Evergreens provide year-round color and texture to the landscape. Choose an evergreen based on its shape, cone appearance, foliage, bark and berries. Consider the plants' purpose, size at maturity and pest resistance to decide which evergreen best suits your needs. Allow room to grow, since slow-growing evergreens eventually will reach their full height and width.
Prince of Wales Juniper
Prince of Wales juniper (Juniperus horizontalis) is a non-flowering, low-lying shrub that enjoys full sun and requires little maintenance. The plant's attractive bright green foliage, tinged with blue, turns a purple color in winter. At maturity, Prince of Wales juniper, also known as creeping juniper, reaches a height of up to 6 inches tall and 12 feet wide. Grow Prince of Wales juniper as a ground cover or in areas prone to erosion. This shrub tolerates poor soil conditions, including dry, rocky and shallow soils, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden. Prince of Wales juniper grows well in US Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9.
Conical in form with coarse foliage, the Japanese fir (Abies firma), also known as Momi fir, retains a soft pyramidal shape without the need for pruning, according to the University of Florida IFAS Extension. As the tree ages, the upright, tight branches relax and the lower branches sweep the ground. The tree grows slowly, reaching a mature size of up to 70 feet tall and 40 feet wide. This graceful evergreen displays stiff dark green needles with 3 1/2- to 5-inch brown cones. The Japanese fir enjoys full sun and tolerates poorly drained soil. Grow this tree in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 9.
The relaxed, spineless foliage of the inkberry holly (Ilex glabra), also known as Gallberry, lends itself to natural settings. Its white spring flowers give way to black berries that attract birds. Grow inkberry holly near ponds or in woodland gardens. This shrub also makes an attractive hedge, border or foundation plant. Inkberry holly enjoys rich, well-drained soil and thrives in partial to full sun. At maturity, this plant reaches a height of up to 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Fine Gardening recommends pruning this shrub in late winter to early spring. Grow inkberry holly in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9.
Japanese Plum Yew
The Japanese plum yew (Cephalotaxus harringtonia), also known as Spreading plum yew, is the namesake of the Earl of Harrington, a great admirer of the plant. The Japanese plum yew bears glossy dark green needles on its round form. The male plant exhibits modest flowers, whereas the female plant has plum-like purple fruit. This shrub prefers moist, well-drained soil in partial to full shade, but can tolerate heat, drought and sandy or clay soils. The plant grows slowly to a mature height of up to 10 feet tall and 14 feet wide. Grow the Japanese plum yew as an accent plant or in groupings in USDA plant hardiness zones 6 through 9.
- University of Minnesota Extension: Choosing Landscape Evergreens
- North Carolina State University: Juniperus Horizontalis "Prince of Wales"
- North Carolina State University: Japanese Fir
- Fine Gardening: Ilex Glabra (Gallberry, Inkberry Holly)
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Cephalotaxus Harringtonia Japanese Plum Yew
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: Japanese Fir
- Missouri Botanical Garden: Juniperus Horizontalis "Prince of Wales"
- North Carolina State University: Japanese Plum Yew
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