. In addition to being a very common low-hedge plant, boxwoods can make good shrubs for foundation plantings.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9 (depends on variety)
• Color Varieties: Most have light- to medium-green foliage; yellow and deep-green varieties are also available.
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Evenly moist, well-drained, loamy
• Mature Size: 2-8 ft. tall, 2-8 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Blue Holly (Ilex × meserveae)

Blue holly is broadleaf evergreen shrub that usually grows six to ten feet tall, but occasionally can grow to 15 feet. Its older leaves develop a dark color that gives it its name. The branch stems also are dark. Hollies are dioecious, meaning that they have specific genders. The most popular blue holly cultivar is 'Blue Princess', a female clone. To produce berries, 'Blue Princess' requires the 'Blue Prince' male holly to be planted nearby, within 50 feet.

Blue holly is a versatile shrub used in borders, screens, hedges, and for foundation plantings.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-7
• Color Varieties: Foliage is dark green with a bluish cast; insignificant white flowers in spring produce red berries if the female holly was pollinated by the appropriate male holly
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic; good tolerance for nearly any soil
• Mature Size: 10–15 ft. tall, 8–10 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: No

American Arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis)

In the landscape trade, the common name arborvitae is usually applied to the various cultivars of the Thuja occidentalis species, a group of needled evergreen shrubs and trees in which the needles are arranged in flat sprays that look like fans or scales —much different than most needled evergreens. Arborvitaes are very similar to cedars, though true cedars belong to a different genus, Cedrus. The true landscape arborvitae, T. occidentalis, is sometimes called eastern white cedar, even though it is not a cedar at all.

T. occidentalis is a smallish to medium-sized tree, growing to a maximum of about 60 feet, though some cultivars are much shorter. 'Emerald Green', for example, achieves a height of only about 12 to 15 feet. 'Golden Globe' is a dwarf cultivar, topping out at only three feet. 'Pendula' is a 10-foot shrub with a weeping habit. 'Danica' is a globe-shaped arborvitae that grows only up to one foot tall.

Depending on the size and shape of the cultivar, arborvitaes can be used for a variety of landscape purposes, from foundation plantings to hedges, privacy screens to shade trees.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2–7; varies according to variety
• Color Varieties: Yellow-green to dark green
• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Soil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained; good tolerance for poor soils
• Mature Size: 12–20 ft. tall, 3–10 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia)

Mountain laurel is a broadleaf evergreen shrub that grows to about 15 feet tall and produces profuse clusters of pink or pinkish-white flowers in spring. It has a gnarled, multi-stemmed growth habit and elliptical, leathery leaves, similar to rhododendrons. Mature plants will sometimes have the appearance of small trees with gnarly trunks.

Mountain laurel is usually planted in masses around foundations, for screens, or in shrub islands.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9
• Color Varieties: Blooms are pink to white with dark purple markings
• Light: Partial shade
• Soil Needs: Rich, moist, well-drained, slightly acidic
• Mature Size: 5–15 ft. tall, 5–15 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Yew (Taxus spp.)

Taxus is a very large genus of needled evergreens, many of which are suitable for use as landscape shrubs for various purposes. Cultivars commonly grown for landscape fall into species including Taxus baccata, T. canadensis, T. cuspidata, and Taxus × media. Yews can be distinguished from other needled evergreens by the shape and feel of the needles, which are flattish and feel soft to the touch rather than prickly like most needled evergreens. The foliage color is generally very dark green, sometimes bordering on black.

The tolerance the yew has for shade and the ease with which it can be shaped into a hedge makes it a versatile plant. It is commonly used for foundation plantings.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8, depending on the variety
• Color Varieties: Dark green needles; some have red berries
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-draining, loamy
• Mature Size: 4 to 60 feet tall, 4 to 20 feet wide, depending on the variety
• Deer Resistant: No

Daphne (Daphne × burkwoodii 'Carol Mackie')

Depending on the USDA hardiness zone, a Daphne shrub can be deciduous, semi-evergreen, or fully evergreen. One of the most popular cultivars is 'Carol Mackie', a small rounded shrub that grows only three to four feet tall and produces pale pink flowers in spring. The leaves are grayish-green with cream-colored margins. While 'Carol Mackie' is hardy to USDA zone 4, it is likely to lose its leaves and possibly suffer some winter damage when grown in USDA zones 4 or 5. In USDA zones 6 to 8, it is more reliably evergreen.

This shrub can be finicky, sometimes dying for no apparent cause. It is a beautiful choice for shrub borders, screens, or as a foundation plant. The flowers are especially fragrant, so many people like to plant them close to walkways, entrances, and outdoor living spaces such as patios.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–8
• Color Varieties: Medium-green foliage with creamy margins
• Light: Partial shade
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
• Mature Size:  1–5 feet tall, 2–6 feet across (depends on variety)
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Creeping Juniper (Juniperis horizontalis)

Of the many juniper species, those known as creeping junipers are generally cultivars of the aptly named Juniperis horizontalis species. These shrubs remain under 18 inches in height, with a spread of as much as 10 feet. The foliage consists of prickly, scaly needles that are blue-green in color, sometimes turning purplish in winter. Some varieties produce cones that look like dark blue berries.

Creeping juniper is generally used as a sprawling ground cover, often in foundation plantings, in rock gardens, or on hillsides. The plants are usually trouble-free but are sometimes subject to fungal problems or root rot in very wet conditions.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–9
• Color Varieties: Bluish-green foliage
• Light: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained; does not like wet soil
• Mature Size: 3-6 in. tall, 6-8 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Juniper (Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star')

'Blue Star' juniper is another needled evergreen with silvery-blue foliage and a low growth habit, but it is more self-contained than the creeping juniper. This slow-growing plant is a dwarf, forming a compact mound that reaches just one to three feet in height at maturity, with a similar spread. The foliage is the familiar silver-blue color common to junipers, prickly and scaly in texture. The seed cones are blackish berries.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–8
• Color Varieties: Silvery blue-green foliage; cones are blackish berries
• Light: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Medium moisture, well-drained; does not tolerate wet, dense soils
• Mature Size: 1 to 3 ft. tall, 1.5 to 3 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Chinese Juniper (Juniperus chinensis)

Chinese juniper is a tall evergreen cone-shaped plant with prickly, dark green needles that remain attractive year-round. Berry-like fruit appears in the late summer and fall and attracts birds. There are plenty of cultivars of Chinese juniper, many of which can be ornamentally shaped for garden and landscape interest but they can also be used for dense hedges, privacy screens, and ground cover.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9
• Color Varieties: Dark green foliage
• Light: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained
• Mature Size: 2–40+ ft. tall, 15–20+ ft. wide 
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Inkberry Holly (Ilex gabra)

Inkberry holly is a slow-growing broadleaf evergreen shrub that grows in an upright habit with small greenish-white flowers during May and June. Its dark fruits give the plant good color in the winter but they need pollination to produce the fruits. The plant is often used for casual hedging in moist woodland landscapes. Bees are extremely attracted to this shrub and like other holly bushes, this is also toxic to people and pets.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–10
• Color Varieties: Bright green foliage
• Light: Full sun, partial sun
• Soil Needs: Moist, well-drained, clay
• Mature Size: 5-10 ft. tall, 5-8 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Thread Branch Cypress

Getting its name from the thread-like needles that adorn its branches, the thread branch cypress makes a beautiful outdoor evergreen with yellow foliage. It works well as an accent bush or even as a small hedge. This slow-growing evergreen shrub requires full sun and enriched, slightly acidic, well-drained soil.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-10
• Color Varieties: Yellow
• Light: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Enriched, slightly acidic, and well-drained
• Mature Size: 6 ft. tall, 8 ft. wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Southern Wax Myrtle

The southern wax myrtle is a broadleaf evergreen bush that belongs to the barberry family. It is native to the United States, Central America, and the Caribbean. The southern wax myrtle is hardy in the winter in USDA zones 7 through 10. Do keep in mind it will only be semi-evergreen in northern zones. This shrub likes full sun to partial shade and sand soil.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-10
• Color Varieties: Green, yellow
• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Needs: Sand
• Mature Size: 20-25 ft tall, 8-10 ft wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Leyland Cypress (Cuprocyparis leylandii)

A rapidly growing evergreen shrub, the Leyland Cypress is well-known for its ability to provide wonderful privacy in any yard. Possessing beautiful and vibrant green foliage, this deer-resistant shrub grows as tall as 70 feet, with a spread of 15-25 feet wide. It thrives in full sun with well-drained and loamy soil.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6-10
• Color Varieties: Green
• Light: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained, loamy soil
• Mature Size: 60-70 ft tall, 15-25 ft wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Korean Fir (Abies koreana)

A short-needled evergreen conifer, the Korean fir is a great tree that can help add beautiful color to your yard's landscape. Growing no more than 30 feet tall, this evergreen shrub is adorned with purple to tan cones that make it easy to identify. If planting multiple Korean firs, make sure to give them adequate space between one another, at around 15 feet. This ensures they have proper room to spread.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-7
• Color Varieties: Green
• Light: Full, partial sun
  
• Soil Needs: Moist and well-drained acidic soil
  
• Mature Size: 15–30 ft. tall, 6–12 ft. wide
  
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Japanese Holly (Ilex crenata)

The Japanese holly, also known as a box-leaved holly, is an evergreen shrub with a thick branching pattern and grows at a moderate rate. Japanese hollies are often used as hedges or to create topiaries. Make sure the Japanese holly has well-draining soil and have a way to protect it from the elements.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5
• Color Varieties: Green leaves with white blooms
• Light: Full, partial
• Soil Needs: Well-drained
• Mature Size: 3–10 ft tall, 3–8 ft wide
  
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Eastern Red Cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

An adaptable evergreen shrub native to eastern North America can grow almost anywhere. The needled evergreen is a slow-growing conifer with a pyramidal shape. The eastern red cedar provides wildlife value but is also tolerant of deer. It is air pollution and black walnut resistant.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-9
• Color Varieties: Green
• Light: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Rich, moist, slightly acidic, well-drained
  
• Mature Size: 30-65 ft tall, 8-25 ft wide
  
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Bay Laurel (Laurus nobilis)

The bay laurel can be pruned to be a garden shrub but it can also work full-sized single- or- multi-stemmed landscape tree. Typically grown in pots, the bay laurel tree is a slow-growing plant that is best planted during the spring.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-10
• Color Varieties: Green
• Light: Full, partial
• Soil Needs: Moist and well-drained
• Mature Size: 10–60 ft tall, 5–20 ft wide
  
• Deer Resistant: tk

American Holly

The American holly tree is a pyramidal evergreen that is also known as a winterberry. It is known for its dull and dark green leaves in a spiny shape. It has a moderate growth rate and loves full sun. It is resistant to deer.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5
• Color Varieties: Green
• Light: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Loam
• Mature Size: 20-50 ft tall, 10-20 ft wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Winter Heath

Winter heath is an evergreen shrub that is a great choice for beginner gardeners. It is fast growing and has many cultivars you can choose from. The biggest thing to keep in mind is that the winter heath thrives in full sun, so make sure to plant in a spot that will meet this need. Well-drained soil is also key.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 7-9
• Color Varieties: Pink, cream, white
• Light: Full, partial
• Soil Needs: Moist but well-drained
• Mature Size: 12 inches tall
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Bearberry

The bearberry is an evergreen tree that grows less than one foot tall. These are hardy evergreens with bright red berries. It is a highly drought-tolerant plant. Do be mindful where you plant, however, as a barberry does not handle being moved well.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2-7
• Color Varieties: Green and red
• Light: Full sun, partial
• Soil Needs: Well-drained and acidic
• Mature Size: One foot tall, three to six feet wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes

Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster horizontalis)

The cotoneaster is an evergreen shrub that has beautiful dark green leaves. Cotoneaster often show off in the fall and go through beautiful changes in color. This is a low maintenance shrub, It attracts birds but it is deer resistant.

• USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
• Color Varieties: Blue, green foliage; pink, red, or white flowers
• Light: Full sun
• Soil Needs: Well-drained
• Mature Size: 1-3 ft tall, 5-15 wide
• Deer Resistant: Yes