20 Best Evergreen Shrubs For Privacy, Borders, and Beauty

Evergreen shrubs are known to bring color and charm to any garden space, irrespective of the season. Their consistent foliage adds beauty and stability, making them an ideal option for creating privacy screens or filling dull and empty garden spaces. 

These shrubs come in many forms – tall, rounded, compact, conical, allowing you to style your front lawn or backyard. Whether you plant them outdoors or in your balcony garden, they tend to leave an impressive impact. 

Moving further, this article covers 20+ evergreen shrubs that will surely add timeless beauty to your outdoor space. Also, explore some practical care tips to make them more appealing. 

10 Most Popular Evergreen Shrubs For Year-Round Greenery

Evergreen shrubs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures, making them suitable for almost any garden style. Given below are some of the most popular ornamental shrubs that have unique features and are easy to care for. 

Azalea is one of the most appreciated evergreen and flowering shrubs. It is known for its vibrant, year-long blooms. 

The funnel-shaped pink flowers are its distinguishing feature and tend to provide structure to the garden. It grows best in partial shade and requires well-draining, evenly moist soil to flourish. 

Hardiness Zone	5-9 USDA
Botanical Name	Rhododendron spp
Height	3-5 ft tall
What I liked	I absolutely adore the blooms of Azalea and how they symbolize femininity.
Common Issue	This flower is very susceptible to lace bugs and requires regular inspection.

If you are planning to add small evergreen bushes and shrubs to your garden space, Rhododendron might be an excellent choice. This woody shrub is widely appreciated for its showy and elegant flowers. 

Its glossy green leaves, along with stunning blooms, create a lovely contrast in the garden. Although all parts of this purple plant are toxic, they are widely used as ornamental plants. 

Hardiness Zone	4-9 USDA
Botanical Name	Rhododendron spp.
Height	2-20 ft tall (depends on the species)
What I liked	I personally appreciate the hardy and resilient nature of the bloom.
Common Issue	The aggressive root structure and the leaves of the plant are toxic to other plant species.

Arborvitae, also known as American Pillar Arborvitae, is one of the most commonly grown evergreen shrubs for privacy. It is a versatile species known for its dense, year-round foliage. 

If you are looking to add instant beauty and privacy to your landscape, this conical tree fits perfectly in any garden space. It grows well in full sunlight and requires moderate watering, making it a low-maintenance option. 

Hardiness Zone	3-7 USDA
Botanical Name	Thuja Genus
Height	20-30 ft tall
What I Liked	Arborvitae works as an excellent privacy screen without putting much effort.
Common Issue	The foliage of the plant turns yellow very easily if not inspected properly.

The Arborvitae Globe Form is almost similar to the pyramidal form. It is mostly grown as a border cover shrub and requires minimal pruning. 

Additionally, the species provides continuous color and structure to any landscape and is very cold-hardy, making it an ideal option to grow during frosty weather. Golden Glove, Little Giant, and Tater Tot are some of its popular cultivars. 

Hardiness Zone	2-8 USDA
Botanical Name	Thuja Genus
Height	2-6 ft tall
What I Liked	The compact, yet dense shape of this genus allows me to fill the dull and empty corners of my garden.
Common Issue	During freezing winters, the plant turns brown and loses its charm.

Blue Holly is an ornamental evergreen shrub, also known as the December birth flower. It is popularly grown because of its glossy green leaves and eye-catching red berries. 

The plant gives a classic holiday feel and symbolizes happiness, peace, and joy. It can thrive in full sunlight, requires moderate watering, and prefers growing in a permeable soil type. 

Hardiness Zone	4-9 USDA
Botanical Name	Ilex × meserveae
Height	6-15 ft tall
What I Liked	The red berries create a classic contrast with glossy green leaves.
Common Issue	Susceptibility to fungal problems such as leaf spot, powder mildew, and tar spot.

Inkberry is a lesser-known miniature evergreen shrub. It features shiny, dark green leaves and is mostly grown as a border cover plant. 

The shrub is native to North America, and it produces tiny black berries, which are generally toxic for cats and dogs. Moreover, the genus also bears white flowers, making it an alluring addition to any landscape. 

Hardiness Zone	4-11 USDA
Botanical Name	Ilex glabra
Height	5-10 ft tall
What I Liked	It is extremely low-maintenance. Does not require regular attention and still flourishes.
Common Issue	The genus is prone to root rot if the soil is not well-draining.

Southern Magnolia is one of the most stunning-looking tall evergreen shrubs. It produces large, creamy-white blooms and looks absolutely eye-pleasing with glossy dark green leaves. 

The Magnolia flowers are extremely fragrant and said to represent love and connection since the Victorian times. It grows up to 12 inches tall and blooms throughout the summer. 

Hardiness Zone	6-7 USDA
Botanical Name	Magnolia grandiflora
Height	60-80 ft tall
What I Liked	I personally adore the creamy white flowers of the genus. It makes my garden look vibrant.
Common Issue	It makes the garden messy as it keeps shedding old leaves

If you are looking for a plant that’s easy to care for and stays green all year long, the Boxwood evergreen shrub might just be an excellent option. This slow-growing bush fits perfectly into any garden space and is highly versatile. 

It prefers growing under direct sun exposure, is adaptable to various soil types, and thrives even with moderate watering.

Hardiness Zone	5-9 USDA
Botanical Name	Buxus spp
Height	2-8 ft tall
What I Liked	I like how easy it is to care for the plant and how adaptable it is to a variety of climatic conditions.
Common Issue	Boxwood gets easily affected by a lot of pests and fungal diseases.

Pyracantha, commonly called firethorn, is a large evergreen shrub known for its vibrant orange berries. The stems of this genus feature large thorns. It is mostly grown as a privacy shrub, standing against the wall, and the clustered white flowers of the plant look striking. 

Although the pulp of this plant’s berries is edible and safe to consume, the seeds are toxic and can cause serious intestinal issues.

Hardiness Zone	5-9 USDA
Botanical Name	Pyracantha (genus)
Height	6-20 ft tall
What I Liked	The tiny orange berries take my heart every time I look at them. Looks extremely scrumptious!
Common Issue	Susceptible to a bacterial infection, which causes wilting or blackening of the leaves and branches.

Japanese Cedar is an evergreen conifer tree, mainly planted as a privacy screen in backyards or front lawns. The unique foliage of this shrub is the focal point of attraction. 

It has a pyramidal shape and often grows up to 50–60 feet tall. Additionally, it has many cultivars that are popularly grown in large garden spaces, and some even have cultural significance across the world. 

Hardiness Zone	5-8 USDA
Botanical Name	Cryptomeria japonica
Height	40-60 ft tall (depends on species)
What I Liked	I like that the plant instantly brightens any corner. The needle-like leaves look absolutely stunning.
Common Issue	The most prevalent issue faced by this genus is leaf spot, which turns the entire foliage brown or grey.

These are some of the miniature evergreen shrubs that are mostly grown by plant enthusiasts and flora lovers to elevate the vibe and overall look of any landscape.

10 Evergreen Flowering Shrubs For Your Backyard

This section highlights an extended list of evergreen shrubs with pictures. Each plant has its own unique feature and charm that enhances the vibe of any landscape effortlessly. 

Name of the Shrub	Image	Key Features
Mountain Laurel		Mountain Laurel thrives in hardiness zones 4 to 9. The leather-like leaves and showy, pink bell flowers make it a most wanted evergreen flowering shrub.
Camellia		The flowers of this evergreen shrub are often used to make tea, and the seeds of the genus are used to make Camellia oil for skincare.
False Cypress		False Cypress generally has a slow to moderate growth rate. The scale-like leaves of the genus make it a unique evergreen shrub. It is also grown as an accent plant in many gardens.
Abelia		Abelia is a popular and low-maintenance flowering shrub, planted in the front lawns to enhance the vibe of the space. This shade plant is also pollinator-friendly and produces rich nectar.
Wintercreeper		Wintercreeper is native to East Asia and is mostly grown as a ground cover plant. The glossy green leaves with silver lines make it an extremely stunning evergreen shrub.
Nandina		Nandina, also known as Nandina Firepower, is an ornamental shrub grown for the year-round visual interest it provides. The delicate pink or red flowers of the genus create a beautiful contrast in any garden space.
Indian Hawthorn		Indian Hawthorn is a low-growing shrub. It is widely appreciated for its year-long, beautiful blooms and tiny berries. If you are planning to create a coastal vibe, this bloom is a perfect option.
Eastern Redcedar		Eastern Redcedar is an evergreen conifer tree that grows up to 40-60 ft tall. The wood of the genus is durable, aromatic, and rot-resistant, hence it is used to make furniture.
Southern Wax Myrtle		Southern Wax Myrtle is a tiny evergreen tree known for its low-maintenance and adaptable nature. The aromatic, olive green leaves of the plant make it a must-have in any garden space.
Privet		Privet is a fast-growing, versatile evergreen plant native to Europe, Asia, and the Mediterranean region. It is an easy-to-care-for plant, and many cultivars of the genus are used for ornamental purposes.
Pittosporum		Pittosporum is an evergreen shrub highly valued for its compact structure, glossy leaves, and aromatic flowers. Its bushy structure makes it an ideal option for ground cover or a garden border.
Cherry Laurel		Cherry Laurel is one of the best evergreen privacy shrubs. Its bushy growth habit and the clusters of white flowers make it a popular privacy screening plant.
Gardenia		Gardenia is a woody plant, popularly grown for its creamy white blooms. This evergreen shrubbery is adaptable to different climatic conditions and requires minimal upkeep.
Hemlock		If you are planning to add beauty and elegance to your front lawn, there is nothing better than adding a hemlock plant.
Mirror Bush		Mirror Bush is a low-growing evergreen shrub. It is extremely hardy and can be grown as an indoor houseplant in a variety of soil conditions.

The evergreen shrubs listed in this section show how easily beauty and resilience can be incorporated into any outdoor or indoor space. A thoughtful addition to any landscape can instantly bring a long-lasting charm to your front lawn or backyard. 

How to Care for Evergreen Bushes And Shrubs?

Carefully assessing the condition of the garden space before planting any evergreen shrub is very important. It is always beneficial to know the hardiness zone you live in and plant the blooms accordingly. 

Let us quickly explore how to care for these ornamental shrubs and bushes in a few easy steps. 

1. Watering: A newly planted evergreen shrub should be watered moderately but consistently to keep the soil evenly moist. During dry winter months, check the top 2–3 inches of soil and water as needed. 

2. Soil Type: Almost all the flowering evergreen shrubs prefer growing in well-draining, fertile soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. It is important to use a permeable soil type, as most of these plants are susceptible to root rot.

3. Sunlight Exposure: The sunlight requirement of evergreen shrubs varies from species to species. Some blooms thrive in direct sun exposure and require a minimum of 6 hours of bright sunlight, while others prefer growing under partial shade.  

4. Apply Mulch Around the Base: This step regulates the soil temperature by making it cooler in the summer and warmer in winter. It not only prevents soil erosion but also reduces the chances of growing weeds, eventually enhancing the soil health.

5. Prune at the Right Time: Consider removing dead, damaged, or crowded branches in late winter or early spring. Always avoid heavy pruning during the growing season of any evergreen shrub. 

6. Fertilizer Sparingly: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once a year. Both evergreen shrubs and bushes need nutrition, but they do not respond well to overfeeding. 

7. Monitor for Pests and Diseases: Check for scale, spider mites, fungal spots, or mealy bugs. Be sure to treat and remove them early using garden-safe options, before they cause any serious damage. 

Evergreen shrubs tend to add beauty and structure to any garden space. Most of them are easy to care for and do not demand much. With proper watering, mindful pruning, and seasonal protection, these plants stay robust and attractive all year round. 

Benefits of Growing Small Evergreen Shrubbery

There is no denying the fact that small evergreen shrubbery is a valuable addition to any landscape. They make the space more lively and sophisticated, and their consistent foliage instantly boosts the atmosphere of any outdoor area. 

Listed below are some common benefits of growing evergreen shrubs in your backyard or front lawn. 

1. Provides year-round greenery and visual appeal.
2. Created natural privacy screens and windbreaks.
3. Reduces the chances of soil erosion with their dense and stabilized root structure.  
4. Requires less maintenance than any flowering plant. 
5. They are pollinator-friendly and offer food and shelter to many birds and beneficial insects. 
6. Improves the air quality by filtering dust and other harmful pollutants. 
7. It not only enhances the overall look of the area but also increases the curb appeal.
8. Serves as a versatile plant, being suitable for hedges, border covers, or standalone species.

As has been mentioned above, evergreen shrubs add lasting value to any outdoor space. Their resilience, low upkeep, and landscape-enhancing qualities make them an ideal option for every garden enthusiast. 

Landscaping Ideas With Evergreen Shrubs

There is no denying the fact that evergreen shrubs add timeless beauty and structure to any garden space. However, many people do not have an exact idea regarding the ways to style their indoor or outdoor areas using these alluring shrubberies. 

1. Use tall evergreen shrubs like Arborvitae, Juniper, and False Cypress to form dense, green barriers or privacy screens around the garden. They not only block noise but also look visually appealing throughout the year.

2. Compact evergreen bushes can be used effectively to decorate the pathways or entrances. If these species are neatly pruned, they tend to add an elegance to the space, making it look more polished and sophisticated.

3. Pair evergreen shrubs with perennial and annual flowers to create a dynamic garden. For example, Roses can be paired with Petunias or Lavender to create a long-lasting, colorful effect. 

One of the best advantages of growing these shrubs and bushes is that it gives you endless landscaping ideas. You can also plant these in containers or terracotta pots to decorate your indoor living space. They not only add a definition to the area but also enhance the vibrancy.

Conclusion

Evergreen shrubs are mainly grown to elevate the outdoor spaces with their continuous greenery and lasting strength. With numerous benefits and reliable performance, they become long-term assets. Their ability to provide shade, shelter, structure, and function in any landscape makes them invaluable. 

You can choose a combination of shrubs given in this article and create your personalized garden space that feels balanced and vibrant throughout the year!