Year-Round Green Shrubs

Common Boxwood

• The common boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) reaches sizes between 15 and 20 feet, but many of its hybrid forms are considerably smaller. This broadleaf evergreen shrub has leathery leaves with the foliage a darker shade of green on its upper surface than on the bottom. Boxwood shrub forms include one called Graham Blandy, which grows to 9 feet tall but just 2 feet in width. Another, known as Vandar Valley, stays in the 2- to 3-foot range. Boxwood works as a hedge, foundation plant and in groups, with the added benefit of being unpalatable to deer.

Cedar of Lebanon Hedgehog

• The tree form of the Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) reaches 120 feet on occasion, with a massive trunk. The hybrid form called Hedgehog though does not even reach 1 foot high, making it an evergreen option for rock gardens and for use as a ground cover. It can expand to be as wide as 30 inches, with bluish-gray needles. Cedar of Lebanon Hedgehog fares poorly if planted in wet areas, suffering from root rot in such situations. Place it in a full sun location with acidic loam.

Chinese Holly

• Three distinct spines occur at the apex of the Chinese holly (Ilex cornuta) leaves, giving the plant an exceptional look. Chinese holly originated from Korea and China. Chinese holly is a shrub that grows from 8 feet tall to 10 feet, making it fitting for hedges. The shrub also takes hold next to buildings, as a foundation plant. Chinese holly produces white flowers in May, with these blossoms eventually yielding a reddish fruit that lasts on its branches into winter.

Norway Spruce Nidiformis

• After viewing a Norway spruce (Picea abies) in its native Europe where it attains heights of 200 feet, it is difficult to picture shrub forms of the tree that are only 3 feet tall. However, Nidiformis is such a hybrid, with the ability to stay from 2 to 8 feet high. Nidiformis grows in cold climates such as those found in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 3, with its needles remaining green year round. Nidiformis may require as long as 30 years to reach its mature height of about 8 feet, meaning you can use it as a container plant for much of its life.