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Small types of evergreen trees


15 Exceptional Choices for the Yard and Garden

If you’re looking for evergreen trees that stay naturally short-statured, have no maintenance requirements beyond watering, and stay green all winter long, you’ve come to the right place! While finding all of these traits in a single tree might seem too good to be true, it isn’t. In fact, there are lots of dwarf evergreen trees that offer all of these benefits and more to small-space gardeners. They’re also great choices for anyone who doesn’t want to spend their weekends pruning overgrown plants. Before I introduce you to 15 of my favorite small evergreen trees, let’s take a look at some of the perks these plants provide.

Why plant small evergreen trees?

There are many benefits of planting small evergreen trees in your yard and garden.

Dwarf evergreen trees, like this compact blue spruce, offer so much to the landscape.

Top 15 dwarf evergreen trees for small gardens

While there are hundreds of compact evergreens for small gardens, these 15 are exceptional varieties I’ve personally worked with. As a horticulturist, I see lots of evergreen trees and shrubs worth growing. But, those on this list are among the finest small-statured varieties available to home gardeners.

1. The Blues Weeping Colorado Spruce (Picea pungens ‘The Blues’): This amazing and extremely hardy variety of weeping blue spruce is a total show-stopper. Though it’s fast growing, it tops out at just 10 feet in height with a width between 5 and 10 feet. The blue-green needles are thickly packed on downward hanging branches. Hardy down to -50 degrees F, ‘The Blues’ is among the most deer resistant of the dwarf evergreen trees. It thrives in full sun conditions but will also tolerate some shade.

The weeping habit of ‘The Blues’ adds an extra layer of interest to the garden.

2. Hinoki Cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa):  A compact, extremely slow-growing, soft-needled evergreen with a somewhat pyramidal form, Hinoki cypress have fan-shaped foliage that’s lush and dark green. It gives the plant an almost feathery texture. Winter hardy down to -30 degrees F, Hinoki cypress are 10 to 12  feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide when twenty years old. This evergreen requires full to partial sun and well-drained soils. If you’d like an even smaller version of this plant that tops out at just 5 feet tall, look for the cultivar ‘Nana Gracilis’

This Hinoki cypress has been pruned into a three-balled topiary, but its natural form is gorgeous, too.

3. Blue Wonder Blue Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Blue Wonder’):  This sweet little spruce is winter hardy down to -40 degrees F. It has beautiful blue-gray foliage and a lovely compact form. This dwarf evergreen is an excellent alternative to dwarf Alberta spruce and it looks great in winter container plantings, too. Slowly reaching 6 feet in height, ‘Blue Wonder’ is only 3 feet wide at maturity and has a naturally dense conical form.

4. Dwarf Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea ‘Nana’):  A squat, rounded fir with lush needles, this compact plant deserves a place on every list of dwarf evergreen trees. Hardy to -40 degrees F, the slow growth rate of this variety makes it great for folks who don’t have the time or inclination to regularly prune their shrubs. Like other balsam firs, this compact selection has dark green needles and densely packed branches. It reaches 5 to 6 feet wide after many years of growth.

5. Chalet Swiss Stone Pine (Pinus cembra ‘Chalet’):  Swiss Stone pines have long been a favorite of mine, and this dwarf variety is no different. When it comes to dwarf evergreen trees, ‘Chalet’ has so much to offer! Slow growing with a beautiful form, this small evergreen tree is columnar in shape and densely branched. The needles are long and blue-green, lending a soft look to this compact evergreen. With a hardiness down to -40 degrees F, ‘Chalet’ is an exceptional choice that reaches just 8 feet in height with a width of 4 feet.

No matter what their variety, Swiss Stone pines are among the finest dwarf evergreen trees on the market.

6. Tip Top Dwarf Swiss Stone Pine (Pinus cembra ‘Tip Top’):  So, just to prove I wasn’t kidding about loving Swiss Stone pines, here’s another variety of these dwarf evergreen trees worth planting in small gardens. ‘Tip Top’ is extremely hardy (-40 degrees F) and downright adorable. In 10 years it reaches just 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. The white undersides of the needles, combined with their long form and soft feel, make this evergreen look like a shaggy green Muppet. Its growth habit is narrow and conical, and like all of the other dwarf evergreen trees on this list, ‘Tip Top’ requires zero pruning to maintain its small stature.

7. Dwarf Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika ‘Nana’):  The dense growth of this compact evergreen tree makes it a super choice for small garden beds and foundation plantings. Like other Serbian spruces, this dwarf form has green needles with white striping on the undersides, giving the tree a soft appearance. Slow-growing and reaching a maximum height of just 3 to 5 feet with an equal width, dwarf Serbian spruce thrives in garden zones with winter temperatures down to -30 degrees F. Loosely pyramidal in form with no pruning required.

Dwarf Serbian spruce does not grow large, and it’s a great small evergreen for a small yard.

8. Green Spire Euonymus (Euonymus japonicus ‘Green Spire’):  Winter hardy down to -10 degrees, ‘Green Spire’ euonymus is well behaved, giving it a more formal appearance than some other options. The glossy, green foliage is perfect for creating a narrow hedge or screen. Maxing out at 6 to 8 feet in height with a spread of just 1 to 2 feet, this naturally narrow shrub is a fast grower, too.

9. Green Arrow Weeping Alaska Cedar (Chamaecyparis nootakatensis ‘Green Arrow’):  Tall and narrow, ‘Green Arrow’ is one of the finest narrow evergreen trees for small yards and gardens. Of all the weeping Alaska cedars, ‘Green Arrow’ offers the most slender girth. Topping out at 20 feet in height and 1 foot wide, you might not consider it dwarf, but it’s super small footprint makes it great for even the tiniest of backyards. The weeping branches have soft foliage with a fan-like appearance. Winter hardy down to -20 degrees F, ‘Green Arrow’ makes a phenomenal addition to the garden.

The tall but narrow appearance of ‘Green Arrow’ weeping Alaska cedar is a show stopper, and it’s suited to even the smallest garden.

10. Green Penguin Dwarf Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris ‘Green Penguin‘):  A chunky, yet tidy dwarf evergreen, once you see ‘Green Penguin’ you’ll realize how it got its name. With new growth that’s feathery and older growth that’s long-needled, this dwarf scotch pine is very unique. It has a thick, pyramidal form that never has you reaching for your pruning shears, and ‘Green Penguin’ is hardy to -40 degrees F. Maximum height is 6 feet with a width equal to half its height.

11. Dwarf Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii ‘Kotobuki’):  Fully winter hardy to -20 degrees F, this needled evergreen reaches just 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide. The upright candles of new growth in the spring, coupled with its narrow growth habit, make ‘Kotobuki’ an excellent choice for containers and small gardens. Slow growing, with a dense structure, this deer-resistant evergreen has needles that are about half the length of regular Japanese black pines.

Japanese black pines are lovely trees, and the compact variety ‘Kotobuki’ is a prime choice for smaller landscapes.

12. Dwarf Pencil Point Juniper (Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’):  Evergreen and columnar in form, dwarf pencil point juniper is both unique and slow growing. With an average height of 5 feet and a width of just 1 foot, this sun-loving evergreen has blue-green needles. Female plants may produce blue “berries” in the fall as well. Its tapered form means it’s a great “exclamation point” accent plant for smaller landscapes. Winter hardy to -40 degrees F.

13. North Star Dwarf White Spruce (Picea glauca ‘North Star’):  Extremely hardy, this compact evergreen tree is pyramidal in shape and covered with green needles. Deer-resistant and hardy to -50 degrees F, ‘North Star’ tops out at 5 to 10 feet tall and 4 feet wide. It prefers full to partial sun and requires little to no pruning to maintain a neat-and-tidy shape. Easy to grow and tolerant of all but the wettest soils, ‘North Star’ is among the finest dwarf evergreen trees available.

‘North Star’ white spruce is a densely branched, beautiful compact evergreen.

14. Upright Japanese Plum Yew (Cephaloxatus harringtoniia ‘Fastigiata’):  This broad-needled evergreen is hardy to -10 degrees F. Its upright, slender growth habit maxes out at 8 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Though it’s non-flowering, Japanese plum yews have dark green needles that are densely spaced on bottlebrush-like, upright branches. Each needle is about 2 inches long. It thrives in full to partial sun, but prefers afternoon shade in hot southern regions during the summer months.

The upright branches of the Japanese plum yew mean it doesn’t take up much room in the garden.

15. Little Gem Dwarf Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’):  Like its full-sized kin, this compact southern magnolia is lush and attractive. The leaves are just as dark green and glossy as traditional southern magnolias, but they’re smaller in size. Large, white, perfumed flowers cover this columnar dwarf evergreen tree in late spring through summer. A second bloom may occur again in the fall in cooler climates. While at a mature height of 20 feet tall, ‘Little Gem’ certainly isn’t as petite as some of the other trees featured here. But, it is significantly smaller than a standard southern magnolia and is one of the finest dwarf evergreen trees available. Winter hardy down to 0 degrees F.

The ease of maintenance, beauty, and diversity of these dwarf evergreen trees is hard to deny. There’s no doubt making a home for one or more of them in your garden pays big dividends all year long.

For more on using compact plant varieties in your garden, check out the following articles:

What are your favorite compact evergreen trees? We’d love to hear about them in the comment section below.

18 Small or Dwarf Evergreen Trees For Your Garden (With Pictures)

Dwarf evergreen trees are small, compact trees that are perfect for small gardens or growing in containers. The beauty of planting small trees is that they require little maintenance, are green all year round and don’t take up much space in your yard. Even in large gardens, planting small dwarf evergreen trees can make beautiful garden landscape features.

Dwarf Evergreen Trees For Landscaping

There are plenty of types of dwarf evergreen trees to choose from and use in the landscape. There are dwarf spruce trees, small pine evergreen trees, miniature cypress trees, dwarf ornamental fir trees, or dwarf weeping trees to pick from.

By planting one or more compact dwarf evergreen trees you don’t have to worry about clearing leaves in the fall or trees that grow too tall for your garden.

In this article, you will find out about 15 beautiful ornamental dwarf evergreen trees for landscaping. First, let’s look at a few reasons to grow small evergreen trees in your garden or in containers.

Why Plant Dwarf Evergreen Trees in Your Garden?

Apart from their ornamental beauty, small compact evergreen trees require very little maintenance throughout the year.

For example, their short stature and compact nature mean they are easy to plant and don’t need extensive pruning. You also don’t have to worry about large root systems affecting your property. This makes small trees ideal for planting in small or narrow spaces.

Due to being evergreen trees, the dwarf varieties of these trees can give year-round privacy in your garden. While deciduous types of trees lose their foliage, dwarf evergreens will beautify your garden with green, silver, and even yellow colors in the middle of winter.

Also if you have a small garden and not much space to plant large trees, planting compact trees will not take too much space and will better fit your small-yard landscape design.

Small (Dwarf) Evergreen Trees for Your Garden With Pictures and Common Names

Let’s look in more detail at some popular varieties of ornamental dwarf varieties of firs, spruces, pines, cypress, and other evergreen trees.

Mugo Pine Tree

Pinus mugo ‘Mops’ (mugo pine) is an evergreen dwarf tree and it’s suited to even the smallest garden

Mugo pine is a great dwarf evergreen tree for small spaces. The mugo pine (scientific name: Pinus mugo) is a small type of conifer tree that is green all year. The Mugo Pine ‘Mops’ is one of the dwarf cultivars of this evergreen conifer variety. These small evergreen cultivars are also named “dwarf mountain pines.”

Dwarf Mugo pine is a compact tree that grows between 3 and 5 ft. (1 to 1.5 m) tall and has short compact branches. Mugo pines can also be planted to provide good ground cover and will grow in most types of soil. Mugo pine is an ideal compact evergreen for landscaping a garden. These small evergreen trees are good for rock gardens, foundation planting, front yard, or as a small evergreen shrub.

This type of small evergreen ornamental plant grows best in USDA planting zones 3-7 and enjoys partial shade. They can also survive harsh winters very well.

Read more: Types of Pine Trees

Green Spire Euonymus

Euonymus japonicus ‘Microphyllus’ is a great small evergreen for a small yard

The Green Spire Euonymus (Euonymus japonicus) is a small evergreen tree originating in the Far East. The dwarf cultivar is from the small tree called the Japanese Spindle or Evergreen Spindle.

Unlike the other dwarf evergreen trees on this list, the Green Spire isn’t a pine tree, conifer, or spruce. The small bushy tree has rich leafy foliage that stays green all year. The tree/shrub has many cultivars that produce dark green glossy leaves and also variegated cultivars which grow in vertical columns. You can use this small tree to form privacy hedges in your garden or use it as a small ornamental tree for flower beds.

This evergreen leafy tree can grow between 6 and 8 ft. (1.8 and 2.4 m). However with some pruning, you can train the tree to grow to the height you desire. The small compact tree grows well in USDA zones 6-9.

Dwarf Hinoki Cypress Tree

Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) ‘Nana_Gracilis’ is a beautiful compact evergreen that makes an excellent addition to the landscape

Hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa) is a slow-growing dwarf ornamental evergreen tree. This type of small cypress tree is native to Japan and it has a number of beautiful dwarf cultivars. In many countries, Hinoki cypress are evergreen trees that are planted in small gardens for their ornamental look and rich foliage.

Some of the smallest types of Hinoki cypress trees are as short as 12″ (30 cm)! However, not all of these “mini” trees are so small. Other cultivars of the dwarf variety grow between 3 ft. and 6 ft. (1-2 m). So, you just have to choose the right type of Hinoki dwarf evergreen to achieve your landscaping goals.

This evergreen miniature cypress tree has soft feathery needles and dark green foliage. The small hardy trees grow well in well-drained soil where they get full to partial sun.

Some of the most popular dwarf Hinoki cypress evergreen trees include ‘Kosteri,’ ‘Nana,’ ‘’Nana Gracilis,’ and ‘Spiralis.’

The Blues Weeping Colorado Spruce Tree

Picea pungens (blue weeping Colorado spruce tree) is a dwarf narrow tree which makes it an excellent choice for smaller landscapes or narrow spaces

The Blues Weeping Colorado Spruce (Picea pungens ‘The Blues’) is a stunning type of “silvery” small evergreen tree for a small garden. You can also grow this small spruce tree in a container to grace any entrance.

The dwarf “Blues Weeping” is a small evergreen spruce that grows very fast and it will quickly reach its maximum height of 10 ft. (3 m). You can grow it in a container to restrict its growth. This dwarf weeping evergreen tree has silver-blue foliage that drops down to give the tree a compact look.

One of the reasons why gardeners choose this type of dwarf evergreen for landscaping is that every tree grows in a unique way. The crisp blue needles on the foliage also give an oriental feel to any garden. You can, of course, train the tree to grow in a way you want.

The Blues Weeping Colorado Spruce grows well in full sun and moist soil. It’s also a hardy tree that grows in USDA zones 2-8.

Dwarf Balsam Fir Tree

Dwarf Balsam Fir (Abies balsamea ‘Nana’) is a great small evergreen for small spaces

The Dwarf Balsam Fir (scientific name: Abies balsamea ‘Nana’) is one of the most popular compact dwarf fir trees. This small tree has the classic fir tree conical shape and it’s an excellent choice for small yards.

The Dwarf Balsam Fir is one of the low-maintenance varieties of compact evergreens as it is slow growing. This evergreen fir produces flat needle-like leaves that stay green throughout the year. As the tree grows and reaches maturity, it develops the distinct cone-like shape of many evergreen firs.

If you have a balcony, porch, or deck area, you can also plant this compact dwarf tree in containers. Due to the fact that the leaves give off a wonderful pine aroma, you benefit from the tree’s beauty and fragrance.

The compact evergreen grows well in USDA zones 3-6 and enjoys a lot of sun and well-drained soil.

Dwarf Serbian Spruce Tree

Dwarf Serbian Spruce is a beautiful compact evergreen

The dwarf cultivar of the Serbian Spruce (Picea omorika ‘Nana’) is an excellent evergreen tree to plant when landscaping any large or small garden.

This slow-growing compact tree only grows between 3 and 4 inches (7-10 cm) every year.

Like many large and small spruce evergreens, the dwarf Serbian spruce has leaves with green and silver needles that form dense foliage. You can expect the small tree to grow no more than 5 ft. (1.5 m) and it will spread about the same distance at its base. This evergreen dwarf variety doesn’t require any pruning to shape it.

Another type of Serbian spruce that belongs to the class of weeping evergreens is the ‘Pendula. ’ This type of spruce tree can withstand temperatures as low as -40°F (-40 °C)

Dwarf Scotch Pine Tree

Called the “Green Penguin,” this small fat Scotch pine tree (Pinus sylvestris ‘Green Penguin’) has a distinctly conical shape.

The dwarf Scotch pine is an evergreen hardy tree that produces bright green needles that keep their green color all year. One of the reasons to add this type of evergreen to your landscaping is that you never need to prune it. You can expect a mature dwarf Scotch pine to reach 6 ft. (1.8 m) over a period of many years.

The dwarf Scotch pine is one of the hardiest evergreen compact trees as it still grows in temperatures as low as -40°F (-40 °C). This dwarf pine tree thrives in USDA zones 3-7.

Miniature Moss False Cypress

The Miniature Moss False Cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera ‘Squarrosa Minima’) is more of a dwarf shrub than a true tree. However, the silvery foliage and limited growth make it a good landscaping choice.

This miniature Cypress tree/shrub is perfect as a bedding plant or border plant. The dwarf tree grows into a round globe shape that reaches a height of about 1 ft. (30 cm). You can plant this miniature tree alongside perennials to give some color to gardens in the wintertime.

The little cypress is a tree-like shrub that also grows well in containers and is an excellent choice if you are creating an urban garden.

You should plant the miniature evergreen shrub in soil that doesn’t get too dry. This dwarf cypress variety grows well in USDA zones down to zone 4.

Dwarf Japanese Black Pine Tree

Dwarf Japanese Black Pine tree is suited to even the smallest garden and makes an excellent choice for the landscape

The Dwarf Japanese Black Pine (Pinus thunbergii ‘Kotobuki’) is a delightful miniature tree for any small garden due to its elegant look.

The miniature cultivar of the Black Pine grows to about 4 ft. (1.2 m) tall after about 10 years. This compact tree has small branches that grow vertically to give the tree a dwarf, narrow pyramid look. You can also prune the tree to turn it into a stunning ornamental tree to give your garden an oriental look.

This Japanese Black Pine tree is a dwarf pine variety that grows well in full sun and can withstand harsh winters.

Dwarf Pencil Point Juniper

Dwarf Pencil Point Juniper is a narrow columnar tree that doesn’t take up much room in the garden. It is a great tree for narrow spaces in your garden

The Dwarf Pencil Point Juniper (Juniperus communis ‘Compressa’) is a type of narrow evergreen tree that grows to less than the height of an average person.

Planting the Dwarf Pencil Point Juniper is a good choice for your yard, garden, or container if you need a tall, yet compact tree. The mature upright tree is only about 1 ft. (30 cm) wide and grows no more than 5 ft. (1.5 m) tall. Many gardeners love this miniature accent tree as it grows well in most types of soil. In addition, it’s a very hardy tree that withstands temperatures as low as -50°F (-45°C).

For landscaping a garden, plant the dwarf upright Pencil Point juniper where you need some height. This type of dwarf compact tree is a great foundation plant that helps to accent small spaces and provides attractive greenery all year round.

Upright Japanese Plum Yew

Upright Japanese Plum Yew is a beautiful compact fastigiate evergreen for a small yard

Another compact evergreen tree variety is the Upright Japanese Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia ‘Fastigiata’). This small bushy coniferous tree has delightful vertical branches with needles.

This dwarf yew tree variety grows into a V-shape with thick dense green foliage. Not all varieties of the small Japanese plum yew flower. However, they are a good dwarf plant that provides privacy and protection from wind all year round.

One of the features of this type of columnar tree is its fastigiate branches. Fastigiate trees have branches that grow vertically upward. This growth habit gives the skinny Japanese Plum Yew tree an upright, straight and thin appearance. This columnar tree is an excellent choice for planting in small gardens where space is tight.

You can plant this compact evergreen in well-drained soil where it gets some full sun and also shade.

The female varieties of this Japanese yew produce small plum-like fruits. You can use this dwarf variety to accent an area of your backyard or plant them together for protection.

Norway Spruce

Norway Spruce is a great choice for smaller landscapes

The ‘Pumila’ variety of Norway Spruce (Picea abies ‘Pumila’) is a dwarf shrub-like tree that is good for ground cover when landscaping your garden.

This small evergreen tree looks like a bushy cushion when fully grown. It grows to a maximum of 4 ft. (1.2 m) tall and spreads the same distance wide. This Norway spruce variety has attractive green needles and is a great choice for rock gardens or foundation plantings.

You can plant this small evergreen tree in most types of soil and it thrives in cooler climates. Pick an area of your garden where it can enjoy full sun.

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

Dwarf Alberta Spruce is one of the finest plants for a small yard

The Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca albertiana ‘Conica’) is another type of compact conifer evergreen tree to give your garden color throughout the whole year.

If you are looking for an ornamental small evergreen, this dwarf spruce variety is a great choice. The thick green dense foliage on the tree grows in an A-shape and will grace any garden. Although the dwarf Alberta spruce will eventually grow to 12 ft. (3.6 m) high, it will take about 30 years to reach this height.

This Alberta spruce dwarf variety can also be pruned into fancy shapes or be planted in a container as an accent feature.

Chalet Dwarf Swiss Stone Pine

Pinus cembra ‘Pygmaea’ is a dwarf pine tree cultivar

The Chalet Swiss Stone Pine (Pinus cembra ‘Chalet’) is a decorative slow-growing evergreen type of dwarf tree.

One of the features about this small pine tree for landscaping is its long green pine needles. The Swiss pine dwarf varieties have a columnar shape with dense pine needle leaves. You can use the Chalet Swiss Stone pine as an accent tree to beautify your garden.

In fact, some landscapers describe Swiss Stone Pine trees as some of the most beautiful dwarf pine trees on the market.

This tree grows well in loamy, well-drained soil and enjoys full sun. As with most pine cultivars, this dwarf Swiss pine variety withstands cold winters.

Other dwarf types of Swiss Stone pines include ‘Nana,’ ‘Pygmaea,’ and the ‘Tip Top’ miniature pine evergreen tree.

Green Arrow Weeping Alaska Cedar

The Green Arrow is a narrow evergreen dwarf tree that is ideal for landscaping small gardens.

The Green Arrow Weeping Alaska cedar (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis ‘Green Arrow’) is a type of dwarf weeping evergreen tree.

Although the Green Arrow weeping cedar grows up to 20 ft. (6 m), it can still be considered a dwarf variety. This type of cedar tree only measures 1 ft. (30 cm) wide at its base, therefore, it can grace even the smallest of gardens. This is one of the best types of “dwarf” evergreens if you want to provide vertical accents to your landscaping features.

One stunning feature of the Green Arrow cedar is its drooping or weeping branches. The strong vertical tree with its weeping dark green foliage gives the appearance of an arrow shooting up from the ground.

This dwarf evergreen tree grows well in USDA hardiness zones 4-8 with full sun and well-drained soil.

Discover the most beautiful dwarf evergreen shrubs.

Miniature Common Juniper ‘Gold Cone’ (Juniperus communis ‘Gold Cone’)

Juniperus communis ‘Gold Cone’

The ‘Gold Cone’ juniper is a small columnar landscaping tree with dense gold-green foliage. This slow growing juniper tree has an upright, columnar growth pattern which makes it an ideal specimen tree, container tree, or for planting in the front of house. The small evergreen juniper ‘Gold Cone’ tree grows 3 to 5 ft. (1 – 1.5 m) tall and up to 2 ft. (0.6 m) wide.

The low maintenance dwarf juniper tree doesn’t require pruning, tolerates a wide range of soils and is drought tolerant when established.

Grow in full sun in well-drained soil in USDA zones 4 – 8.

Lawson Cypress ‘Minima Aurea’ (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Minima Aurea’)

Chamaecyparis lawsoniana ‘Minima Aurea’

The dwarf Lawson cypress cultivar ‘Minima Aurea’ is a small conifer that features attractive golden yellow, soft feather-like sprays. The slow growing small evergreen tree has a pyramidal growth pattern. It grows between 1 and 4 ft. (0.3 – 1.2 m) tall and 2 ft. (0.6 m) wide.

Dwarf Lawson cypress looks great as a specimen tree, foundation planting, or container tree.

Grow in USDA zones 5 – 8 in full sun to part shade in well-drained soil.

Dwarf Eastern White Pine (

Pinus strobus ‘Nana’)

Pinus strobus ‘Nana’

The ‘Nana’ white pine cultivar is a slow-growing small evergreen tree with a dome shape and dense, silver blue-green needle leaves. This small pine tree thrives in full sun and has a growth rate of up to 5” (12 cm) per year. The tree grows between 2 and 7 ft. (2.1 m) tall and up to 10 ft. (3 m) wide.

The dwarf Eastern white pine is generally a low maintenance tree. The small pine tree grows best in full sun in fertile well-drained soil in cool climates in USDA zones 3 – 8. This dwarf tree is not tolerant of air pollution or salt spray.

Grow the ‘Nana’ white pine tree in rock gardens, as a specimen tree or foundation plant.

Discover the best types of small evergreen shrubs to plant in your garden.

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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: A hedge of evergreens

    Photos of examples of the use of evergreens in landscape design

    photos and names of what to plant in the country

    Evergreens - a win-win option for decorating the site. In summer, their juicy greenery sets off the bright inflorescences of flowering plants, in winter it looks great against the backdrop of white snow. At any time of the year, they decorate the local area. We will understand the features of "undying" cultures and get acquainted with their best types.

    Everything about evergreens for the garden

    What is it
    7 best types for the garden
    — Coniferous
    - Deciduous

    Many people think that only conifers belong to evergreen crops, and even then not all of them. In fact, this is not so. Many plants retain their greenery all year round, but they do it in different ways. In evergreen foliage "lives" for several years. It does not fall either in the warm or in the cold season. This group includes mostly trees and shrubs.

    There are also winter green crops. Their foliage remains throughout the winter season, and it completely retains its color. New leaves appear in the spring, after which last year's leaves fall off. This group includes mainly shrubs and herbaceous perennials.

    Both groups can be used to decorate your garden with perennial greenery. It is important not to confuse them, because the care of crops should be different. Evergreens are less whimsical, better adapt to various conditions. Therefore, they are often chosen for growing on the site. They are suitable for spacious areas and for small areas. There are many varieties of them: from tall to dwarf.

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    All crops that preserve greenery all year round can be divided into two groups. Let's talk about each of them.

    Coniferous

    Their main difference from other plants is the leaves in the form of thin long needles. Some conifers have flat, scaly foliage. The seeds of almost all ripen in cones, the shape, size and shade of which depend on the species. We list the most popular evergreen conifers among gardeners.

    1. Spruce

    Beautiful downy tree with short needles and brown cones. The average tree height is 25-30 m, under favorable conditions it grows up to 50 m. Spruces tolerate shading well, can grow in partial shade and in the sun. Sensitive to humidity and air purity. Prefer slightly alkaline light soils and moderately moist loams. There are more than 45 varieties of conifers. For the site, you can recommend such types.

    • Ohlendorf. A multi-vertex undersized Christmas tree with needles of a golden-green hue. Grows up to 200 cm.
    • Akrokona. Compact spruce up to 400 cm, grows very slowly. The needles are dark green, the cones are lilac-raspberry.
    • German Nau. Dwarf Christmas tree no more than 150 cm high. The crown is cushion-shaped, the needles are grayish-blue.

    Spruces are good in single and group plantings, for example, at the main entrance to the house or as the central figure of a multi-tiered composition. Dwarf and undersized specimens are planted in mixborders or rockeries, they make up hedges.

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    2. Cypress

    Tall conifer with scaly leaves. The crown can be pyramidal or spreading. Dislikes bright sunlight and strong shade. The best option is penumbra. Prefers loose fertile soil mixtures. It does not tolerate waterlogging, in the lowlands it is planted only on drained soils. We list the best varieties for decorating the local area.

    • Large-fruited. Tall tree with beautiful yellowish needles. It can grow up to 35-40 m, so pruning is required. It has a very pleasant lemon scent.
    • Tuiform. Compact tree with a pyramidal crown of bluish-green color. Its feature is the presence of needle needles, which gradually turn into scaly ones.
    • Leyland. Tall fast-growing hybrid with a columnar crown and scaly needles. The trunk is covered with a glossy bark of dark red or brown tone.

    Cypresses are undemanding and tolerate pruning well. Low-growing varieties can be used as the basis for a topiary.

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    3. Yew

    Beautiful slow growing conifer. There are shrub and woody varieties. The needles are short, soft, very pleasant to the touch, deep green. Forms fruits in the form of scarlet berries. Yew shade-tolerant and unpretentious. It takes root well on any soil, but prefers a fertile neutral substrate without excessive moisture. We list the best varieties for landscaping the site.

    • Pointed. Tree-like varieties can reach 20 m, but on average do not grow above 6 m. Shrub species are low, creeping. The needles are crescent-shaped, dark green on top and light on the back.
    • Short-leaved. A multi-stemmed slow growing tree growing from 5 to 15 meters. The crown is wide, shaped like a pin. The needles are flat, straight. Berries are bright scarlet.
    • Canadian. Frost-resistant variety of shrub type. It grows up to 100-150 cm in height and up to 300-400 cm in width. In winter, the needles acquire a red-brown hue.

    All cypress trees tolerate pruning well, which is used in landscape design to create topiaries and park sculptures. You need to know that cypress cones, bark and needles contain substances that are toxic to humans and animals. Therefore, it is necessary to plant it with caution where children and pets will walk.

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    4. Thuja

    Decorative conifer with many varieties. Among them there are dwarf shrubs growing up to half a meter, and seventy-meter giant trees. Tui are unpretentious, frost-resistant, grow well in partial shade and shade. Young seedlings have soft needles, which eventually turn into scaly needles. For the adjacent territory, such varieties can be recommended.

    • Brabant. Refers to Western varieties. Frost-resistant fast-growing thuja with emerald needles. The crown is pyramidal in shape. Under natural conditions, it can grow up to 40 m, in decorative plantings it does not exceed 4 m.
    • Biota. Oriental variety with small needles tightly pressed to the branches. The crown is openwork-pyramidal. Cones are small, greenish-blue, dark brown when ripe.
    • Japanese. An ornamental coniferous tree up to 9 m high. The crown is pyramidal, the branches are directed upwards. The needles are emerald green with a silvery sheen, and have a strong pleasant aroma.

    Tui are very different, which makes it possible to choose the most suitable type for your site. They go well with other plants, especially boxwood, juniper, barberry. Suitable for arranging hedges, flower beds and single plantings.

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    Deciduous

    Deciduous plants differ from conifers in the presence of lamellar petiole foliage. Its shape and size can be very different. We offer names and photos of deciduous evergreens for the garden.

    1. Heather

    A monotypic creeping shrub from 25 to 70 cm high. It has many upwardly directed branches covered with small triangular leaves. They are bright green in color, slightly rolled into a tube. Heather blooms in mid-summer. It is covered with bells of a lilac-pink hue. The plant is unpretentious, prefers open areas and slightly acidic soils. Feels good on poor soils. For landscape decoration, you can recommend these varieties of heather.

    • Erica. It grows as a semi-shrub, shrub or tree with small, needle-like leaves. Pink or white flowers resemble drooping bells, collected in large brushes.
    • Yana. Compact shrub up to 30 cm high. Branches are very dense, straight, directed upwards. The flowers are large, double, bright pink. Flowering begins in early autumn, ends in November.
    • Carmen. A compact rounded bush 30-40 cm high. The shoots are covered with very small leaves of a rich dark green tone. Purple or pink flowers are collected in long, up to 10 cm, peduncles.

    Heather is suitable for uniform plantings. For a greater decorative effect, you can choose different varieties. The evergreen bush goes well with other crops, for example, with juniper or thuja.

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    2. Boxwood

    These are slow growing shrubs or trees from 2 to 10 m high. The crown is compact and very dense. The branches are covered with glossy dark green leaves of round or oval shape. Starting from the age of 15-18, boxwood blooms with small yellowish flowers with a pronounced honey aroma. Prefers a slightly acidic or neutral fertile substrate of moderate humidity. Here are the varieties recommended for landscaping.

    • Small-leaved. Dwarf bush with a compact crown and densely branched stems. Covered with small rounded leaves. It grows very slowly, a few millimeters per year.
    • Colchis. A tree 12-15 m high. Young specimens are not higher than 2 m. The branches directed upwards are covered with oval leaves of emerald green color. It does not tolerate frost well, winter shelter is required.
    • Balearic. The largest variety. It occurs as a tall shrub or tree with a pyramidal crown. The leaves are ellipsoid, up to 5 cm long. It grows quickly, tolerates frosts down to -18˚С.

    Boxwood goes well with flowering plants such as hydrangeas, roses or rhododendrons. It is planted in multi-tiered flower beds, in mixborders. It easily tolerates pruning, so it is used to create topiaries, hedges.

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    3. Honeysuckle

    Differs in great species diversity. It happens one- and perennial, grows in the form of a liana or shrub.

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