10 Best Evergreen Hedge Shrubs For Your Garden

Are you looking for the perfect evergreen hedge shrub to add that extra ‘oomph’ to your garden? If so, then this post is just what you need! Here we will discuss the best options for evergreen hedges suitable for every garden size and style – from a formal low-growing ornamental privet to colourful flowering varieties. There are many shades of green among these varied choices. 

We have done our research and handpicked some of the most beautiful and hardy trees that bring lots of beauty into your outdoor space and provide excellent privacy screening all year round – whatever type of gardener you may be! So, if it’s time to upgrade your landscape, read on and learn more about choosing the ultimate evergreen hedge shrub for your beloved abode.

Why Are Evergreen Hedge Shrubs Important?

Evergreen hedge shrubs are essential because they provide year-round coverage and privacy, reduce the amount of noise from the outside environment, create a wind break for your property, attract wildlife such as birds, form a visual barrier from neighbouring properties or roads, and increase the aesthetic value of your home. Evergreen hedge shrubs also require little maintenance compared to other plants and can last for years with minimal care.

Best Evergreen Hedge Shrubs For Your Garden

The best evergreen hedge shrubs for your garden are Common Box, Griselinia Littoralis, Lonicera Nitida, Holly, Arborvitae, etc. These plants provide stunning foliage that maintains its colour all year round. They create an excellent windbreak that can help reduce outside noise and provide privacy. Here’re the 10 Best Evergreen Hedge Shrubs For Your Garden.

Taxus Baccata

Taxus Baccata, commonly known as English Yew, is a coniferous tree species native to most parts of Europe. It has long been a popular ornamental hedging plant due to its dense evergreen foliage and attractive red berries. Its hardwood is also highly prized for use in making furniture and musical instruments. English Yew is widely used in formal gardens and cemetery settings due to its symmetrical shape and slow growth habit.

English Yew is easy to grow and prefers well-drained soils in sun or partial shade. It can reach heights of up to 20 meters and will live for several hundred years. Its evergreen foliage provides privacy, shelter, and beauty throughout the year. The red berries are poisonous but provide a valuable food source for birds in winter.

Common Box

Common box is a versatile plant with many uses in the garden! It is ideal for edging paths and beds or creating low hedges. Its dense foliage also makes it an excellent choice for topiary work. It is often used for hedging and topiary due to its dense habit and small, glossy leaves. It is tolerant of light shade but prefers a sunny position with moist soil. Pruning will help keep it neat and encourage more flowers to be produced in summer.

Elaeagnus Eb. Compacta

Elaeagnus Eb. Compacta is a small shrub with attractive foliage and fragrant flowers. This evergreen plant has silvery-grey leaves and produces white flowers that blossom from late summer to early winter. It grows best in full sun or partial shade, and its compact size makes it ideal for container gardens or landscaping beds. Elaeagnus Eb. Compacta’s hardiness and low maintenance make it an excellent choice for gardeners of all experience levels.

Griselinia Littoralis

Griselinia littoralis, also known as New Zealand broadleaf, is an evergreen shrub native to New Zealand. It has a dense crown of glossy green leaves that can reach over 10 meters in height and produces small yellow-green flowers in spring. Its tolerance for salt spray makes it perfect for coastal gardens and parks, providing year-round interest with its bright foliage and attractive form. The species is also widespread for windbreaks, hedging, and shelter.

Ilex Crenata

The Ilex Crenata is an evergreen shrub native to Japan, Korea and China. It has dark green holly-like foliage with small yellow flowers that later form blackberries. It has a slow growth rate, making it ideal for hedges, topiaries or foundation plants. The Ilex Crenata can be pruned and shaped into desired shapes and used as an ornamental plant in gardens or yards. This plant is a great choice for privacy screens or windbreaks and can even be used in bonsai. It is also ideal for those who want a low-maintenance plant, as it requires minimal pruning.

Lonicera Nitida

Lonicera Nitida, commonly known as the Box-Leaved Honeysuckle, is a flowering shrub native to parts of Europe and Asia. Its evergreen foliage is dense and compact, making it an ideal choice for hedges and topiary gardens. It also produces fragrant white flowers in the summer, which are attractive to pollinators. This hardy shrub is easy to maintain and adds to any outdoor space.

Osmanthus Burkwoodii

Osmanthus Burkwoodii is an evergreen shrub native to China, growing up to 8 feet tall with fragrant white flowers. It’s perfect for hedges and borders, offering privacy in the summer months due to its dense foliage and an intoxicating scent when it blooms in late autumn. The Osmanthus Burkwoodii is a versatile plant that can thrive in full sun or partial shade. It’s easy to care for, requiring little more than an occasional pruning and a regular watering schedule. It can be used in formal gardens or as a single specimen plant, and it’s an excellent choice for those looking to add a touch of luxury to their outdoor space.

Photinia Carre Rouge

Photinia Carre Rouge is an evergreen shrub with brilliant red foliage and white flowers in the spring. This hardy plant grows well in full sun or partial shade, making it an excellent choice for hedges, borders and foundation planting. Its glossy leaves provide year-round colour and texture to the landscape, while its fragrant blooms attract birds and butterflies. Photinia Carre Rouge is an excellent choice for all gardens!

Phillyrea Angustifolia

Phillyrea Angustifolia is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to the Mediterranean. It produces fragrant white flowers in mid-spring, followed by blue-black berries in late summer. Its glossy, dark green leaves are narrow and pointed, making it a popular choice for ornamental hedges and topiaries. With its hardiness and low maintenance needs, Phillyrea Angustifolia is also a great addition to any garden!

Prunus Angustifolia

Prunus Angustifolia, commonly known as Chickasaw plum, is a small deciduous tree native to the southeastern United States. It is an essential food source for birds and other wildlife due to its abundant production of fruits that can be eaten fresh or used in jams and jellies. In addition, this species has excellent ornamental value with its showy white flowers and attractive red foliage in autumn. Prunus Angustifolia is an ideal choice for landscaping due to its low maintenance needs and tolerance to drought.

How To Plant And Care For Evergreen Hedge Shrubs

To plant and care for evergreen hedge shrubs, start by selecting a suitable variety of shrubs and preparing the planting site. Make sure to space them out according to their mature size and dig a hole twice as wide and deep as their root ball. Gently remove the shrubs from their containers, loosen any tightly wound roots, and add some compost or fertilizer before you place them in the hole. After you’ve filled in all the soil around each one, could you give them a thorough watering? For ongoing care, maintain regular maintenance such as pruning, weeding, mulching, fertilizing and watering throughout the growing season so that your evergreen hedge stays healthy and vibrant year-round!

To Wrap Up

As you can see, there are a variety of evergreen hedge shrubs to choose from that will suit any garden type. By considering the size and shape of your space and the level of light and moisture it receives, you can select the perfect plants for your needs. And with a bit of care, you’ll have a lush, green hedge that provides privacy and enhances the beauty of your home all year round!