Low-Growing Evergreen Shrubs
Tagged as: shrubs, Evergreens
The fine-textured foliage and formal silhouette of Buxus 'Glencoe', Chicagoland Green™ boxwood, offers an important year-round structural element to any landscape
- Generally grow less than 4 feet tall
- Include cone-bearing plants with needle-like foliage, and broad-leaved plants that retain their foliage year-round
- Recommended for the Midwest on the basis of ornamental value, proven hardiness, availability, and freedom from serious problems
Uses in the Landscape
- Create privacy around a deck, patio or entryway
- Screen unwanted objects and views all year
- Create structure or "bones" in a mixed border
- Stabilize slopes or embankments
- Provide a backdrop against which other plants can be highlighted
- Add color to a winter landscape
Factors to Consider
Color
Although we think of evergreens as green, they actually come in several other colors, including silver-blue, blue-green and yellow-green. Be sure to think about how the foliage color will work with buildings and other plantings in the area.
Texture Effect
Keep in mind the effect you intend when making your plant selection.The flat, glossy leaves of yews make a different impact than the lacy foliage of arborvitae or the broad-leaved boxwood.
Shape
Evergreen shrubs come in a variety of shapes: columnar, pyramidal, round, vase, weeping, upright, and prostrate. Select a variety that naturally grows in the shape you desire.
Recommended low-Growing Evergreen Shrubs (less than 4 feet tall)
| BOTANICAL NAME | COMMON NAME | HEIGHT | SPREAD | FORM | RATE | ZONE | CULTURAL/ COMMENTS |
| Buxus 'Glencoe'  |
Chicagoland Green™ Boxwood | 2-3' | 3-5' | Mounded | S | 4-9 | Sun, best in filtered sun to part shade; well-drained, moist soil, avoid wet sites; broadleaf evergreen retains medium green foliage yearly; cold hardy; Chicagoland Grows introduction |
| Buxus 'Green Gem' |
Green Gem Boxwood | 2' | 2' | Compact, rounded | S | 4-9 | Best in well-drained, moist, neutral to alkaline pH soil in full sun to full shade |
| Buxus 'Green Velvet' |
Green Velvet Boxwood | 2-3' | 2-3' | Globe-shaped | S | 4-9 | Best in well-drained, moist, neutral to alkaline pH soil in full sun to full shade |
| Buxus 'Green Mound' |
Green Mound Boxwood | 2-3 | 2-3 | Mounded | S | 5-8 | Sun or shade; dark green, glossy foliage retains color in winter; cold hardy |
| Buxus 'Green Mountain' |
Green Mountain Boxwood | 4-5' | 3-4' | Upright, oval-pyramidal | S | 4-9 | Best in well-drained moist neutral to alkaline pH soil in full sun to full shade |
| Buxus 'Wilson' |
Northern Charm Boxwood™ | 2-3' | 3-5' | Mounded | S | 4-9 | Sun to partial shade; well-drained moist soil; evergreen with fine-textured foliage |
| Buxus microphylla var. koreana | Korean Boxwood | 2-3' | 4-5' | Rounded | S | 4-9 | Loose, open habit; green foliage turns yellow-brown in winter |
| Buxus 'Wintergreen' |
Wintergreen Boxwood | 3-4' | 3-4' | Rounded | S | 5-8 | Very uniform; small, light green foliage |
| Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Nana Gracilis' |
Dwarf Upright Hinoki Falsecypress | 4-5' | 3-4' | Irregular when young, becoming upright with age | S | 5-8 | Prefers moist, well-drained neutral pH to slightly acidic soils in full sun to part shade |
| Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Baby Blue' |
Baby Blue Sawara Falsecypress | 5-6' | up to 4' | Rounded to oval | S | 5-8 | Prefers moist, well-drained neutral pH to slightly acidic soils in full sun |
| Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Cream Ball' |
Cream Ball Sawara Falsecypress | 2-3' | 2-3' | Rounded | S | 5-8 | Best in full sun to part shade with protection from winter sun and winds |
| Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Filifera Mops' |
Goldmop Threadleaf Sawara Falsecypress | 2-3' | 2-3' | Low, mounded | S | 5-8 | Prefers moist, well-drained neutral pH to slightly acidic soil in full sun to part shade |
| Euonymus fortunei 'Canadale Gold' |
Canadale Gold Euonymus | 3' | 3-4' | Compact, irregular, or mounded | M | 4-9 | Best in well-drained, evenly moist soil in full sun to part shade |
| Euonymus fortunei 'Coloratus' |
Purple Leaf Wintercreeper | 12-18" | up to 6' | Low with spreading or trailing stems that will climb if supported | M | 4-9 | Best in well-drained, evenly moist soil in full sun to full shade |
| Euonyms fortunei 'Emerald Gaiety' |
Emerald Gaiety Euonymus | 3-4' | 4-5' | Irregular or mounded; stems will climb if supported | M | 5-9 | Suitable for many soil types but best in well-drained, evenly moist soil |
| Euonymus fortunei 'Emerald 'n' Gold' |
Emerald 'n' Gold Euonymus | 3-4' | 4-5' | Irregular or mounded; stems will climb if supported | M | 5-9 | Suitable for many soil types but best in well-drained, evenly moist soil |
| Euonymus fortunei 'Gold Prince' |
Gold Prince (or Gold Tip) Euonymus | 3' | 3' | Mounded, stems will climb if supported | M | 5-9 | Suitable for many soil types, best in well-drained evenly moist soil in full sun to part shade |
| Euonymus fortunei 'Minimus' |
Small Leaf or Dwarf Wintercreeper | 12-18" | up to 6' | Low with spreading or trailing stems that will climb if supported | M | 5-9 | Suitable for many soil types, best in well-drained evenly moist soil in full sun to full shade |
| Euonymus fortunei 'Moonshadow' |
Moonshadow Euonymus | 2-3' | 3-5' | Irregular or spreading; stems will climb if supported | M | 5-9 | Suitable for many soil types, best in well-drained evenly moist soil in full sun to full shade |
| Euonymus fortunei 'Sarcoxie' |
Sarcoxie Euonymus | 4-5' | 4-5' | Upright or spreading | M | 5-9 | Best in well-drained, evenly moist soil in full sun to full shade |
| Euonymus fortunei 'Vegetus' |
Bigleaf Wintercreeper | 2-4' | up to 6' | Creeping, stems will climb if supported | M | 5-9 | Suitable for many soil types, best in well-drained evenly moist soil in full sun to full shade |
| Ilex glabra 'Chamzin' |
Nordic® Inkberry | 3-4' | 4' | Rounded, dense, more compact then Ilex glabra 'Compacta' | S | 4-9 | Best in part shade with protection from winter sun and wind. |
| Ilex glabra 'Compacta' |
Compact Inkberry | 3-4' | 4' | Rounded, dense, twiggy | S | 4-9 | Prefers moist, well-drained slightly acidic soil, rich in organic matter. Best in part shade, protect from winter sun and winds |
| Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Girl' and 'Blue Boy' |
Berri-Magic® Royalty Holly Combination | 5-6' | 4-6' | Upright, broad pyramidal | S | 5-9 | Prefers moist, well-drained slightly acidic soils, rich in organic matter. |
| Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Prince' |
Blue Prince Holly | 5-6' | 4-6' | Upright, broad pyramidal | S | 5-9 | Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils rich in organic matter, best in part shade |
| Ilex x meserveae 'Blue Princess' |
Blue Princess Holly | 5-6' | 4-6' | Upright, broad pyramidal | S | 5-9 | Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils rich in organic matter, best in part shade |
| Ilex x meserveae 'Mesdob' |
China Boy® Holly | 3-5' | 3-5' | Upright, broadly pyramidal | S | 4-9 | More cold hardy than Blue Prince, Chlorosis may occur in alkaline soil. |
| Ilex x meserveae 'Mesog' |
China Girl® Holly | 3-5' | 3-5' | Upright, broadly pyramidal | S | 4-9 | Hardier than Blue Princess, prefers moist, well-drained slightly acidic soil, rich in organic matter. |
| Ilex meserveae x willemer 'Emerald Magic' |
Emerald Magic Holly | 3-4' | 3-4' | Upright | S | 5-9 | Prefers moist, well-drained slightly acidic soil, rich in organic matter. |
| Juniperus chinensis 'Old Gold' |
Old Gold Chinese Juniper | 2-3' | 3-4' | Spreading | S | 4-9 | Sun; requires well-drained soil; horizontally spreading branches; bronze-gold to green foliage |
| Juniperus 'Pfitzeriana Compacta' | Compact Chinese Pfitzer Juniper | 12- 24" | 4-6' | Variable spreading | S | 3-9 | Sun; gray-green foliage; compact form |
| Juniperus 'Pfitzeriana Kallay' |
Kallay's Compact Pfitzer Chinese Juniper | 2-3' | 4-6' | Compact, spreading | S | 4-9 | Sun; needs well-drained soil; flat-topped form; dark green foliage |
| Juniperus chinensis var. sargentii | Sargent Juniper | 18-24" | 4-6' | Low-spreading | S | 4-9 | Sun; drought tolerant; blue-green needles; low spreading habit; excellent winter color |
| Juniperus chinensis 'Gold Coast' |
Gold Coast Juniper | 3-4' | 5-6' | Spreading | M | 4-9 | Best in dry, well-drained soil in full sun. Resistant to cedar rust and juniper twig blights. |
| Juniperus chinensis 'Mint Julep' |
Mint Julip Chinese Juniper | 1-3' | 6-8' | Low, spreading | S | 4-9 | Best in dry, well-drained soil in full sun. Salt tolerant. Once established, withstands drought and wind. |
| Juniperus chinensis 'Saybrook Gold" | Saybrook Gold Chinese Juniper | 2-3' | 4-6' | Low-spreading | S | 4-9 | Sun to partial shade; intense yellow color |
| Juniperus chinensis 'Sea Green' | Sea Green Chinese Juniper | 4-6' | 6-8' | Upright, Spreading | S | 4-9 | Fountain-like, arching branches; green foliage retains winter color; avoid overhead watering |
| Juniperus communis 'Pencil Point' |
Pencil Point Juniper | 4-6' | up to 1' | Columnar, narrow | S | 2-7 | Best in dry, well-drained soil in full sun. |
| Juniperus horizontalis | Trailing Juniper | 1-2' | 4-8' | Low-spreading | S | 4-9 | Sun; adaptable to hot, dry situations; tolerant of heavy soil or rocky conditions; good use for slopes and groundcover; many cultivars |
| Juniperus horizontalis 'Bar Harbor' | Bar Harbor Trailing Juniper | 12" | 6-8' | Low-spreading | S | 4-9 | Sun; dry soil; bluish-green foliage turns reddish-purple in winter; salt tolerant |
| Juniperus horizontalis 'Blue Chip' |
Blue Chip Juniper | up to 1' | 8-10' | Low-spreading | S | 3-9 | Best in dry, well-drained soil, Salt tolerant, but susceptible to juniper twig blight diseases |
| Juniperus horizontalis 'Hughes' |
Hughes Trailing Juniper | 12" | 9' | Low-spreading | S | 4-9 | Silvery blue foliage holds winter color |
| Juniperus horizontalis 'Monber' |
Icee Blue® Juniper | up to 6" | up to 8' | Low-spreading | M | 3-9 | Best in dry well-drained soil in full sun. Established plants withstand drought, wind, and salt. |
| Juniperus horizontalis 'Nana' |
Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper | up to 12" | 4-6' | Low-spreading | S | 4-9 | Mildly resistant to juniper twig blights, but susceptible to cedar rust diseases |
| Juniperus horizontalis 'Plumosa Compacta' |
Compact Andorra Juniper | 12-18" | 3-6' | Low, flat-topped, spreading | F | 3-9 | Full sun, and dry well-drained soil. Female plants produce berry-shaped cones. |
| Juniperus horizontalis 'Wiltonii' |
Blue Rug Juniper | 4-6" | 6-8' | Trailing | S | 4-9 | Sun; dry soil; very flat, trailing form; silver-blue foliage; purple tinge in winter; heat tolerant |
| Juniperus procumbens 'Nana' |
Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper | 12-24" | 3-5' | Mounded spreading | S | 4-8 | Sun; tolerant of many soils; creeping, compact form; mounded branchlets vary in length; bluish-green foliage, slightly purple in winter |
| Juniperus sabina | Savin Juniper | 4-6' | 5-10' | Upright spreading | S | 3-7 | Sun; well-drained soil; tolerant of high pH; slightly vase-shaped; stiff angled branching; dark green foliage, off green color in winter |
| Juniperus sabina 'Broadmoor' |
Broadmoor Savin Juniper | 2-3' | 10-12' | Mounded spreading | S | 3-7 | Sun; tolerant of well-drained, limestone soil; urban tolerant; slight mounding in center of plant; gray-green foliage; resistant to juniper twig blight |
| Juniperus sabina 'Buffalo' | Buffalo Savin Juniper | 12-18" | 10' | Low-spreading | S | 3-7 | Sun; bright green foliage; feathery branches; good winter color |
| Juniperus sabina 'Monna' |
Calgary Carpet® Juniper | 6-9" | up to 10' | Low-spreading | S | 3-9 | Resistant to most pests and to cedar rusts and juniper twig blight disease. Salt tolerant. |
| Juniperus sabina 'Skandia' |
Skandia Juniper | 12-18" | 6-8' | Low-spreading | S | 3-9 | Best in dry well-drained soil in full sun. |
| Juniperus squamata 'Blue Star' |
Blue Star Juniper | 2-3' | 3-4' | Rounded | Very slow | 4-9 | Salt tolerant, Resistant to most pests and to cedar rust and juniper twig blight diseases. |
| Juniperus virginiana 'Blue Mountain' |
Blue Mountain Juniper | 3-4' | 5-8' | Spreading | S | 4-9 | Best in well-drained, dry soil in full sun. |
| Microbiota decussata |
Siberian or Russian Cypress | 1 to 1 1/2' |
6-8' | Low,spreading | S | 2-7 | Requires moist, loose, well-drained soil. Best in part to full shade where summers are hot. |
| Picea abies 'Nidiformis' |
Bird's Nest Spruce | 3-5' | 3-6' | Broad, dense | S | 2-8 | Best in well-drained soil in full sun. Deer resistant |
| Picea abies ''Pumila' |
Dwarf Norway Spruce | 3-4' | 4-5' | Broad, dense, more rounded than Bird's Nest Spruce | S | 2-8 | Best in well-drained soil in full sun. Not salt tolerant, deer resistant |
| Picea abies 'Procumbens'' | Creeping Norway Spruce | 2-3' | 4-6' | Broad spreading Mound | S | 2-6 | Sun; well-drained soil; stiff branching, flat-topped crown |
| Picea omorika 'Nana' | Dwarf Serbian Spruce | 8-10'' | 5-6'' | Rounded | S | 3-7 | Dwarf form of Serbian spruce; loose branching habit; best in a protected site |
| Picea pungens 'Glauca Globosa' |
Dwarf Globe Blue Spruce | 3-5' | 3-6' | Rounded | S | 2-8 | Best in well-drained soil in full sun. Some salt tolerance. Deer resistance. |
| Picea pungens 'Montgomery' |
Montgomery Blue Spruce | 5-6' | 5-6' | Rounded when young; broad and conical when mature | S | 2-8 | Best in well-drained soil in full sun. Some salt tolerance. Deer resistant. |
| Pinus mugo 'Enci' |
Enci Dwarf Mugo or Swiss Mountain Pine | 3-4' | 3-5' | Rounded | S | 2-7 | Best in moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers slightly acidic pH soil, but will tolerate a wide range of soils, if well-drained |
| Pinus strobus 'Nana' |
Dwarf White Pine | 3-5' | 3-5' | Rounded | S | 3-9 | Best in moist, well-drained soil in full sun, sheltered from wind. Not tolerant of salt or pollution |
| Taxus cuspidata 'Nana' | Dwarf Japanese Yew | Variable | Variable | Spreading | M | 3-7 | Shade or sun; requires well-drained soil; urban tolerant; twice as wide as high; dark green leaves; excellent red fruits |
| Taxus x media 'Chadwickii' |
Chadwick Yew | 2-3' | 3-4' | Low, spreading | M | 4-7 | Best in well-drained soil in sun to part shade, winter sun and winds that can cause desiccation and browning of leaves. Will not tolerate wet conditions. Can be grown in full shade |
| Taxus x media 'Densiformis' |
Densi or Newport Yew | 3-4' | 4-5' | Wide, spreading | M | 4-7 | Full sun to part shade, will not tolerate wet conditions, can be grown in full shade, but will be less dense |
| Taxus x media 'Everlow' |
Everlow Anglo-Japanese Yew | 2-3' | 4-5' | Spreading | M | 4-7 | Sun or shade; well-drained soil; low-growing spreader; dark green needles resistant to wind burn |
| Taxus x media 'Runyan' | Runyan Anglo-Japanese Yew | 3-4' | 4-6' | Rounded | S | 4-7 | Sun or shade; well-drained soil; high pH tolerant; dark green foliage |
| Taxus x media 'Tauntonii' |
Taunton Anglo-Japanese Yew | 3-4' | 5-6' | Spreading | S | 4-7 | Good heat and cold tolerance; excellent low hedge; attractive red fruit |
| Thuja occidentalis 'Bobazam' |
Mr. Bowling Ball Arborvitae | 2-3' | 2-3' | Rounded | S | 4-8 | Well-drained soil in full sun |
| Thuja occidentalis 'Danica' |
Danica Arborvitae | 2' | 2' | Rounded | S | 4-8 | Well-drained soil in full sun |
| Thuja occidentalis 'Globosa' |
Globe Eastern Arborvitae | 2-3' | 2-3' | Broadly-rounded | S | 4-8 | Well-drained soil in full sun, does not brown out in winter |
| Thuja occidentalis 'Golden Globe' |
Golden Globe Arborvitae | 3-4' | 3-4' | Rounded | S | 4-8 | Best in well-drained soil in full sun, can tolerate light shade and wet site |
| Thuja occidentalis 'Hetz Midget' |
Hetz Midget Arborvitae | 3-4' | 3-4' | Globe | S | 3-7 | Sun or part shade; well-drained soil; tolerant of limestone soils; heat and drought tolerant; no pruning necessary to maintain shape |
| Thuja occidentalis 'Rheingold' | Rheingold Arborvitae | 4-5' | 3-4' | Pyramidal | S | 4-7 | Semi-dwarf form; attractive golden foliage |
| Tsuga canadensis 'Bennett' |
Bennett Eastern Hemlock ' | 4-5 | 5-6' | Low-spreading | S | 4-7 | Shade to partial shade; intolerant of drought; graceful habit with dark green needles |
| Tsuga canadensis 'Gentsch White' | Gentsch White Eastern Hemlock | 4-5' | 3-4' | Globe | S | 4-7 | Shade; well-drained soil; intolerant of drought and winter winds; attractive white-tipped foliage |
| Tsuga canadensis 'Jeddeloh' |
Jeddoloh Eastern Hemlock | 3-4' | 3-4' | Rounded | S | 4-8 | Moist, well-drained soil in part to full shade |
Key to Growth Rate: Height and spread are listed at the tree's maturity. How fast a tree grows will be influenced by site conditions, species selection, and maintenance. By some ratings, any evergreen that at maturity is not as tall as its parent species is considered a dwarf, such as a plant that grows only 40 feet tall compared to a parent species that reaches 80 feet. To clear up the confusion, the American Conifer Society has attempted to standardize the terminology and rate of growth as follows:
Large conifer -grows 12 inches or more per year (size at age 10 to 15 years is greater than 15 feet)
Intermediate conifer -grows 6-12 inches per year (size at age 10 to 15 years is 6 to 15 feet)
Dwarf conifer -grows 3 to 6 inches per year (size at age 10 to 15 years is 3 to 6 feet)
Miniature conifer -grows less than 3 inches per year (size at age 10 to 15 years is 2 to 3 feet)
Ultimate size: If your site is limited by proximity to walks, driveways, patios and buildings, or by surrounding plantings, keep in mind the ultimate height and width of the plant you're selecting. A two-foot tall yew may be just right in front of your living room windows today, but if its mature height is eight feet, you'll be pruning it annually to keep it from blocking your view.
Site
Keep in mind the conditions the plant needs to grow If you're selecting a plant to use as a groundcover under the open shade of a honeylocust, don't select an evergreen that needs full sun. Remember, too, that evergreens need regular deep watering until the ground freezes because they lose moisture throughout the winter by water loss from their foliage. For this reason, it's wise to plant evergreens where they can easily be watered.
The above chart provides information about the size and other important characteristics of low-growing evergreens recommended by The Morton Arboretum for their suitability and desirability in the Midwest.
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| The mounded, dense habit of Juniperus sabina 'Broadmoor', Broadmoor sabina juniper | The loose, open habit of Buxus microphylla var. koreana, Korean boxwood |
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The silver-green leaves of Picea omorika 'Pendula', weeping Serbian spruce |
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