15 Small Evergreen Shrubs for Your Landscape

Small, low-growing evergreen shrubs are ideal in any landscape. They can be added as an accent border, grown in a container, or scattered as ground covers—the possibilities are limitless.

These compact shrubs grow only a few feet in height and spread, but they can sport bright blooms and interesting foliage. Evergreen shrubs retain live foliage from one season to the next and supply color to the landscape in winter when other trees and shrubs are bare.

Here are 15 small evergreen shrubs that work well in any home landscape.

01 of 15
Blue Star Juniper (Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star')

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Blue star juniper's (Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star') standout quality is its blue-gray foliage. With its short blue-green needles that overlap and are densely arranged in whorls of three, blue star junipers look especially nice planted next to broad-leaved evergreens with golden foliage. It grows roughly 1 to 3 feet tall with a 1- to 4-foot spread and is often massed to form a ground cover on a slope.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4a to 8b
- Color Varieties: Blue-gray foliage
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Mature Size: Height: 1 to 3 ft.; Width: 1 to 4 ft.
02 of 15
Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia 'Minuet')

The Spruce / K. Dave

Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia 'Minuet') is a dwarf variety of the broadleaf evergreen that can grow quite large. The 'Minuet' cultivar grows only around 2 to 3 feet in height and spread. This compact bush has more colorful flowers than native laurels. Lightly prune the plant after it is finished blooming to keep it looking full and bushy.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4a to 9b
- Color Varieties: White flowers with a purplish-red band
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Mature Size: Height: 2 to 3 ft.; Width: 2 to 3 ft.
03 of 15
False Cypress ‘Golden Mop’ (Chamaecyparis pisifera)

Photo of "Gold Mop" false cypress. David Beaulieu

Native to Japan, 'Golden Mop' is a yellow-needled evergreen shrub cultivar in the Cupressaceae (cypress) family. It grows slowly and may take up to 10 years to reach 2 feet in height. This is a low-maintenance plant that seldom needs pruning to maintain its mophead shape. The small size makes it an excellent choice for a patio planting or low hedge.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4a to 8b
- Color Varieties: Bright, golden, thread-like foliage
- Sun Exposure: Full sun or part shade
- Mature Size: Height: 2 to 5 ft.; Width: 2 to 5 ft.
04 of 15
Dwarf Azalea (Rhododendron japonicum ‘Amoena’)

Courtesy of Burncoose Nurseries

The Amoena hybrids are dwarf azaleas (Rhododendron japonicum) derived from the “Amoenum” Japanese azalea introduced ca. 1850. This azalea has small, magenta-pink flowers on a compact plant known for its hardiness. Its small size and tolerance for partial sun make it ideal for cottage gardens, woodland settings, and specimen plantings. Popular in the U.K., these azaleas may be difficult to find in the United States.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4a to 8b
- Color Varieties: Masses of magenta-pink blooms in spring
- Sun Exposure: Partial shade, dappled shade
- Mature Size: 3 to 4 ft.
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05 of 15
Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca ‘Conica’)

Photo of dwarf Alberta spruce. David Beaulieu

While classified as a shrub, a Dwarf Alberta Spruce (Picea glauca 'Conica') will eventually grow into a 10-foot dwarf tree. It maintains its conical shape as it grows and prefers well-drained, neutral soils in full sun. Best suited for cold winters, cooler summers, and low humidity. Dwarf Alberta Spruce is often used as anchor plants near a home entrance or as specimen plants in the garden.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3a to 6b
- Color Varieties: Bright green needles
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Mature Size: Height: 3 to 13 ft. Width: 1 ft., 6 in. to 10 ft.
06 of 15
Gem Box Inkberry Holly (Ilex glabra ‘Gem Box’)

Courtesy of Greatgardenplants.com

While most Inkberry (Ilex glabra) broadleaf evergreen shrubs mature at 5 to 10 feet tall, the 'Gem Box' cultivar forms a dense ball-shaped shrub that matures at 3 feet. An excellent alternative to boxwood as a durable, low hedge, 'Gem Box' thrives in many hardiness zones in full or partial sun. Perfect for those that enjoy a low-maintenance garden, it does not require pruning or trimming to maintain its shape.
- USDA Growing Zones: 5a to 9b
- Color Varieties: Deep green leaves
- Sun Exposure: Full sun, part sun
- Mature Size: 3 ft.
07 of 15
Japanese Holly ‘Compacta’ (Ilex crenata ‘Compacta’)

Courtesy of Johnson Nursery Corporation

This small cultivar of Ilex Crenata (Box Leaved Holly), is a low, compact, globose version with small black fruit, rich dark green foliage, and spreading habit. The easy-to-transplant evergreen likes full sun to partial shade and prefers clay soils making it perfect for urban environments. 'Compacta' works well in mass plantings, borders, and foundation beds. It is attractive to bees who pollinate the plant.
- USDA Growing Zones: 6a to 8b
- Color Varieties: Deep green leaves, black fruit
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Mature Size: Height: 6 to 8 ft.; Width: 6 to 10 ft.
08 of 15
Little Giant Dwarf Aborvitae (Thuja occidentalis ‘Little Giant’)

Courtesy of Gertens.com

While many Arborvitae grow quite tall and conical, 'Little Giant' (Thuja occidentalis 'Little Giant') is a small, globe-shaped, evergreen shrub. It holds its bright green color well and is perfect for foundation planting, hedges, or specimen planting with flowering plants.
- USDA Growing Zones: 3a to 8b
- Color Varieties: Bright green feathery foliage
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Mature Size: 4 ft.
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09 of 15
Japanese Skimmia (Skimmia japonica)

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Japanese skimmia is slow-growing and will produce white flowers and red fruit if you have both a male and a female plant. It is a broadleaf evergreen with greenish bark, leathery green leaves, fragrant flowers, and red berries. One of the few shrubs that love shade, it works well for foundation plantings and borders.
- USDA Growing Zones: 7a to 8b
- Color Varieties: White, cream flowers, bright red berries
- Sun Exposure: Full or partial shade
- Mature Size: Height: 2 to 7 ft.; Width: 3 to 5 ft.
10 of 15
Dwarf English Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa')

The Spruce / Cara Cormack

Dwarf English boxwood (Buxus sempervirens 'Suffruticosa') is a classic shrub for hedges, topiaries, and as a background for other plants. The plant grows slowly to roughly 2 to 3 feet tall with a slightly wider spread and works well in a container. Pruning will be your primary maintenance task when growing as a hedge or border.
- USDA Growing Zones: 5a to 8b
- Color Varieties: Medium green foliage
- Sun Exposure: Full or partial sun
- Mature Size: Height: 2 to 3 ft.; Width: 2 to 4 ft.
11 of 15
Winter Heath (Erica carnea)

The Spruce / David Beaulieu

Winter or Scotch Heath (Erica carnea) provides an attractive show year-round as a low-growing evergreen shrub or ground cover. It will thrive in acidic, well-drained soil and forms a dense mat making it an excellent choice for slopes and rock gardens. It blooms in the winter and blooms can last up to six months.
- USDA Growing Zones: 7a to 9b
- Color Varieties: Blooms can be white, pink, or purple
- Sun Exposure: Full or partial sun
- Mature Size: 6 in. to 1 ft.
12 of 15
'Emerald 'n' Gold' (Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold')

The Spruce / Autumn Wood

Emerald 'n' Gold Euonymus has bi-colored gold and green leaves. The gold color gets brighter with sun exposure, but this shrub does well in partial shade. It spreads well and works as a ground cover, low hedge, and will even climb on a trellis.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4a to 9b
- Color Varieties: Green and gold foliage
- Sun Exposure: Partial shade
- Mature Size: Height: 1 to 2 ft.; Width: 3 to 4 ft.
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13 of 15
'Moonshadow' (Euonymus fortunei 'Moonshadow')

The Spruce / David Beaulieu

The 'Moonshadow' Euonymus also has a green-and-gold pattern of variegation. But its colors are the opposite of 'Emerald 'n' Gold' with green at the margins and gold at the centers. 'Moonshadow' grows well as a container plant with spreading stems to create a lush, cascading effect.
- USDA Growing Zones: 5a to 8b
- Color Varieties: Gold and green
- Sun Exposure: Full or partial sun
- Mature Size: Height: 3 ft.; Width: 5 ft.
14 of 15
'Emerald Gaiety' (Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety')

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova

Emerald Gaiety Euonymus is a slow-growing bushy shrub. It has small leaves, inconspicuous, greenish-white flowers, red berries, and good fall color. If grown in partial shade, the leaves will be significantly variegated. The plant also can be trained to grow as a vine. Provide support, such as a trellis or mailbox post, and the branches will wind their way up.
- USDA Growing Zones: 5a to 8b
- Color Varieties: Green and white variegated leaves, red berries
- Sun Exposure: Full or partial sun
- Mature Size: 3 to 6 ft.; Width: 3 to 5 ft.
15 of 15
Adam's Needle (Yucca filamentosa)

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

When several plants are massed together, Adam's Needle (Yucca filamentosa) can form a formidable hedge with its sword-shaped leaves with sharp-pointed tips. The tall panicle of white bell-shaped flowers blooms in late spring to early summer. The plant is useful for a dry area of the garden where other plants might not grow. If you like golden foliage, chose 'Garland’s Gold' and 'Golden Sword'.
- USDA Growing Zones: 4a to 10b
- Color Varieties: Medium green foliage
- Sun Exposure: Full or partial sun
- Mature Size: Height: 3 to 8 ft..; Width: 3 to 5 ft.

FAQ

How tall does a dwarf evergreen get?

Most dwarf evergreen shrubs have a growth pattern that tops out around 3 to 4 feet with a similar spread. Most dwarf trees only reach a height of about 6 feet. However, before purchasing any small plant, check the cultivar's mature size. What is considered dwarf in one species may be much taller in another.
What is the best low-maintenance shrub?

Many low-maintenance dwarf shrubs require little care and can tolerate less-than-ideal conditions. Since every growing location is different, there is no single "best" choice. However, boxwoods, azaleas, laurels, and euonymus are reliable low-maintenance shrubs.
What are evergreen shrubs with shallow root systems?

Dwarf evergreen shrubs are a good choice for foundation planting beds. The shallow roots and slow growth do not, typically, cause issues with a home's foundation. Boxwoods, azaleas, yew, and compact hollies have shallow root systems.