Great Shrubs for Edging Walkways

Dwarf Boxwood

• True dwarf boxwood (Buxus sempervirens “Suffruticosa”), also known as English boxwood, is the most popular type of boxwood in the United States. Slow growing to 3 feet tall, it has smaller leaves than other varieties. It is often used for knot gardens, edging and in rock gardens because of its fine texture and rounded shape. It takes shearing well and grows in full sun to part shade. Boxwood is hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 5.

Berries

• Small evergreen shrubs that also provide colorful berries for wildlife include lingonberry and Himalayan blueberry, both with tiny, deep green leaves and a compact habit. Lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) grow to 18 inches tall and spread to form a groundcover that flowers in spring and produces bright red berries in summer and fall. It thrives in part sun or shade and is hardy to USDA zone 3. Himalayan blueberry (V. moupinense) has evergreen leaves that color to red, orange and burgundy in fall and winter, with bronze new growth. It reaches 2 feet tall and wide, prefers full sun, and is hardy to USDA zone 5.

Bush Honeysuckles

• The bush honeysuckles (Lonicera nitida spp.) make drought-tolerant and disease-resistant hedges and edges, but most varieties grow to 4 feet tall and wide. A new cultivar of L. nitida “Baggesen’s Gold,” called Twiggy, has tinier leaves and remains compact at 2 by 2 feet. For best color, grow it in full sun. Bush honeysuckles are hardy to USDA zone 6.

Dwarf Azalea

• Dwarf evergreen azaleas grow slowly to mature heights of only 10 to 15 inches. They prefer acidic soil, regular water, good drainage and thrive in dappled sunlight or part shade. They flower in bright colors in spring or early summer. The Girard series flowers in burgundy, purple, scarlet and rose, and the foliage changes to red-orange in fall. The Gumpo series blooms in pink, red or white with large flowers on compact plants. Evergreen azaleas are hardy to USDA zone 6.