Evergreen Shrubs That Don't Grow More Than Two Feet Tall

For Shade

• Choose shade-tolerant shrubs for sites that receive less than 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. The "Green Gem" boxwood grows to 2 feet tall with an equal spread. This slow-growing evergreen has lustrous, rounded foliage and grows in a mounded form. Hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9, the "Green Gem" boxwood tolerates full shade and prefers moist, well-draining soil with a neutral to alkaline pH level. The purple leaved wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei '"Coloratus") provides a welcome change from a sea of green foliage during winter, when its shiny green leaves take on a purple cast. This evergreen grows to 18 inches tall and spreads to 6 feet. It's hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9 and grows well in shady sites with moist, well-draining soil.

For Sun

• Choose sun-loving evergreens for sites that receive 6 hours a day or more of direct sunlight. The "Tiny Tim" American arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis "{Tiny Tim") grows best in full sun and well-draining soil. This little shrub grows to 12 inches tall with an 18-inch spread and forms a mound of scale-like foliage. "Tiny Tim" is hardy in USDA zones 2 to 7. The evergreen candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) also grows to 12 inches tall. This spreading shrub has dark, glossy foliage and blooms with a profusion of white blossoms from late spring through early summer. The evergreen candytuft is hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9, where it grows best in full sun and well-draining soil.

Salt-Tolerant

• For coastal gardens or planting sites near roads that are deiced with salt in winter, choose salt-tolerant shrubs such as the "Calgary Carpet" savin juniper (Juniperus sabina "Monna"). This shrub grows to 9 inches tall and spreads up to 10 feet wide, forming a dense carpet of scaled foliage. Hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9, this juniper prefers sunny, dry sites with well-draining soil. The "Icee Blue" trailing juniper (Juniperus horizontalis "Monber") also grows in salty soil. This juniper forms a mat of 6 inch tall blue-silver foliage that spreads up to 8 feet. It's hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9 and grows best in well-draining, dry soil.

Drought-Tolerant

• If you live in a drought-prone area, plant drought-tolerant shrubs such as the compact coral barberry (Berberis × stenophylla "Corallina Compacta"). Hardy in USDA zones 6 to 9, this thorny evergreen blooms in spring with orange-yellow flowers, followed by metallic, blue-black berries. The compact coral barberry grows to 12 inches tall and prefers well-draining soil. Scotch heather (Calluna vulgaris) tolerates drought and blooms from summer through early fall with white and red flowers atop small, gray-green foliage. Scotch heather is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 6 and grows to 2 feet tall and wide.