Evergreen Shrubs for Zone Three

Junipers

• Junipers (Juniperus) are versatile evergreen shrubs, and Zone 3 is the coldest area capable of supporting a variety of juniper species and their hybrids. Sizes are available to fit many functions, including the 'Limeglow' cultivar of creeping juniper, which grows to 12 inches and works along foundations and in rock gardens. Other small juniper hybrids are 'Blue Chip,' 'Plumosa,' 'Wiltonii' and 'Effusa.' These smaller junipers serve as ground cover in many scenarios. Larger juniper species and hybrids -- such as Chinese juniper's 'Blue Point' and 'Old Gold' cultivars -- are shrubs worthy for use as hedges, screens and specimen plants.

Spruces

• Norway spruce alone has enough shrub hybrid forms appropriate for Zone 3 to fill multiple landscaping applications. 'Acrocona,' for example, is a 5- to 10-foot tall Norway spruce shrub suitable as a specimen plant. 'Nidiformis' and 'Clanbrassiliana Stricta' are other shrub forms that grow to between 6 and 8 feet. Smaller Norway spruce shrubs include types such as 'Little Gem,' 'Sherwood Compact' and 'Little Joe.' White spruce is another spruce tree that has small shrub hybrids. "Celcilia,' 'Little Globe' and 'Jean's Dilly' are diminutive enough for rock gardens among other usages. Colorado spruce has plenty of shrub forms, like 'Thume,' 'Montgomery' and 'Globe.'

American Arborvitae

• Come up with a landscaping function and chances are you can find an American arborvitae shrub for it. In the wild, the American arborvitae grows to tree size, but its many cultivars, capable of establishing themselves in Zone 3, come in assorted sizes. These shrubs, such as 'Danica,' 'Hetz Midget' and 'Woodwardii' serve as container plants, hedges, accent species, borders, screens and foundation plants. American arborvitae shrubs grow in many kinds of soil and develop whether in full sun or light shade.

Broadleaf Evergreens

• Broadleaf evergreen shrubs for planting within Zone 3 include a type of holly known as Nordic inkberry. The 'Chamzin' cultivar grows to 4 feet, making it useful as a hedge. The foliage retains its glossy green color despite harsh winter conditions. Acidic, damp potions of the landscape in Zone 3 support the growth of a shrub called leatherleaf. This broadleaf evergreen has a cultivar, 'Verdant,' featuring white flowers in April. 'Verdant' is a solid option for the conditions soggy ground presents to other plants.