Types of Low Maintenance Evergreen Shrubs

Are you looking to spruce up your yard with some more plantlife but are worried about being able to keep up with their care? Well, taking care of your outdoor spaces doesn’t have to be super time-consuming. 

For those in this boat, we recommend incorporating a few low-maintenance shrubs into your yard. Not only do these shrubs offer lush green foliage, but they are easy to take care of. This way you can maintain your busy schedule while still laying claim to a beautiful home and yard.

In this blog post, SES Landscape will recommend a few of our favorite low-maintenance shrubs and go over the benefits of each, along with how to properly care for them.

Dwarf Japanese Garden Juniper

Characteristics:

• Compact and spreading shrub with dense, needle-like foliage
• A blue-green or gray-green color that adds a nice touch to landscapes

Growth Habit and Size:

• Dwarf Japanese Garden Junipers will usually grow to a height of around of 1 to 2 feet with a wide spread of 4 to 6 feet
• Slow-growing, which is an ideal choice for smaller gardens or areas

Maintenance Requirements:

• Needs well-drained soil and full sun exposure
• Needs minimal pruning

Boxwood

Characteristics:

• This is a popular evergreen shrub that is known for its dense foliage and versatility
• Boxwood bushes offer different leaf shapes and sizes, like round, oval or variegated

Growth Habit and Size:

• Can range from 1 to 15 feet in height and width
• Growth rate depends on the cultivar

Maintenance Requirements:

• Can thrive in well-drained soil and partial shade to full-sun
• Regular pruning will help maintain shape and promote density
• Can benefit from occasional fertilization

Dwarf Alberta Spruce

Characteristics:

• This evergreen shrub is compact with soft needles and a conical shape
• It slightly resembles a miniature Christmas tree which can add a lot of charm to your outdoor space

Growth Habit and Size:

• The Dwarf Alberta Spruce generally reaches around 6 to 8 feet and has a spread of 3 to 4 feet
• This shrub is slow-growing and should maintain its shape without requiring much pruning

Maintenance Requirements:

• Needs well-drained soil and full sun exposure
• Needs minimal pruning

Russian Cypress

Characteristics:

• This is a low-growing evergreen shrub with fern-like, feathery foliage
• Russian Cypresss’ boast a vibrant green color that helps create color variety with its contrast

Growth Habit and Size:

• Russian Cypress will grow to a height of 6 to 12 inches with a spread of 3 to 4 feet
• It’s spreads through runners, creating a dense ground cover

Maintenance Requirements:

• Can adapt to various soil conditions and will thrive in full sun to partial shade
• Requires minimal pruning

Inkberry

Characteristics:

• A native evergreen shrub with glossy and dark green leaves
• Will grow small black berries that are nice to look at and can attract some wildlife

Growth Habit and Size:

• Can reach a height and spread of 6 to 8 feet
• This is a versatile plant that can tolerate both the sun and shade

Maintenance Requirements:

• Inkberry prefers well-drained and moist soil, but it can survive some wet conditions
• For shaping purposes it requires minimal pruning

Factors to Consider When Choosing Low Maintenance Evergreen Shrubs

While all of these plants we’ve mentioned are all easy to care for, there are still other factors to consider when you are choosing shrubs to elevate your yard your garden. 

Let’s take a look at some of the key factors you need to be aware of when planting low maintenance evergreen shrubs:

Climate Sustainability

Before planting any evergreen shrubs, you have to make sure they are suitable for your climate zone. Some shrubs will do better in colder climates, whereas others thrive more in warmer areas

To find out if a shrub is right for your home, make sure to check the hardiness zone and temperature requirements.

Soil Requirements

Some shrubs prefer well-drained soil, and others can handle some moisture. Be sure to examine the soil conditions of your outdoor space before planting.

Light and Shade Preferences

This is where your planting needs to be well-thought out. Decide which shrubs need more sunlight, and plant accordingly to make sure they grow in the right area. The shrubs that do well in partial shade can be planted in the more covered areas.

Watering Needs

Make sure to have a good understanding of the water needs of your new shrubs. Low maintenance evergreen shrubs usually require less watering, but it’s still very important that they receive enough moisture, especially during the establishment period. Choose shrubs that will be properly supported by you and the rainfall in your region.

If you keep these factors in mind when choosing your low maintenance evergreen shrubs, your outdoor space will be set up for success for years to come.

Call SES Landscape For Shrub Planting And Care

Low maintenance evergreen shrubs will really add a boost to any outdoor landscape or garden. They are easy to maintain but you still get the added benefits of an improved look and more intricate setting. When you can simply enjoy the foliage without having to worry about constant pruning or watering, you feel a lot more relaxed. 

If you’re interested in adding some shrubs to your current landscape or doing a redesign with low maintenance shrubs, contact SES Landscape today! Our team specializes in landscape design and plant care.