How to Grow Top 10 Small Evergreen Shrubs - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2024

Top 10 small evergreen shrubs is a great way to add color and interest to your landscape. They are perfect for foundation plantings, hedges, and accent shrubs in small gardens. Here are 10 of the best small evergreen shrubs for your garden.

How to Grow Top 10 Small Evergreen Shrubs - Plant Care & Tips

Popular name

  • Boxwood
  • Yew
  • Holly
  • Juniper
  • Arborvitae

Common Knowledge

  • Thuja Green Giant
  • Emerald Green Thuja
  • Dwarf Alberta Spruce
  • Japanese Yew
  • Leyland Cypress
  • Baby Blue Eyes Spruce
  • Sky Pencil Holly
  • Dwarf English Boxwood
  • Wintergreen Boxwood
  • Emerald Green Arborvitae

Related plant:
Hydrangea Paniculata Diamant Rouge

How to Grow

  1. For top 10 small evergreen shrubs, first step is to choose the area where you want to grow your shrubs.
  2. Then, mark out the area and dig a hole twice the width and depth of the pot the plant is currently in.
  3. After that, backfill the hole with a mix of two parts compost to one part soil.
  4. Once you have done that, take your plant out of its pot and place it in the hole.
  5. After that, fill in the hole with more of the compost and soil mixture, tamping it down as you go.
  6. Once the hole is filled, water the plant well.
  7. After that, mulch around the plant with a layer of straw, leaves, or bark chips.
  8. The next step is to fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season.
  9. Once the plant is established, you can reduce watering to once a week.
  10. Lastly, prune the plant as needed to encourage new growth.

Related plant:
Bombshell Hydrangea

The Soil

About soil condition, some small evergreen shrubs prefer well-drained soils while others tolerate wetter soils. For example, the American holly (Ilex opaca) and yew (Taxus baccata) prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soils, while the juniper (Juniperus virginiana) and hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) prefer moist, well-drained soils. If you're not sure about your soil type, ask your local Extension office for a soil test.

About light

Like the other shrubs, evergreen shrubs come in all shapes and sizes. While some evergreen shrubs can grow to be quite large, there are plenty of smaller varieties that make great choices for filler plants or border plants in your landscape. And, just like their larger cousins, these smaller evergreen shrubs come in a range of sun light requirements, so you can easily find one that will fit well in your landscape. Here are 10 of the best small evergreen shrubs for your landscape: 1. Dwarf Alberta Spruce – This small evergreen shrub is perfect for creating a living fence or border in your landscape. It prefers full sun to partial sun and is very drought tolerant once established. 2. Dwarf Hinoki Cypress – Another great choice for a border plant, the Dwarf Hinoki Cypress is a slow-growing evergreen that can reach up to 3 feet tall. It prefers full sun and is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. 3. Emerald Green Arborvitae – A classic choice for evergreen shrubs, the Emerald Green Arborvitae is a versatile plant that can be used as a border, hedge, or privacy screen. It prefers full sun to partial sun and is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. 4. Foxglove Spirea – A beautiful choice for adding some color to your landscape, the Foxglove Spirea is a deciduous shrub that produces pink or white flowers in the spring. It prefers full sun to partial sun and is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. 5. Gold Mops Cypress – A great choice for adding some yellow foliage to your landscape, the Gold Mops Cypress is a slow-growing evergreen that can reach up to 3 feet tall. It prefers full sun and is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. 6. Korean Spice Viburnum – A great choice for adding some springtime color to your landscape, the Korean Spice Viburnum produces clusters of pink or white flowers in the spring. It prefers full sun to partial sun and is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. 7. Nandina – Another great choice for adding some color to your landscape, the Nandina produces clusters of red, pink, or white flowers in the spring. It prefers full sun to partial sun and is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature conditions in which a small evergreen shrub can survive vary depending on the species. Some small evergreen shrubs can only survive in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit, while others can survive in temperatures as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The ability of a small evergreen shrub to survive in different temperature conditions is dependent on the species of plant.

Humidity Requirement

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is around 40%. This plant does well in direct sunlight, however, too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. The leaves of this plant are small and deep green in color. This plant is native to Japan and Korea and has been cultivated in North America for many years. This plant is deer resistant and has no known pests or diseases. This is an excellent plant for use in foundation plantings, hedges, or as an accent plant in the landscape. This plant has a mounding growth habit and can reach a height of 3-4 feet and a width of 4-5 feet. This plant prefers well-drained, fertile soils, but will tolerate a wide range of soil conditions.

Fertilizer Requirement

The fertilizer, usually the plant food, is taken up by the roots of the plant and helps it to grow. Small evergreen shrubs are not as demanding as some other types of plants when it comes to the roots. They can be found in a variety of colors, sizes, and shapes. When it comes to shrubs, there is a lot of variation in how they look. Some have flowers, while others do not.

Plant Pruning

Pruning is an important part of keeping your small evergreen shrub healthy and looking its best. Many shrubs can be pruned in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. First, remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Then, trim back any branches that are rubbing against each other or crossing over. Finally, shape the shrub by pruning to create a desired look.

About Propagating

Propagation is best done in early spring, before new growth begins. Take cuttings from healthy, non-flowering stems that are about 6 inches long. Remove the bottom leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Plant the cutting in a well-drained potting mix, water well, and place in a bright location out of direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not wet, and in 4-6 weeks you should see new growth.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate is generally between 1-2 feet per year. Depending on the species, some may grow a little faster or slower. Some factors that affect a shrub's growth rate are the amount of sunlight and water it receives, the type of soil it's planted in, and the amount of fertilizer it's given.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are as follows: 1. Over watering- This is the number one problem for many shrubs. Over watering can lead to root rot, which can be deadly for the plant. It is important to water only when the soil is dry to the touch. 2. Under watering- This is also a common problem for many shrubs. Under watering can cause the leaves to turn brown and drop off. It is important to water regularly, especially during the summer. 3. Fertilizer- Many shrubs are fertilized too much, which can lead to problems such as leaf burn. It is important to follow the directions on the fertilizer package. 4. Pest control- Many shrubs are susceptible to pests such as aphids and scale. It is important to use a pesticide that is specifically designed for the type of pest you have. 5. Disease- Many diseases can affect shrubs, such as powdery mildew and fungal diseases. It is important to treat the plant early if you notice any signs of disease.

List to Know

  • Do not forget to water your plant regularly. Check the soil moisture frequently and never let the soil dry out completely.
  • Place your plant in a location that receives bright, indirect light.
  • Fertilize your plant every month during the growing season.
  • Prune your plant regularly to shape it and encourage new growth.
  • Check for pests and diseases regularly and take appropriate measures to control them.
  • Give your plant enough space to grow. Do not overcrowd it.
  • Train your plant if you want it to grow in a certain shape or direction.
  • Protect your plant from extreme weather conditions.
  • Harvest regularly to encourage new growth.
  • Enjoy your beautiful, healthy plant!

Alternative Plants

  • Buxus
  • Buxus is a genus of about 70 species in the family Buxaceae. Common names include box or boxwood. The plants are native to western and southern Europe, southwest, southern and eastern Asia, Africa, Madagascar, northernmost South America, Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean, with the majority of species being tropical or subtropical; only the European and some Asian species are frost-tolerant. Most species are short-lived perennials or subshrubs, growing to 0.5-9 m (6-25 ft) tall; some are evergreen, some deciduous. The leaves are opposite, rounded to lanceolate, and 3-25 cm (2-8 in) long and 1-7 cm (0.4-8 in) broad, with entire to serrate margins; the leaves of some species are finely hairy, especially below. The flowers are yellow

Source:
Evergreen Shrubs - 7.414 - Extension
Selecting Landscape Plants: Broad-leaved Evergreens
Selecting Shrubs for the Landscape | Oklahoma State University

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Shrubs Category