If you are in need of some new plants for your garden, here are four evergreen small shrubs that you can consider: Hebe, Blue star, Yaupon, and Holly. These plants are very adaptable to different climates and require minimal maintenance. In addition to being drought resistant, they also require minimal pruning. And if you’re interested in planting them in rock gardens, you can’t go wrong with these trees.
Hebe
Hebe is an evergreen small shrub that prefers a sunny spot in a sunny garden or on a windowsill. Although it can survive the winter on a window sill, it is best grown outdoors during the summer. The shorter varieties tolerate coastal locations and wind very well. Listed below are the main characteristics of hebe. All of the pictures were kindly provided by the Hebe Society, UK.
There are over 90 known species of Hebe. Hebe varieties include dwarf shrubs, small trees, hybrids, and cultivars. Most species are native to New Zealand, although a few are also found in southern South America. The Hebe species grow in low-lying and well-watered climates. Hebe varieties are a versatile addition to any garden, as they can thrive in a wide variety of climates.
Hebe shrubs are easy to care for and offer a stunning array of colors and shapes. They are low-maintenance, attractive, and butterfly and bee attractants. Planting hebes in summer is also beneficial because they can have time to settle their roots before winter weather sets in. Hebe shrubs can grow anywhere, but planting them in the summer will give them ample time to establish themselves before the harsh winter weather sets in.
Blue star
If you have a sunny location, consider blue star juniper, one of the most resilient and versatile of evergreen small shrubs. Although it prefers light soil, this shrub can tolerate a variety of soil types and will thrive in full sun. Blue star junipers should be planted in full sun and given regular watering during the establishing period. In addition, they should be kept away from taller shrubs to ensure their health and well-being.
A compact, multi-stemmed evergreen shrub, the Blue Star Juniper lends fine texture to a landscape. It is a relatively low-maintenance shrub, which should be pruned in late winter to prevent the shrub from becoming too dense. Despite its low maintenance requirements, this shrub does not produce significant fruit, and it is highly ornamental. The foliage of this shrub appears silvery-blue in the spring and blue needles resemble a star. Blue star juniper has no significant negative characteristics, but it is not as attractive as other evergreen small shrubs.
The Blue Star Juniper has a unique silver-blue shade, and is a good choice for a sunny location. It is a slow-growing conifer that will add a touch of color to your garden for years to come. While its foliage requires minimal maintenance, it is drought-resistant and highly tolerant of pollution. It is a great choice for rock gardens because it is drought-resistant and requires minimal pruning.
Yaupon
Known as a small tree or shrub, Yaupon is native to the eastern United States. It grows to about 12 to 30 feet tall and 8 to 12 feet wide, and can be a lovely addition to your landscape. Its flowers are a vibrant red, and its leaves are small, dark green, and less than an inch long. Yaupons form dense thickets that provide year-round color.
One of the smaller yaupons is the dwarf variety, known as the Taylor’s Rudolf. This low-growing tree makes a great container plant on your balcony or terrace. The foliage is evergreen, and the leaves are good for making tea. Female plants produce red berries in fall, and the male plants do not. Both species are slow-growing, and rarely require pruning.
The Dwarf Yaupon Holly is another great choice for a small landscape. Its dense, multi-stemmed form is ideal for containers, and its glossy foliage is great for birdwatching. Although the berry-producing females produce berries, males do not, which makes it an excellent choice for landscape planting. Yaupon hollies are drought-tolerant and tolerate temporary poor drainage, so you can grow them in almost any climate.
Holly
The male holly plant can be used to create a soft corner in your landscape. It can grow to be eight feet tall and six feet wide. Holly plants are hardy in zones 5 to 9, and are very low-maintenance. The berries on a female Holly are red and are especially lovely during winter months. They have very attractive foliage and berries, and grow best in full sun, although they can also grow in partial shade.
There are several types of holly, namely deciduous and evergreen varieties. Deciduous varieties are less popular for topiary, as they have no branches. Deciduous hollies are not suitable for topiary. However, if you’re growing a small tree in your yard, you can treat them as a shrub and prune them as needed. Both types bear beautiful berries, which can enhance your landscape.
If you’re a homeowner with full sun exposure, you can choose one of the two species of holly that will tolerate the sun. Holly shrubs grow best in full sun or partial shade, and they prefer a slightly acidic soil. They require a medium amount of water, but they should be watered consistently throughout the growing season, with less water in the fall. Because they grow fast, holly plants are ideal for planting around the base of a house.
Dwarf Burford
Dwarf Burford Holly, also called ‘Burdordii Nana,’ is a compact, dense, evergreen shrub with glossy, dark green leaves and a single spine at the tip. Its berries are red and will attract birds to your landscape. Its dense, compact habit makes it an excellent choice for hedges, screens, or evergreen structural elements in your landscape. As with most holly species, this plant doesn’t need to be pollinated in order to produce berries.
Dwarf Burford evergreen small shrub for full sun and part shade. This medium-sized shrub has a compact habit that fits well in most landscapes. It grows slowly, reaching only three to five feet tall and six to ten feet wide in a decade. The dwarf Burford grows slowly, but it’s still compact enough to fit well in a home landscape, while still adding height to the overall effect.
Dwarf Burford Holly is a low-maintenance, deer-resistant evergreen. They are perfect for planting around your home, especially around the foundation. They grow low to the ground and will provide winter interest to your landscaping. You can trim them once or twice a year to create a formal look or let them grow naturally to form layers of branches. In either case, they will be a gorgeous addition to your landscape.
Leucothoe
The leaves on leucothoe are variegated, with green, bronze, or pink tips on stems up to two feet long. Its foliage is also fragrant and can survive drought conditions. Although leucothoe don’t like extreme temperatures, they do tolerate some winter wind and can be cut back to the ground when they become leggy. In full sun, they can wilt, so they benefit from ample water. They also enjoy a mist on warm days.
A great choice for shade gardens is Leucothoe, an evergreen shrub with small leaves and bright red flowers in spring. It can grow to about three feet tall and spread a metre wide. This plant can also be propagated by cuttings taken from the plant in early summer. Plant the cuttings in a moist, warm location out of direct sunlight and wait ten to twelve weeks. Leucothoe is a member of the Ericaceae family and is named after the Greek goddess Leucothoe. According to legend, she was one of the many lovers of the god Apollo who was transformed into plants. As such, taking cuttings of Leucothoe was considered to be good luck.
This fragrant butterfly bush is native to the southeastern United States. It grows to between three and six feet tall and ten feet wide. Its flowers are creamy white and pendulous. The leaves are three to six inches long and leathery. They turn brown in autumn. It is best grown in a foundation or mixed border garden. You can cut back its stems after flowering to keep them aesthetically appealing.
Wintercreeper
The evergreen Wintercreeper is a popular ornamental shrub for gardens and yards. It can tolerate a little shade but thrives in full or partial sun. It prefers well-drained, medium-to-alkaline soil, but can tolerate moderate shade, too. Wintercreeper is easy to grow from cuttings or layering. It can be trimmed to shape and maintain its shape.
The evergreen wintercreeper grows up to 20 feet in height. Its leaves are silver-tinged and alternate. Its small purple flowers bloom in the spring and are followed by tiny, orange capsules. These fruits attract songbirds and persist through winter. It is native to Asia but can survive in full sun, partial shade, and variable soils. Wintercreeper is a beautiful plant that will complement any landscape or garden.
A hardy, low-growing shrub with distinctive leaves, the wintercreeper is a great groundcover, climbing vine, and ornamental ground cover. Its glossy leaves turn a vibrant emerald-green in cold weather and develop pinkish hues in the winter. The wintercreeper is a good choice for gardens and landscapes in full sun, because it tolerates heat and dryness well.
