25 Best Evergreen Shrubs - Best Evergreen Bushes to Plant
Pyracantha
Evgenia Glinskaia//Getty ImagesBright white blooms and glossy green foliage make this evergreen a winner. It works well as a barrier hedge, too, because of its thorny branches.
The berries, which come in shades of red or orange, persist into winter, so you'll get double the beauty.
Why We Love It: Striking winter color
2False Cypress
helga_smThis cold-tolerant shrub has graceful limbs and flat, lacy needles. Many varieties grow in a pyramidal or roughly pyramidal shape, which makes a nice, low-maintenance accent plant.
Why We Love It: Soft fern-like needles
3Privet
undefined undefined//Getty ImagesLong used for formal hedges in Europe, this handsome shrub makes a wonderful screen.
It has pretty, fragrant white flowers in spring. It thrives in warmer climates.
Why We Love It: Can be pruned or left natural
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4Pittosporum
khudoliy//Getty ImagesThis mounding evergreen shrub grows well in warm climates. It has solid green or variegated foliage with orange-scented blossoms.
Why We Love It: Good border or accent plant
5Cherry Laurel
Rosmarie Wirz//Getty ImagesThe shiny leaves of this evergreen add interest to the dull winter landscape. Plus, it has pretty linear flowers in spring that have a delicious almond or cherry scent.
Why We Love It: Sweet springtime scent and shiny leaves
6Pieris
Wirestock//Getty ImagesAlso called Japanese andromeda, this beautiful evergreen has clusters of blooms in late winter. It's also one of the few evergreens which tolerates mostly shade.
Why We Love It: Gorgeous clusters of winter flowers
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7Gardenia
Alexandra Grablewski//Getty ImagesWith glossy green foliage and stunning creamy-white or ivory flowers, this evergreen belongs in every warm climate garden. The fragrance is divine, too!
Why We Love It: Lush, fragrant flowers
8Hemlock
Jarmila Horalkova//Getty ImagesDense branching and finely-textured foliage make this shrub a winner as a specimen or planted in a mass to create an interesting screen. Unlike many evergreens, most tolerate some shade.
Why We Love It: Graceful appearance with cute little cones
9Mirror Bush
Firdausiah Mamat//Getty ImagesThis evergreen has super-shiny leaves in shades of bright lime green or pink! It's suited only to warm climates, but in colder parts of the country, you can keep it potted and bring indoors to enjoy as a houseplant over the winter.
Why We Love It: Interesting, shiny leaves
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10Inkberry
Diane Labombarbe//Getty ImagesUpright branches and a cute round shape make this lesser-known native holly a good plant for foundation planting or along walks.
Why We Love It: Good substitute for boxwood
11Blue Holly
Douglas Sacha//Getty Images12Arborvitae, Pyramidal Form
freemixer//Getty ImagesThese pyramidal forms include many different heights, ranging from a few feet to 30 feet tall or more. Bonus: Most don’t need shearing to maintain their conical shape!
Why We Love It: Hardy and fast-growing evergreen
SHOP ARBORVITAE, PYRAMIDAL FORM
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13Arborvitae, Globe Form
Rvo233//Getty ImagesThese rounded arbs are so fun to grow! Many stay in the 12- to 24-inch-tall range, so you can tuck them just about anywhere in the landscape.
Why We Love It: Doesn't need to be sheared to keep its round shape
14Wintercreeper
Maryia Afanasyeva//Getty ImagesThis lovely shrub has a mounding form, making it an attractive foundation planting. Many types have variegated leaves.
Why We Love It: Evergreen shrub for shade
15Azaleas
Mirko_Rosenau//Getty ImagesThese shrubs with glossy green leaves put on a show in early spring with lovely shades of pinks, peach, coral, purple, or white flowers. Some types re-bloom. Make sure to purchase an evergreen (not a deciduous) variety if you want it to retain its foliage year-round.
Why We Love It: Evergreen shrub with beautiful spring flowers
Read more about growing azaleas.
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16Juniper
ed chechine//Getty ImagesJunipers come various shapes and sizes with colors ranging from blue-green to gold. Some are creeping varieties, while other types are more upright.
Why We Love It: Extremely cold-hardy evergreen
17Boxwood
Yarphoto//Getty ImagesTiny rounded leaves that keep their deep green color through the coldest months make boxwood an all-time favorite for landscapes. Most types can be sheared into a hedge, ball form, or left to grow in a more naturalized shape.
Why We Love It: Classic shrub that works in many garden settings
How to find the right boxwood for your area.
18Rhododendrons
Catherine McQueen//Getty ImagesShowy flowers in brilliant purples, pale pinks, and snowy whites pop against shiny green leaves on this evergreen. Once only available in warm climates, some new varieties are cold-tolerant. They prefer dappled shade.
Why We Love It: Evergreen flowering shrub
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19Yew
Sergio Amiti//Getty ImagesThis shrub has dense yet finely textured foliage and attractive reddish bark. There are both low-growing types that work as groundcovers and upright varieties, which make a handsome hedge.
Why We Love It: Cold-hardy evergreen shrub
20Spruce Trees
OllgaP//Getty ImagesThese conifers come in an array of options from dwarf to gigantic. The weeping forms are especially lovely. Look for dwarf varieties if you're short on space.
Why We Love It: Evergreen shrubs in many interesting shapes
Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
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