Here Are 15 Easy-To-Care-For Shrubs That Are Evergreen And Ornamental
Reviewed By DAN ORI
Dan has over 27 years’ under his belt caring for plants and gardens. Working as a Horticultural Instructor and Consultant, he draws on a diverse range of experience that includes working as a Head Gardener, Tree Surgeon, Garden Centre Trouble Shooter, and writer of academic papers. Dan has a Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture and is currently a candidate for the RHS’s most prestigious award – The Master of Horticulture.
IN THIS GUIDE
- 1) Azalea japonica
- 2) Rhododendron ‘Kirin’
- 3) Leucothoe fontanesiana
- 4) Elaeagnus × ebbingei
- 5) Prunus laurocerasus
- 6) Nandina domestica
- 7) Euonymus fortunei
- 8) Euonymus japonicus
- 9) Pieris japonica
- 10) Berberis × stenophylla
- 11) Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum
- 12) Ilex aquifolium
- 13) Aucuba japonica
- 14) Forsythia × intermedia
- 15. Juniperus squamata
If you’re looking for a shrub for your garden but don’t have all the time in the world to spend on its upkeep – then this is the article for you.
We outline 15 fantastic low-maintenance shrubs underneath.
Besides attributes related to low-maintenance, we strongly favour ornamental value with a focus on evergreens so that you do not lose your screen in the winter.
1) Azalea japonica
- COMMON NAME(S): Japanese azalea
- HARDINESS RATING: H4
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / partial shade
- EXPOSURE: sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: chalk, loam, sand; acidic pH
- SIZE: 0.5-1m in height, 0.5-1m spread
When it comes to low-maintenance bushes with ornamental value, azaleas are runaway winners.
They are big bushes that are verily covered for many months with truly beautiful flowers in diverse hues and Japanese azaleas are no exception.
All of these types attain heights from 0.5-1m, offering privacy as well as ornamental value.
2) Rhododendron ‘Kirin’
- COMMON NAME(S): rhododendron kurume
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / partial shade
- EXPOSURE: sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: chalk, loam, sand; acidic pH
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 1-1.5m spread
Rhododendron ‘Kirin’ is an evergreen shrub not too dissimilar to the variety listed above, but this one is slightly larger.
This variety produces the loveliest funnel-shaped flowers over a long blooming season, and the colours range from pure white through mauve to intense reds.
3) Leucothoe fontanesiana
- COMMON NAME(S): dog hobble
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / partial shade
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: clay, loam, sand; acidic pH
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 1.5-2.5m spread
These evergreens are fully hardy at H6, have no special positioning needs, and even tolerate heavy or poor-draining soils, making them the perfect low-maintenance shrub.
They have a moderate growth rate, a dense structure and are ideally sized for rockeries, pots, and garden nooks, ranging from about 40-140cm.
These plants also produce copious small white flowers with some varieties blooming in spring and others in summer.
In most varieties, spring and summer bring foliage that is red, purple or cream, be it entire, mottled, streaked, or just flushed, and even when the foliage is green in summer, it is of a satisfying bright deep shade.
4) Elaeagnus × ebbingei
- COMMON NAME(S): oleaster / ebbinge’s silverberry
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): autumn
- FRUIT SEASON(S): winter
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / partial shade
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: 2.5-4m in height, 2.5-4m spread
Oleasters are tough, zero-fuss evergreens and are able to make do in exposed locations and tolerate clayey soils.
Most varieties have no positional requirements at all and most are even drought-tolerant.
They are also very big at 2.5-4m tall and wide, so they make terrific boundary walls and privacy screens, but they do need to be pruned to keep them like a shrub.
Most varieties bear oodles of scented white or creamy flowers followed by orange or red berries in autumn, but it’s the silvery-green foliage that is the chief attraction here.
5) Prunus laurocerasus
- COMMON NAME(S): cherry laurel
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- FRUIT SEASON(S): autumn
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / partial shade
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: 4-8m in height, over 8m spread
For big and dense low-maintenance evergreen hedges, cherry laurel has to be a top contender.
Several varieties rise to 5m with an equal or greater spread.
What’s more, this tough shrub can make do in all soils, including heavy ones, and has no positional or aspect needs.
Cherry laurels are aptly named, as in autumn they produce bright red cherry-like berries that become black by winter.
These are preceded by pretty tufty racemes of tiny white flowers, so this shrub provides multi-season interest.
6) Nandina domestica
- COMMON NAME(S): heavenly bamboo
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- FRUIT SEASON(S): autumn
- SUNLIGHT: full sun
- EXPOSURE: sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 1-1.5m spread
Nandina domestica, better known as heavenly bamboo, produces lots of small white flowers followed by decorative berries.
However, these marvellous shrubs are actually all about fantastic foliage which not only sticks around all year but displays a palette of colour as well.
The artistically-shaped lanceolate leaves emerge in shades of pink, red, orange and purplish.
As they mature, they start turning green at different points and at different rates, exhibiting a medley of colour.
These hardy shrubs only require a sheltered spot and are slow-growing so require little to no pruning.
“I must stress that a sheltered spot out of frost pockets is essential for success with this shrub,” shares Master Horticulturist Dan Ori.
“A little attention early on pays off, for young plants, particularly those in pots, and I recommend protecting them with horticultural fleece against early and late frosts in the first year or two.”
7) Euonymus fortunei
- COMMON NAME(S): winter creeper
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- FRUIT SEASON(S): autumn
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / partial shade
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: 1.5-2.5m in height, 1.5-2.5m spread
Euonymus fortunei gives you lots of options.
These hearty shrubs have no positional or aspect needs whatsoever and are content in even heavy soils.
Its year-round foliage has small rubbery leaves that are edged, mottled, splashed or delicately variegated in green, white, cream, yellow, or gold.
Almost all varieties will bring further seasonal colour interest in the form of small flowers, berries or winter foliage.
8) Euonymus japonicus
- COMMON NAME(S): Japanese spindle / evergreen spindle
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): summer
- FRUIT SEASON(S): autumn
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / partial shade
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil tpyes; any pH
- SIZE: 2.5-4m in height, 1.5-2.5m spread
These evergreen shrubs are available in a range of sizes, from 0.5-3m in height with a similar spread.
These plants are genuinely low-maintenance and provide brilliant all-year colour with glossy, rubbery leaves that come in hues that range from green to gold.
These hardy evergreens have no special positional or aspect needs whatsoever nor do they need much pruning – you can simply plant and forget!
9) Pieris japonica
- COMMON NAME(S): lily-of-the-valley bush
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FOLIAGE TYPE: evergreen
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / partial shade
- EXPOSURE: sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: loam or sand; acidic pH
- SIZE: 2.5-4m in height, 2.5-4m spread
Pieris japonicas are among the loveliest evergreen bushes you can grow and that’s because they are loaded with small flowers.
Some varieties bud in winter and flower through spring while others flower from late spring into summer.
Many are white and nearly as many are in shades of pink and red, and you can choose whether you like your flowers in upright sprays or drooping panicles.
This plant has a naturally neat and tidy habit which is complemented by the elliptical leaves of shiny mid-green that emerge in reddish hues.
“Success with Pieris is usually pretty simple, plant in acid soil and a sheltered spot that is protected from frost,” adds Dan.
“Your plant will also thrive if you can water it during dry spells, but it is not essential once established.”
10) Berberis × stenophylla
- COMMON NAME(S): golden barberry / narrow-leaved barberry
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- FRUIT SEASON(S): autumn
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / partial shade
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: 2.5-4m in height, 2.5-4m spread
This variety of barberry is evergreen, which is why we have picked it, though other barberry cultivars are also worth checking out.
The golden barberry has stiff, glossy, spiny leaves of a dark green colour and bears clusters of small yellow flowers throughout spring.
Moreover, this shrub has no positional requirements whatsoever, and can even thrive in somewhat dense and heavy soils.
11) Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum
- COMMON NAME(S): Japanese snowball
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / partial shade
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: 2.5-4m in height, 2.5-4m spread
Viburnum plicatum is a deciduous shrub which can grow from 1-3.5m in height and spread.
Though they are bare in winter, most viburnum varieties bring unmatched pleasures through the other three seasons.
Spring is ushered in with a beautiful display of snowy white, sometimes pink, flowers arranged in lacecaps or in globular clusters.
The varieties that cannot hold their flowers into summer will at least show off serrated ovate leaves of an intense green shade, and when autumn enters, those well-shaped leaves will turn orange, russet, wine or even maroon.
These slow-growing shrubs have absolutely no positional or aspect needs and most are content even in clayey soils.
12) Ilex aquifolium
- COMMON NAME(S): common holly
- HARDINESS RATING: H6
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring / summer
- FRUIT SEASON(S): autumn / winter
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / partial shade
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: Up to 12m in height, 4-8m spread
Holly, with its glistening red berries, is associated with Christmas, but this ultra-pretty evergreen is far from a one-season wonder.
Some display purple stems in spring, others produce little white flowers in summer, and most bear bright red berries in autumn – a few even feature all three!
“t is important to do your homework if you want berries, as often you will need compatible male and female plants to achieve this,” Dan adds.
Though we tend to think of Hollies as small trees, since many are, almost an equal number are bushy shrubs or can be pruned to become such.
All of them are seriously low-care with zero positional requirements and are even content in all kinds of soil.
13) Aucuba japonica
- COMMON NAME(S): Japanese laurel
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- FRUIT SEASON(S): autumn
- SUNLIGHT: full shade / partial shade
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: chalk, loam, sand; any pH
- SIZE: 1.5-3m in height, 1.5-3m spread
Among the more unusual shrubs, Aucuba japonica plants are dioecious – either male or female.
Only the female plants bear pretty, decorative red berries and they will do so if a male plant is nearby.
These shrubs are virtually pest-free and disease-free and have no special positioning needs.
Most cultivars have glossy, slightly toothed leaves, but it is their varying patterns that are so interesting as many cultivars’ bright green leaves are either speckled, dappled or smeared in equally bright yellow.
14) Forsythia × intermedia
- COMMON NAME(S): forsythia × intermedia
- HARDINESS RATING: H5
- FOLIAGE TYPE: deciduous
- FLOWERING SEASON(S): spring
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / partial shade
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: 1-1.5m in height, 1-1.5m spread
Forsythias are deciduous shrubs that are tough enough to have no positional or aspect requirements and can tolerate all kinds of soil.
Some varieties, when established, are also drought-resistant.
Forsythia × intermedia varieties range from 1.5-4m high while other forsythia shrubs are more compact, typically 1-1.5m in height and spread.
However, they all produce an abundance of small flowers that completely coat their branches in yellow.
Recommended F. × intermedia cultivars include ‘Lynwood Variety’, ‘Spectabilis’ and ‘Week-End’.
15. Juniperus squamata
- COMMON NAME(S): flaky juniper
- HARDINESS RATING: H7
- SUNLIGHT: full sun / partial shade
- EXPOSURE: exposed / sheltered
- SOIL PREFERENCE: all soil types; any pH
- SIZE: 0.1-0.5m in height, 0.5-1m spread
Requiring neither any special aspect, pruning or positioning, being fully hardy and truly maintenance-free, Juniperus squamatas are plant-and-forget evergreen shrubs.
They are little things as they rise to only about 1m, with most varieties having a slightly bigger spread.
They are actually conifers and, therefore, have those stiffish needle-like leaves.
Most of these technically bushy plants have rather a mounding-spreading form with an irregular profile, some varieties more so than others, as branches and fronds tend to jut out here and there.
