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Small evergreen for front of house


12 Best Low Maintenance Evergreen Shrubs For Front Of House

It looks kind of lonely to see a house with empty front landscaping, no matter how good the architecture is.

But a house accented by living green ornaments and evergreen shrubs is worthy of a double look.

What is a greater kind of plant to use than an evergreen shrub? That will stay small, are low-maintenance and evergreen?

They maintain color in all seasons, short and very manageable.

But before you finally decide, you must first ready enough space that can accommodate the evergreen shrub for your house.

Make sure that its height will not block your house. Anyways, evergreen shrubs enjoy being trimmed.

Without dragging it further, here is a list of the best evergreen shrub for the front of the house.

Surely, this kind of plant will make your house look and feel fresh.

Table of Contents

12 Best Evergreen Shrubs For Front Of Houses

Before we begin, below are our top 3 recommendations for fertilizing your shrubs and trees in your landscaping.

From the get-go, plants are the beautiful ornaments of our houses.

In front of houses, using low maintenance dwarf evergreen shrubs is the best choice because it will keep your house lively throughout the year, and shrubs don’t exceed 20 feet in height.

It is important to note that all kinds of shrubs benefit from regular pruning.

It helps the appearance to be kept neat and promotes flowering.

Here are the 12 best small evergreen shrubs For The Front Of House

1. Sprinter Boxwood Shrubs (Buxus Microphylla ‘Bulthouse’)

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Size

Looking into this kind of shrub, you will feel a great resemblance to The Hobbit community.

Boxwoods are low-maintenance evergreen shrubs that can transform your front yard into a wonderland of lush green.

The oval leaves turn yellowish or reddish if overexposed to direct sun or windbreak.

It will strive better in a bright location with partial shade.

It is very flexible and follows the desired shape you have set it in during trimmings.

The soil type it prefers is not anything special for as long as it drains well. It does not like to stay in soggy soil and stagnant water.

It can weaken in the cold winter. They will thank you if you give them mulch to protect its roots and burlap wraps from covering its entirety.

It is not into cold but warmer areas. It is drought and deer-resistant too.

Established sprinters only need watering when rainfall isn’t enough to let them dry out. It is hardy to zones 5-8.

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2. Green Mountain Boxwood (Buxus Sempervirens ‘Green Mountain’)

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Size

Assuming the front of your house is big and elevated, another type of boxwood perfect for enhancing your facade is the Green Mountain.

It is quite tall; in that sense, make sure you trim it regularly, keeping it neat and your house design visible.

It is naturally conical so that you can picture a petite Christmas tree as your front liners.

Green Mountain boxwood shrubs grow moderately, about 3-6 inches a year, keeping deer away since they are resistant to their natural state.

It will require regular watering in well-draining soil. Slightly acidic soil is more preferred, though.

Compared to other boxwood varieties, Green Mountain is more tolerant of short periods of drought enjoying the full sun but can thrive in partial shade.

It can grow greenish-cream flowers too and hardy in regions 4-9.

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Below are some other boxwoods that you may be interested in planting into your landscaping.

3. Densa Japanese (Yew Taxus Cuspidate)

Size

Quite a spreader. Densa Japanese Yew is a dark green shrub with needle-like foliage, perfect for the front-of-house decoration and curb appeal.

These turn into reddish-green during winter.

This shrub is dense in nature that you may try mass planting it as your front borders.

Your location is not of much concern because it is tolerant of urban pollution.

This is one of the evergreens that can tolerate full shade.

It can grow well even under dappled light, but that doesn’t imply that they don’t do well in full sun.

Like most plants, it is not fond of stagnant water, meaning it prefers well-draining soil regardless of its acidity. Keep it evenly moist regularly.

You can protect it during winter by mulching the root areas.

A little caution in the household with pets: all species of Japanese yew are poisonous when ingested.

It bears red small fruits, but it will harm pets and humans if consumed.

It is deer-resistant too and hardy to zone 4b in the USDA map.

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4. Emerald Fountain (Tsuga Canadensis ‘Monler’)

Size

By its common name it goes by, Canadian hemlock, it is easy to infer that they are native of Canada.

They are part of the pine species but can be grown lushly as the front house furnishing too.

It is dense and conical, a perfect hedge, screen, or a stand-alone evergreen.

This species is evergreen with red-brown stems. The needle-like dark green leaves are regarded as the smallest among the genus.

It grows well in any soil type that drains well and is averagely moist. Regular watering is advised, especially in the first weeks of growing.

Emerald fountain is not drought-tolerant.

As a matter of fact, it may be damaged from a temperature higher than 95 degrees F if exposed for long periods.

In rare cases, extremely hot weather can be fatal to it. The zone of the hardiness of T.canadensis is 4 to 7.

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5. Sea Green Juniper (Juniperus Chinensis ‘Sea Green’)

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Size

Of all possible names for a shrub, why sea green? It is because this variety of Juniper has bluish-green foliage, the color of the beautiful sea.

The branches arch like the fireworks on display.

It bears blueberries which are in question if edible. To be safe, you better not eat it.

Deer will not be interested in lurking around, but likewise, it doesn’t attract any beneficial insects.

Sea green juniper is a high-maintenance shrub that asks for a regular check-up.

It cannot last in very wet soil. But aside from the watering issue, it can thrive in any soil type that drains well.

It does well in full sunlight and is tolerant of urban pollution.

It is an important characteristic of juniper, making it a popular genus in gardening. Daily smoke and heat are not fatal to juniper.

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6. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus Densiflorus “Myersii”)

Size

I saw it and fell in love with it. Asparagus fern or foxtail fern is a low-growing evergreen with unique-looking dense foliage.

It arches with feathery stems and bright green leaves.

Asparagus fern, despite its name, is not a true fern and not edible like asparagus.

Hence, it is a true family of the Asparagus genus. The plant is a native of South Africa.

The evergreen shrub for front of houses is not into direct light.

The color ranges from yellow, pale green, or deep green if under direct light, full shade, or partial shade.

Foxtail fern can tolerate cool temperatures but up to 25 degrees F only.

Lower, and it will be deadly to the plant. During the cold season, the plant tends to rest but is not dormant.

Asparagus fern prefers moist soil that drains well.

It appreciates heat, so you may tag it drought-tolerant.

At the same time, it is tolerant to salt sprays. It is hardy to zones 9-11 and can sometimes be invasive.

If you are looking for ideas on what type of ferns to grow, you can look at our post on the most popular ferns to grow indoors or outside.

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Table could not be displayed.

7. Evergreen Azalea (Rhododendron Indicum)

Size

The scarlet flowers of the shrub will surely steal your interest.

Evergreen azaleas, or Azaleas for short, is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with shiny green leaves that turns reddish during winter.

It blooms red flowers in mid-spring.

It is native to Japan, where it tolerates cooler summer. It is winter hardy in the U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 9.

Although azaleas are categorized as winter hardy, it is still safe to mulch them, especially when the winter wind is very prominent.

Mulching will keep the soil cool in summer but warm during winter.

This plant requires constant moisture and benefits greatly in rich, fertilized, acidic soil (ph of 6.5).

It is prone to root rot when left on water not drained well from the soil.

Azalea survives more in areas where there is no extremely hot season.

It enjoys more on dappled light outdoors or filtered sunlight for as long as it is not direct.

Unfortunately for this evergreen, it is vulnerable to pests and diseases.

But with proper attention, it can grow healthy and limit problems.

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8. Georgia Petite Indian Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis X Delacourii ‘Georgia Petite’)

Size

By far, it is like a wedding aisle in your front yard, and up-close Georgia Petite Indian Hawthorn looks like blossoms of popcorn from its pink buds.

It is in great contrast to its dark green foliage that is very dense.

It has a mild fragrance that can last throughout the year. The flowers turn to dark blue ornamental berries afterward.

Indian Hawthorn prefers to be in evenly moist soil.

Before it can establish a vast root system, it requires regular watering.

However, it can be reduced to weekly once they mature.

Similar to most plants, it favors soil that drains well despite average acidity or fertility.

The plant grows well in a spot receiving good sun to a slightly shaded area.

It is mildly drought-resistant but a true disease-resistant shrub.​

In its native habit, Asia, it grows aggressively in the wild. However, the dwarf version, like Georgia petite, is very manageable.

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9.

Brilliant Hibiscus (Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis ‘Brilliant’)
Size

Make this your flowering hedge because the big red flowers of this tropical hibiscus stand out against the green stem and leaves.

The flowers are naturally designed with red stigma and yellow anthers.

The flowering evergreen shrub is tough against deer, so that you may use it as a bed, border, or foundation in front of your house without worry from stray animals.

It likes soil that is consistently wet but drains well. It will like it more if the soil is rich and treated.

When it comes to strong winds, it rather chooses a well-protected area than being swayed heavily.

It will tolerate being sheltered but more in full sun.

It must be watered thoroughly until winter when you can greatly reduce it during its initial growth.

Despite being tolerant of other conditions, it is sensitive to changing temperature.

If you have started growing it in full sun or partial shade, you better not change it halfway through the growing time.

Else, it will affect its blooming time and see bud drops.

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10. Chinese Snowball (Viburnum Macrocephalum)

Size

Native to mainland China, the Chinese snowball Viburnum is a woody evergreen shrub that produces a cluster of flowers in round form.

The flowers come as green but quickly turns white.

The white and round form of its flower makes it worthy of being called snowball.

Each little white flowers are 1.25 wide and 8 inches in a cluster. The inflorescence has no fragrance.

The shrub is hardy to USDA zones 6-9. It has a medium growth rate and has moderate care required.

It grows well to direct sunlight but can prosper in partial shades, too, with a minimum of 2 hours of direct sun.

It prefers slightly acidic soil that has good drainage.

Watering it in moderation can keep its preferred soil to be moist.

Chinese snowball is resistant to damage by deer and can attract beautiful butterflies in the garden.

However, It is not resilient to cold winds and asks for protection instead.

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11. Carol Mackie (Daphne X Burkwoodii)

Size

A variegated Daphne shrub, Carol Mackie, is the most popular Daphne evergreen in mild climates.

The leaves of the shrub are green outlined with yellow to creamy white lines.

In full bloom, it bears white to pink flowers in masses forming tubular shoots.

It is grown hardy in zones 4-9.

Daphne’s are fastidious shrubs that don’t appreciate replanting once established.

It is better to be careful planting it with the long-term garden landscape in mind.

It does well in full sun and on a partial screen as long as the soil in its area has good drainage.

Though it likes a moist environment, overwatering can cause root rot.

Matured Carol Mackie is drought tolerant and cannot be damaged by deer.

It is impressive, but a flaw is its habit of suddenly dying without a probable reason.

Another thing, they are weak against snow, and the damages can be fatal to the Daphne.

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Related post: 10 Stunning Yellow Shrubs To Add To Your Landscaping

12. Camellia (Camellia Japonica)

Size

Maybe one of the most popular evergreens, Camellia shrubs grow best in cold climates.

It is a winter-hardy plant that can tolerate temperatures limited to 10 degrees F.

The cold temperatures of fall and winter can promote its flowering.

Flowers in bloom may be white, pink, red, yellow, and lavender; the leaves are oval and glossy green.

Camellias are not very flexible to change of environment.

Some other plants may be brought in and out of the house but not Camellias.

They prefer a bright spot in dappled sunlight and a wide area where it can freely spread.

It will require protection from the direct heat of the afternoon sun and strong winds too.

In terms of soil, it likes a moist acidic one that is well fertilized. As for drainage, it prefers soil that drains well.

Camellias are not okay where standing water is though it enjoys moist soil.

In reality, this plant has shallow roots and will benefit from mulching.

Camellias are native to China, Korea, and Japan.

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FAQs

Are All The Evergreen Shrubs I Should Plant Green?

No, some plants are blue, red, or purple. The choice is yours. However, you should carefully study your landscape to match it before deciding on the plant variety.

What Should Be The Distance Between My Plants And My House?

Some plants spread wide, considering their growth span. Ideally, plant the shrub 5 feet from the house.

How Are Shrubs Propagated?

Depending on the species of the shrub, you may start from seeds or through division. You can buy them in stores in containers too.

What Is The Growth Rate Of Shrubs?

There slow or fast growers. Shrubs that have a rapid growth rate mature in a month. The slower ones can take years.

How Long Does An Evergreen Shrub Live?

Evergreens have a generally long lifespan. It can take 10 or more years. Conifers can live up to 100 years!

Related post: 3 Simple Ways on How To Propagate Landscaping Bamboo Plants

Conclusion

Shrubs can be the good front liners in your yard.

They can be trimmed handsomely too. Make sure your hedge trimmer blades are sharp, as it will make your landscaping job a lot easier.

If you like all-year colors, evergreen shrubs are the ones you need.

Always follow their care facts, and you’ll see yourself enticed by how beautiful your front landscape can be.

Also, know your zone so you won’t waste your time cultivating a plant that won’t thrive.

You also want to consider their growth spans on how long the evergreen shrub will live.

Evergreen shrubs for the front of your house are a classic and modern design that will never go out of style.

Lindsey Hyland

Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.

Best shrubs for the front of the house |

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Planting one of the best shrubs for the front of the house in your front yard will imbue the entrance to your home with character and personality, creating structure, a refuge for wildlife and a frame for your front porch.  

Introducing greenery and foliage to your front yard ideas will increase the curb appeal, while adding flowering shrubs will bring with them beauty and fragrance in equal measure. When planted in the right location, the right shrubs for the front of the house can also be used to provide privacy, block unsightly views and reduce noise pollution – so working them into your front yard landscaping ideas is a must.

‘When choosing a shrub for your front yard – pay more attention to your local hardiness zone than anything else. Your hardiness zone determines which shrubs will survive and thrive in your front yard,’ says Elle Meager, founder and CEO of Outdoor Happens .

Shrubs for the front of the house

There are species of shrubs for the front of the house to suit almost any type of home and garden. From towering specimens that are great for achieving your garden privacy ideas, to the prettiest floral varieties and the best low growing shrubs for the front of the house to incorporate into your small front garden ideas, adding one of these shrubs will help you to create a warm welcome to your home.  

The best shrubs for the front of the house are also great companions for the best trees for front yards, as together they will add height, color and texture to the front of your home. Landscaping with evergreens is also the most environmentally friendly option.

1. Best floral shrub for the front of the house

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Shrub roses make for stunning front yard cottage garden ideas. Unlike other types of roses, shrub roses have a bushy appearance making them a great addition to front yard flower bed ideas as well as to rose gardens. 

According to experts at David Austen : 'Shrub roses look best when planted in groups of three or more of the same variety. They will then grow together to form one dense shrub, which will provide a more continuous display and make a more definite statement in the border.'

If growing shrub roses, then it is important that you know how to prune roses. 'For bush and shrub roses prune down to half their height in spring and remove all dead wood,' advises Period Living garden expert Leigh Clapp. 'Don’t, however, prune English shrub roses too hard over the first couple of years, until they have established, to help the stems mature and support the blooms.'

2. Best low growing shrub for the front of the house

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If you only have a small front yard, then looking for low growing shrubs for the front of the house will be a better option. Despite only having a small footprint, lavender makes a big impression. Lavender are great low growing shrubs for the front of the house and has a signature fragrance that offers a warm welcome as you approach your front door. 

'Though it can only grow about one foot in height, its 2 inch wide blossoms are loved by butterflies and bees,' says gardening expert Lindsey Hyland of Urban Organic Yield . This makes them a great choice if you are trying to incorporate more wildlife garden ideas into your front yard.

A staple of front yard walkway ideas, 'lavender is a popular choice for foundation plantings and when established, they are drought tolerant plants, but they are best placed in full sun,' continues Lindsey. Planting drought tolerant shrubs in the front of the house will help to keep your front yard even during the driest summers.

3. Best shrub for the front of the house for a show-stopping display

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Part of the rhododendron family, azaleas are beautiful flowering shrubs that are favored for their long-lasting blooms. Popular plants for flower bed ideas, azaleas are great shrubs for the front of the house as their large size makes a bold impression. 'The azalea features long, leathery, egg-shaped leaves as well as showy white, magenta pink flowers with ruffled petals. This outstanding flower can become the focal point of every garden,' says Victoria Kuchinskaya, a plant physiologist for the NatureID app .

If deciding to grow azalea shrubs for the front of the house, it is also important that you know how to prune azaleas to enjoy the best from them.

4. Best evergreen shrubs for the front of the house

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Evergreen shrubs are one of the best shrubs for the front of the house as they offer year-round character and interest to your front garden ideas.

'Winter Gem Boxwood shrub is a common type of low-growing shrub that is perfect for growing at the front of your house,' says Shannon Bernadin, botanist and creator of The African Garden . 'It is a dense and bushy shrub that is evergreen and super easy to maintain. It will provide greenery to the front of your house all year round.'

Plus, boxwood shrubs are one of the best low growing shrubs for the front of the house.

5. Best winter interest shrubs for the front of the house

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Holly shrubs can be grown as either a small tree or a shrub and is a great addition to the front of the house. Characterized by dark green, sharp leaves, they are great evergreen trees for gardens and can also be grown into a hedge to provide garden privacy.

Holly comes into its own in the winter, with its bright red berries adding vibrancy to your garden during the bleakest winter months. As well as providing aesthetic interest, the berries are also great for feeding birds in winter.

'Another tremendous benefit of holly shrubs is that they come in many cultivars. Whether you live in North Carolina or frosty New England – you can find a holly shrub that will acclimate to your area,' says Elle Meager. 'However, one word of warning: holly shrub cultivars vary substantially in their size. Some maintain a height of only a few feet, while others skyrocket to over 30 feet.’

6. Best colorful shrub for the front of the house

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Hydrangeas are unusual in the fact that their color is defined by the soil pH. 'An acid soil ( pH below 7) will usually produce flower color closer to blue, whereas an alkaline soil (pH above 7) will produce pinker flowers,' explains Victoria Kuchinskaya. Hydrangeas can be grown either in the ground or in a pot, making them a great choice for small front garden ideas.

Most hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs, however there are some evergreen varieties that can make for great shrubs for the front of the house. 'Hydrangeas are a versatile choice with an array of options on offer to match your color scheme and work beautifully in more formal front gardens. They prefer sun in the morning with some shade in the afternoon,' says garden expert Leigh Clapp.

7. Best floral shrub for the front of the house

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Part of the verbena family, Lantana camara is a fast-growing shrub that is native to Central and South America. Characterized by its colorful flowers in carnival shades, its pretty blooms catch the eye and produce a sweet tutti frutti scent. Typically growing around 2m tall, it creates a bold statement that will make it a welcome addition to the front of the house. 

Furthermore, they're a great addition to other wildlife garden ideas. 'All butterflies and bees go mad for this, and it's incredibly easy to grow in a pot or border,' says plantswoman Sarah Raven .

8. Best flowering winter shrub for the front of the house

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Camellias have seen a rise in popularity in recent years, quickly becoming favorite shrubs for the front of the house. Loved for their flamboyant flowers, they are one of the first flowers, offering a cheery display through the darker months of the year. 

'Camellias have been hybridized to create more durable flowers and longer bloom times and the pink 'Winter's Star' is lovely in late fall and early winter. Camellia 'Winter's Snowman" blooms earlier in white, usually in October or November where we are in Washington,' says Robert Bell, principal at Bell Design .

As such, camellias are one of the best winter plants for pots and borders, and would make a stunning container display on the front porch. If growing these beautiful shrubs, it is vital to know how to prune camellias to get the best out of these pretty plants.

9. The best wildife shrubs for the front of the house bush (Buddleja davidii)

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If you are looking for shrubs for the front of the house that will help you to incorporate wildlife garden ideas into your plot, then buddleja is a must.

'Perfect for adding to front yard cottage garden ideas, buddleja can be grown as an ornamental plant pretty much anywhere,' says Victoria Kuchinskaya. 'Furthermore, it is fast-growing and not in the least fastidious. Unfortunately, however, Buddleja davidii is considered to be an invasive species in some U.S. regions so be careful before you add it into your garden.'

10. Best shrub for the front of the house for privacy

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You can't help but fall in love with the cheery yellow color of forsythia's flowers. They are characterful shrubs for the front of the house that will brighten even the greyest spring day. 

'They offer speedy growth, beautiful blossoms in the spring. Because they grow so fast and offer thick foliage, they make unrivaled screeners – especially if you want a privacy hedge in front of your home quickly,' says Elle Meager. In fact forsythia are one of the best fast-growing hedges for both privacy and interest.

'You'll need to prune your forsythia regularly because they grow seemingly overnight! Expect them to grow well over 12 inches per year. Some may reach a height of up to 10 feet – and some even slightly taller. However, there are smaller cultivars that are great for incorporating into your small front garden ideas,' continues Elle.

Which small shrubs for the front of the house look good year-round?

Evergreen small shrubs look good all year round. Since they don't lose their leaves they continually add life to the front of your house. Holly, camellias and boxwoods are all good options that bring year round interest to the front of your house.

What shrubs look good in front of the house?

Lavender, shrub roses, forsythia and hydrangeas are all shrubs that look good in front of the house. 'I always recommend a variety of shrubs, plants, and flowers for the front of your home – especially if you intend on building a privacy screen or supporting wildlife,' says Elle Meager.

Having graduated with a first class degree in English Literature four years ago, Holly started her career as a features writer and sub-editor at Period Living magazine, Homes & Gardens' sister title. Working on Period Living brought with it insight into the complexities of owning and caring for period homes, from interior decorating through to choosing the right windows and the challenges of extending. This has led to a passion for traditional interiors, particularly the country-look. Writing for the Homes & Gardens website as a content editor, alongside regular features for Period Living and Country Homes & Interiors magazines, has enabled her to broaden her writing to incorporate her interests in gardening, wildlife and nature. 

list of plants for garden landscaping

When choosing evergreens for the garden, most prefer needles. There is nothing surprising in this, because coniferous plants retain their appearance for a long time, they are easy to cut, so they are perfect for creating hedges or “living” sculptures. However, needles are not the only crop that can please the eye in winter, because there are many horticultural crops that perfectly tolerate even severe frosts.

Evergreens adorn our gardens in any season, at any time of the year

Evergreens in landscape design

Western

  • Yew
  • Cedar
  • Hem
  • Juniper
  • Cypress
  • Deciduous trees and shrubs – description with photo

    The most spectacular garden compositions are based on a harmonious combination of various forms of evergreens

    Winter-hardy plants are planted not only in open areas, but also in flowerbeds and flower beds. Evergreens are combined with many annual or perennial crops. In flowerbeds, it is better to plant them in such a way that they act as the main decoration of the created composition. This is important, because otherwise they will not be noticeable against the background of those plants that “fall asleep” for the winter.

    Evergreens can improve the microclimate. Such cultures relieve the site of monotony, go well with other garden crops.

    Coniferous evergreen trees and shrubs - description with photo

    The choice of evergreens is very rich. Among them are not only conifers, but also evergreen deciduous shrubs and trees. Different in size, growth rate and height, evergreen crops will be appropriate not only in large areas. Low-growing varieties are no less popular, especially when the size of the plot does not allow planting other types of crops. The list of evergreen conifers is long, consider the most common.

    When choosing conifers, you should pay attention to the most unpretentious plants that do not require special care.

    The popularity rating among conifers is headed by spruce

    Pine

    Despite the dense crown, pines begin to thin out over time. The trunk of the tree is quite long, and the bark has a dark brown tint. As a rule, there are no problems with pruning, only the crown is given the desired shape in the summer, until the movement of the juice has stopped. To obtain side shoots, pinching is carried out in the spring. It is not recommended to choose pine trees for making a hedge, as they thin out, which can ruin the entire composition as a whole.

    Pine trees are drought-resistant and thrive on poor sandy soils

    Mountain pine with a squat crown is often planted on alpine hills. Thanks to a large selection of varieties and a variety of decorative forms, arborvitae today can be found in almost every landscape project.

    Western thuja does not do well as an ornamental shrub and natural hedge

    Along with tall thujas, there are low-growing and spherical plants. The latter grows well in the shade of tall trees

    Thuja occidentalis is the best suited for creating a green hedge. It grows rapidly and after 3-4 years allows you to get a full-fledged "live" fence.

    Since the thuja has a shallow root system, it can be transplanted at any time of the year. However, the ideal period for this would be spring. You need to know that thuja does not grow quickly in order to get an even crown, it needs uniform lighting.

    Yew

    This plant can rightly be called a long-liver among evergreen crops. The tree has been growing for three millennia. It is characterized by rich green needles, as well as small red cones. Yew loves the shade, so a site where there is not enough sun will be an ideal place for him.

    Yew is the leader among conifers in terms of shade tolerance and unpretentiousness to the soil

    Bark, needles and cones contain toxic substances, it is strictly forbidden to eat them. Wash your hands thoroughly after completing the work.

    The yew is easy to cut, which makes it possible to give it absolutely any shape.

    Cedar

    Like other conifers, cedar is decorative all year round. Of course, this is a real decoration of the site, because its bright green branches look especially beautiful against the backdrop of white snow.

    Siberian and European cedar are distinguished. The first is more suitable for mild climates, the second can easily withstand the most severe frosts

    Cedar is considered an unpretentious plant, its stem is small but powerful. In height, the tree can reach 40 m, and its diameter is about 2 m.

    Despite its impressive size, this evergreen tree will look good not only on a large plot. A free-standing cedar will also become a real decoration of even a compact area.

    Hem

    This is a small evergreen tree from the pine family. Despite the fact that hemlock is a short tree, this evergreen plant attracts attention with its beautiful wide crown. In landscape design, hemlock is often chosen if it is necessary to add zest to a rocky area.

    Canadian Hemlock has a weeping crown shape and prefers moist, fertile soils

    Even in a small area, this conifer will look great. Hemlock can be planted both separately and together with other conifers.

    Many people make the mistake of planting conifers too close together. Despite its large growth, hemlock takes a lot of nutrients from the ground. It's worth considering!

    Juniper

    There are coniferous plants that have both shrub and tree forms. Juniper is one of them. Its height can reach 3 m, but the tree can grow up to 12 m. The bark of seedlings is mostly reddish-brown in color, in an adult plant it is brown in color.

    Junipers grow well both in sun and partial shade. The photo shows a spectacular composition of juniper and fern

    Rocky junipers look great as single compositions

    The needles of the juniper are in pairs, between the conifers you can see large cones that look like berries. Ephedra can be planted together with other ornamental plants, such as tapeworm. Juniper fits perfectly into various styles of landscape design. It is planted in flower beds, lawns are filled with it, and the conifer also looks great as a hedge.

    Cypress

    When planting cypress on the site, you should know that this conifer does not like shade. Otherwise, the tree is unpretentious, can be planted on any soil, easily tolerate drought. Separately, it is worth highlighting the types of cypress that have a pyramidal and curved crown. Very often, a monumental cypress can be seen on the territory of sanatoriums and recreation centers.

    Cypress - a resident of the southern regions and does not tolerate severe frosts

    Deciduous trees and shrubs - description with photo

    Evergreen deciduous trees and shrubs native to tropical countries, most of them require warmth. Consider the most popular types.

    Boxwood

    This is a small tree, rarely exceeding 10-12 m in height, the leaves are small and dense. In the axils of the leaflets you can see small white flowers forming a spikelet. Boxwood is ideal for framing roads, and thanks to easy pruning, the tree can be given a variety of shapes. However, it grows rather slowly.

    Boxwood is often recommended for beginners, because it is extremely difficult to ruin it by negligence. The plant is not afraid of both short-term drought and waterlogging of the soil

    Guayacum

    This is a low plant (6-10 m) with a diameter of 0.7 m. The tree has many curved branches that form a dome shape. The leaves are a rich green hue, leathery dense. Guayacum is unpretentious, tolerates drought well, and can be planted on any soil.

    Guaiac tree is cultivated for ornamental and medicinal purposes

    Laurel

    A low tree with dense glossy leaves that have a pleasant aroma. All parts of the laurel contain essential oils. The flowers are small, the fruits are similar to berries.

    Laurels are ideal for shearing, suitable for creating hedges and garden compositions of the most diverse forms. The leaves are dark green in color. Inflorescences in diameter no more than 6 cm. This is a heat-loving plant, all year round in open areas can only be located in the south, where the air temperature does not fall below + 8 degrees.

    Oleander is used as a specimen, in group plantings, when decorating alleys, stairs and terraces

    Star anise

    An evergreen shrub that can grow up to 15 m in height. Leaves are dense, their length reaches 15 cm. Flowers come in different shades: burgundy , red, yellow. Star-shaped fruits. The plant is unpretentious, but prefers partial shade. To form a beautiful bush, it is regularly pruned.

    Star anise prefers partial shade, blooms from March to May

    Camellia

    This evergreen shrub will make a spectacular addition to any garden. Dark green foliage retains its appearance throughout the year. Camellia flowers, which are very similar to roses, come in different shades: red, white, pink. Due to the rapid development, the shrub will embellish the site in a short time.

    Blooming camellia brings life to any corner of the garden

    Japanese camellia often used as a hedge

    Ivy

    With this climbing plant, you can create amazing compositions that will transform any site. The plant is tall, grows up to 30 m. More often, common ivy or the Hedera helix species is used in landscape design. Another famous species is Hedera colchica. Ivy has large leaves (up to 25 cm) of green, yellow color, and brown color is also found. In autumn you can see umbrella-shaped inflorescences, in spring black berries appear.

    Many landscapers choose ivy for vertical gardening

    This evergreen creeper is often used to decorate fences, terraces and balconies.

    Holly

    The leaves of the holly are dense with teeth on the edges, saturated green. The plant also ripens berries, which come in different shades: black, white, yellow, red. Among the decorative forms, it is worth highlighting the common holly, which has a domed shape. The culture is not demanding, it makes excellent hedges. Planted singly or in groups with other plants.

    Bright holly berries remain on the branches until spring

    Olive

    Deciduous shrub resembling a small tree. It reaches a height of 2-4 m, the branches are grayish-brown in color, on the shoots there are spines 5 cm long. The foliage is silvery in color and has an ovoid shape.

    European olive can grow in one place for hundreds of years

    This is quite a spectacular plant, so it can often be seen on the site. It is used both for single plantings and in a group with other crops. Thanks to the unusual color of the leaves, the plant can act as a background, making other plants look advantageous.

    When planting evergreen trees and shrubs on the site, they should be properly cared for. Only in this way will plants decorate the site all year round.

    Video: Evergreen hedge

    Photos of examples of the use of evergreens in landscape design

    Plants for a small garden - 9 perennials that do not need much space

    If you consider the land plots of six acres familiar to Russian summer residents to be very small and unsuitable for growing a full-fledged garden, then what about those who have even less land, but still want beauty under the windows? Don't worry - anything is possible!

    How to successfully equip a small garden plot with your own hands? We will help you. If we have already written about how to visually try to increase the available area using the tricky tricks of landscape designers, today we will talk about what perennial crops can be placed on it.

    Principles for selecting plants for a small area

    When selecting plants for your miniature garden, it is important to remember a few principles.

    Firstly, "if the planet is very small, and there are many baobabs, they will tear it to pieces" - remember this saying of the Little Prince from the immortal work of Exupery? This postulate is absolutely true for owners of miniature plots - do not plant huge baobabs in a mini-garden, and noticeably limit the list of other plants, do not plant in a row everything that the eye has stopped at in a garden store.

    If you definitely want a big tree, let it be one, for other crops (2-3 types of shrubs and 2-4 types of flowering perennials), limit yourself to standard, weeping or dwarf options that do not take up much space even in adulthood.

    Secondly, be sure to take into account the principle of verticality - the garden can be developed in several planes with the help of openwork fences and walls, trellises, pergolas, facades, fencing of arbors, arches and other structures striving upwards. So, we take into service climbing and climbing plants that can be launched along the supports.

    Landscape elements are also suitable for this purpose, on which you can place plants from top to bottom both independently and in flowerpots - alpine slides, stone cascades, terraces, ledges, steps, etc.

    Thirdly, instead of a solid deaf dull fence, you can plant a hedge - and protect from the views of neighbors, and add greenery to the site.

    Fourthly, don't forget about bright colorful accents and spots - a small, and even "flat" area in terms of color, what could be more dull and bleak?

    Fifth, take into account the properties of plants that will be planted in a small garden:

    • most of them must be fast-growing in order to actively fill the garden at first with at least greenery;
    • they should not be aggressive so as not to force out their neighbors;
    • they should have the maximum number of advantages, and, preferably, "distributed" over all seasons, so as not to leave ugly "bald patches" in a small space from time to time - that is, if you choose between a culture with beautiful flowers, and one that has which, in addition to them, also has edible fruits, decorative foliage or bright berries that remain on the branches all winter, of course, it is worth stopping at the latter.

    Which plants are suitable for a mini-garden?

    So, with the general rules for designing a small area in front of the house, the question now arises about the specific types of those plants that we mentioned. We offer you several win-win options to choose from.

    Western thuja

    These slow growing compact plants that tolerate pruning and shaping are just about the perfect choice for a small area. Of course, here we are only talking about low varieties of conifers - Golden Globe, Hertz Midget, Rheingold, Pendula, Miky, Danica, Globosa, Mirjam etc.

    In adulthood, such arborvitae do not grow above one and a half meters, they are decorative (you can choose varieties with different needle colors), frost-resistant, do not require painstaking care.

    In addition, arborvitae are perfectly combined with many other plants that you can settle in a small garden - with peonies, climbing roses, semi-shrub clematis, perennial grasses, ornamental apple trees, bright forsythia or rhododendrons . .. Thujas also look great as a hedge - however, for these purposes, it is worth choosing those varieties that in adulthood will be narrow and quite high.

    As for cultivation and care, it is possible to plant thuja on the site from early spring to late autumn. She prefers semi-shaded places without drafts, without close occurrence of groundwater. It is especially important to care for young thujas in the first years after planting. Trees need minimal care - weeding, watering, loosening, protection from the bright sun and severe frosts. Starting from the third year, it is advisable to feed the thuja with special fertilizers and, if necessary, carry out sanitary pruning.

    Barberry Thunberg

    This deciduous shrub is particularly beautiful in autumn thanks to its brightly colored leaves and long-lasting coral-red fruit. Barberry Thunberg is extremely decorative and has many different varieties, differing primarily in the size of the bush, the shape of the crown and the color of the glossy leaves.

    This plant is resistant to diseases and pests, photophilous, drought-resistant and winter-hardy. It looks good in group and solitary plantings, can act as a hedge or become a backdrop for flower arrangements.

    Barberry is also unpretentious in care. It is planted on light, air- and moisture-permeable soils, in a place protected from drafts. Except for a long drought, this plant does not need watering. Occasionally, the soil around the bushes can be slightly loosened. Before winter, it is mulched, and once a year in the spring, organic fertilizers are applied. Pruning (also carried out in the spring) is needed only by bushes with a loose crown in order to form it and shoots frozen over the winter.

    Medium-sized varieties of Thunberg barberry are suitable for a small garden - Aurea, Golden Ring, Admiration, Green Carpet, Atropurpurea Nana, Orange Rocket etc.

    Hydrangea paniculata

    This flowering plant will perfectly decorate a shady and damp corner of the garden, pleasing the eye with abundant and long flowering. Openwork pyramid inflorescences of such hydrangeas come in a wide variety of colors - from white and pink to lemon and even bicolors. This culture is ideal for single and group plantings, looks good next to conifers, hostas, ferns and other shade-tolerant plants.

    In a small garden plot, you can plant the following fairly compact varieties of panicled hydrangea: Bombshell, Little Lime, Bobo, Dharuma, Last Post, Brussels Lace , etc.

    This plant is quite unpretentious for the middle belt, it responds well to fertilizing and watering. Some varieties are characterized by high frost resistance and the ability to quickly recover after the loss of a large part of the shoots.

    Hydrangea paniculata is planted in spring, in a site with fairly acidic soil and mild sun. Hydrangea does not tolerate stagnant water or drought, so watering should be regular. As well as top dressing - otherwise you will not achieve lush flowering. Also, for abundant flowering before the start of the growing season, the bushes must be severely cut annually.

    Parthenocissus

    This fast growing climbing plant is ideal for camouflaging solid vertical surfaces or for decorating designer garden structures such as arches, gazebos, etc. The variety of its species with leaves of various shapes and colors allows you to create with its participation a variety of compositions.

    Wild grapes are not capricious. In the first year of development, he needs abundant watering, and before planting, humus and complex fertilizers should be added to the pit. And all other years, the plant requires almost no care - it grows well both in the sun and in the shade, unassuming to the composition of the soil, without shelter it endures even the most severe winters. The main care for this vine will be to form the type of crown you need and trim the extra lashes.

    Dwarf lilac

    Lilac has long been loved by our gardeners for its high decorativeness and indescribable aroma of flowering plants. And with the advent of its dwarf varieties with a height of about 1. 5-2 m, it became quite possible to place this beauty on any, even the smallest site. For such plantings, you can choose, for example, the following varieties of Meyer lilac and common lilac: Palibin, Josie, Red Pixie, Bloomerang Ash, Monge, Madame Charles Suchet, Schoolgirl, Captain Balte .

    Lilacs are planted in August-September. In the first 3-4 years, care (watering, fertilizing, loosening, preventive treatments from pests and diseases) should be regular so that the root system of the plant gains strength and grows. Lilac does not need shelter for the winter.

    Flowering of dwarf lilac, depending on the variety, will begin on the 3-7th year after planting and, with good care, will only increase in the future. The only thing that is required from the gardener is to carry out formative pruning and cut out the root growth every spring, otherwise the bush will grow strongly and become less attractive.

    Lilac in a small area will look good as a hedge, in splendid isolation or next to a flower garden in the same color scheme.

    Daylily

    This beautifully flowering perennial can, without losing its decorative effect, grow in one place for about 10 years. Its flowers come in a wide range of shapes, colors and sizes, and its flowering period is about 2 months, so there will be plenty of options for combining with other plants in your small garden.

    Some of the shorter varieties of daylilies include: Little Starlet, Penny Earned, Baby Blues, Little Night Jewel, Fantasme, Micro Mini, Got the Blues, Little Damsel, Little Showman, Blooddrop, Show Me Dwarf .

    This plant should be planted in neutral to slightly acid soils, rich in organic matter and slightly loose and moist.

    For dark-colored daylilies (purple, burgundy, etc.), choose partly shaded areas, while light-colored varieties prefer a sunny site.

    The daylily dislikes only close occurrence of groundwater. Otherwise, the plant is quite unpretentious, adapts well to a wide range of growing conditions and responds with gratitude to any additional care manipulations (mulching, top dressing, etc. ).

    Dwarf spruce

    Slow-growing dwarf spruce - yes, yes, there are such - a great option for a mini-garden. Instead of a spreading tree 4-5 m high, today you can buy a seedling, which even in adulthood will not grow above 1-2.5 m, giving only about 10 cm of growth per year. Tell me, is it tempting to admire a neat Christmas tree growing under the window, which in winter can be decorated for the holidays?

    You can choose from standard spruce, cushion-shaped spruce or regular spruce – it all depends on the type you choose and your design ideas. So, for the design of rocky gardens and the formation of low borders, cushion-shaped varieties Zagwizdze and Nidiformis are perfect. Dwarf spruce Little Gem has a dense spherical crown, and varieties Will's Zwerg have a dense narrow conical crown. There are even creeping forms of dwarf firs, for example, variety Nana .

    Spruces should be planted in sunny or semi-shady places. Remember that they are demanding on air and soil moisture, do not tolerate salinity - choose moist, fertile, well-drained soils, do not forget about artificial irrigation and abundant watering in the dry season. At first, you need to protect the young plant from spring frosts and sunburn. Also, dwarf spruce will gratefully respond to top dressing. If you decide that the crown is already well formed, add an annual pinching of young shoots to the care of the tree.

    Climbing rose

    Climbing roses can become a bright accent of your small garden and simply transform the space by decorating arches, arbors, hedges and other vertical surfaces. A monochrome background like a dark coniferous thicket or a brick wall is great for bushes, although other plants like silver wormwood, geyhera, lavender, gypsophila, sage, or the same climbing grapes can become good neighbors.

    Moreover, contrary to the widespread belief that any roses are "capricious", in fact, it is enough to follow the basic rules for caring for a plant so that it feels good and pleases with lush flowering.

    Advising the best varieties of climbing roses is a thankless task, there are hundreds of options for every taste and color, everyone will choose the right rambler or climber (climbing) for their area. Let's talk a little about the process of caring for the queen of flowers.

    Climbing roses are best planted in autumn in a well-lit area with loose, fertile soil. During the growing season, one should not forget about regular, but moderate watering and loosening the soil, starting from the second year, add specialized or complex top dressing. To get a beautiful crown with many flowers, be sure to prune. For the winter, remove the whips from the supports, gently bend them to the ground and cover them with spruce branches.

    Mock orange (garden jasmine)

    This deciduous shrub is especially decorative in spring and summer in a cloud of incredibly fragrant flowers. For a small garden area, it is better to choose undersized varieties of mock orange - Dwarf, Gnome, Pompom, Blizzard, Komsomolets, Enchantement, Manteau d'Hermine, Bouquet Blanche .

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