Evergreen Shrubs

Table 1: Narrow-leaved evergreen shrubs. 

Tables 1A – 1D detail height, growth rate, soil moisture and exposure for Arborvitae, Juniper, Spruce and Yew.

Table Key: 

Growth Rate: S=slow; M=moderate; F=fast 
Soil Moisture: H=high; M=medium; L=low 
Exposure: S=sun; PS=partial sun; Sh=Shade 
Plant Select^® plants may be viewed online at www.plantselect.org 

Table 1A. Arborvitae 

Plant Name	Height  (H’xW’)	Growth  Rate	Soil Moisture	Exposure	Comments and Cultural Hints
Thuja occidentalis Eastern Arborvitae: ‘Hetz Midget’	3 x 3	S	M	S to PS	Dense, globe-shaped.
Thuja occidentalis Eastern Arborvitae: ‘Holmstrup’	5 x 3	S	M-H	S to PS	Compact pyramid; holds foliage color in winter.
Thuja occidentalis Eastern Arborvitae: ‘Little Giant’	4 x 4	S	M	S to PS	Globe-shaped.

Table 1B. Juniper

Plant Name	Height  (H’xW’)	Growth  Rate	Soil Moisture	Exposure	Comments and Cultural Hints
Juniperus communis: Alpine Carpet®	1 x 5	M	L	S	Blue-green needles with white stripes.
Juniperus communis: Blueberry Delight®	1 x 5	M	L	S	Dense spreading juniper with silvery green needles.
Juniperus communis: ‘Effusa’	1 x 6	M	L	PS-Sh	Low mounding juniper with silvery green needles.
Juniperus sabina Savin Juniper: ‘Arcadia’	2 x 6	M	L	S	Spreading & mounded with lacy bright green foliage.
Juniperus sabina Savin Juniper: ‘Broadmoor’	2 x 6	M	L	S	Dense, mounding, dark green form.
Juniperus sabina Savin Juniper: ‘Buffalo’	2 x 6	M	L	S	Bright green foliage on a flat top form.
Juniperus sabina Savin Juniper: Calgary Carpet®	1 x 6	M	L	S	Soft green needles and spreading growth habit.
Juniperus sabina Savin Juniper: ‘Sierra Spreader’	1 x 6	M	L	S	Soft green needles and spreading growth habit.
Juniperus sabina Savin Juniper: ‘Tamariscifolia’	2 x 6	M	L	S	Spreading and mounded with tiered branching – also known as Tammy.
Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain Juniper: ‘Table Top Blue’	6 x 8	M	L	S	Silvery-blue foliage; broad, flat-topped habit.
Juniperus squamata: Singleseed Juniper ‘Blue Star’	3 x 4	S	L	S-PS	Silvery-blue needles arranged in a star-like pattern; compact mounded habit.
Juniperus x media Spreading Juniper: ‘Armstrong’	4 x 8	M	L	S	Gray-green lacy foliage on arched branches.
Juniperus x media Spreading Juniper: ‘Holbert’	3 x 8	M	L	S	Silver-blue foliage with wide spreading growth habit.
Juniperus x media Spreading Juniper: ‘Old Gold’	3 x 6	M	L	S	Golden-yellow arching branch tips.
Juniperus x media Spreading Juniper: ‘Pfitzeriana Compacta’	4 x 9	M	L	S	Silver-blue foliage with wide spreading growth habit.
Juniperus x media Spreading Juniper: ‘Sea Green’	6 x 8	M	L	S	Mint green foliage, vase-shaped habit, also known as Mint Julep™.
Pinus densiflora Japanese Red Pine: ‘Umbraculifera’ Tanyosho Pine	10 x 10	S	M	S	Umbrella form with orange bark and medium green needles.
Pinus mugo Mugo Pine: ‘Big Tuna’	10 x 7	S	L	S	Dense, upright habit; dark green needles.
Pinus mugo Mugo Pine: ‘Mops’	3 x 3	S	L	S	Dense, compact globe; dark green needles.
Pinus mugo Mugo Pine: ‘Pumilio’	6 x 8	S	L	S	Variable habit; multi-stemmed.
Pinus mugo Mugo Pine: ‘Slowmound’	4 x 6	S	L	S	Dense, compact mushroom-shaped; dark green needles.
Pinus mugo Mugo Pine: ‘White Bud’	3 x 4	S	L	S	White buds contrast with dark green needles.
Pinus nigra Austrian Pine: ‘Hornibrookiana’	3 x 6	S	L	S	Broad shrubby form with dark green needles.
Pinus strobus Eastern White Pine: ‘Blue Shag’	4 x 4	S-M	M	S-PS	Globe-shape form with blue-green foliage. May turn yellowish in alkaline soils.
Pinus sylvestris Scotch Pine: ‘Albyn Prostrata’	3 x 8	S-M	L	S	Spreading form with shiny green needles.
Pinus sylvestris Scotch Pine: ‘Glauca Nana’	8 x 6	S	L-M	S-PS	Dense, rounded habit; blue-green needles.
Pinus sylvestris Scotch Pine: ‘Hillside Creeper’	3 x 8	M	L-M	S-PS	Spreading form with medium green needles that become lighter in winter months.
Pinus sylvestris Scotch Pine: ‘Pumila’	10 x 6	S-M	L-M	S-PS	Broad, upright habit; bluish-green needles.

Table 1C. Spruce

Plant Name	Height  (H’xW’)	Growth  Rate	Soil Moisture	Exposure	Comments and Cultural Hints
Picea abies Norway Spruce: ‘Elegans’	4 x 6	S	M	S-PS	Nest-shaped with short needles.
Picea abies Norway Spruce: ‘Nidiformis’	3 x 5	S	M	S-PS	Nest-shaped with short green needles.
Picea abies Norway Spruce: ‘Pendula’	6 x 8	S	M	S-PS	Weeping habit, short dark green needles.
Picea abies Norway Spruce: ‘Pumila’	4 x 5	S	M	S-PS	Compact, nest-shaped mound with dark needles.
Picea glauca Dwarf Alberta Spruce: ‘Conica’	8 x 4	S	M	S-PS	Dense, conical shape with short green needles; best with winter protection.
Picea pungens Colorado Spruce: ‘Globosa’	3 x 4	S	M	S-PS	Globe-shaped with green needles.
Picea pungens Colorado Spruce: ‘Mesa Verde’	2 x 5	S	M	S-PS	Nest-shaped with green needles.
Picea pungens Colorado Spruce: ‘Procumbens’	2 x 10	S	M	S-PS	Silvery-blue needles on branches that hug the ground.
Picea pungens Colorado Spruce: ‘St Mary’s Broom’	3 x 4	S	M	S-PS	Globe-shaped with blue-green needles.
Picea pungens Colorado Spruce: ‘Walbrunn’	3 x 4	S	M	S	Nest-shaped with blue green needles.

Table 1D. Yew

Plant Name	Height  (H’xW’)	Growth  Rate	Soil Moisture	Exposure	Comments and Cultural Hints
Taxus cuspidata Japanese Yew: Emerald Spreader® ‘Monloo’	3 x 8	S	M	PS-Sh	Compact, spreading form, dark green needles and red fruit.
Taxus x media Anglojap Yew: ‘Densiformis’	3 x 7	S	M	PS-SH	Dense, rounded form with dark green needles and red fruit.
Taxus x media Anglojap Yew: ‘Hicksii’	8 x 3	M	M	PS-SH	Columnar form with dark green needles and red fruit.
Taxus x media Anglojap Yew: ‘Tauntonii’	3 x 5	S	M	PS-SH	Dense, wider than tall with dark green needles.

Table 2: Broadleaved evergreen shrubs. 

Tables 2A – 2J detail height, growth rate, soil moisture and exposure for Boxwood, Broom, Cotoneaster, Daphne, Euonymus, Holly, Manzanita, Oregon Grapeholly, Pyracantha and Rhododendron.

Table Key: 

Growth Rate: S=slow; M=moderate; F=fast 
Soil Moisture: H=high; M=medium; L=low 
Exposure: S=sun; PS=partial sun; Sh=Shade 
Plant Select^® plants may be viewed online at www.plantselect.org 

Table 2A. Boxwood

Plant Name	Height  (H’xW’)	Growth  Rate	Soil Moisture	Exposure	Comments and Cultural Hints
Buxus microphylla Littleleaf Boxwood: ‘Winter Gem’	4 x 4	S-M	M	PS-Sh	Globe shaped, lustrous dark green leaves; needs protected spot.
Buxus microphylla Littleleaf Boxwood: ‘Wintergreen’	3 x 3	S-M	M	PS–Sh	Lustrous dark green leaves; needs protected spot.
Buxus microphylla koreana: Korean Boxwood	3 x 4	S-M	M	PS-Sh	Broad, round dark green leaves turn yellowish brown in winter.
Buxus microphylla koreana: ‘Julia Jane’	4 x 4	S-M	M	PS-Sh	Upright rounded habit; new leaves lighter green, older leaves darker green; needs protected spot.
Buxus sempervirens Common Boxwood: ‘Green Tower’	6 x 1	S	M	PS-Sh	Upright cone shape; needs protected spot.
Buxus sempervirens Common Boxwood: ‘Vardar Valley’	3 x 4	S-M	M	PS-Sh	Flat topped with dark blue-green leaves; needs protected spot.
Buxus x hybrida: ‘Green Mountain’	4 x 2	S-M	M	PS-Sh	Upright cone shape; needs protected spot.
Buxus x hybrida: ‘Green Velvet’	4 x 4	M	M	PS-Sh	Rounded, dense habit with dark green foliage; needs protected spot.

Table 2B. Broom

Plant Name	Height  (H’xW’)	Growth  Rate	Soil Moisture	Exposure	Comments and Cultural Hints
Cytisus purgans  Spanish Gold™  Broom	4 x 6	M	M-L	S-PS	Dense mounded habit; bright yellow flowers in spring; good hardiness; Plant Select® 2000.
Cytisus scoparius  ‘Moonlight’  Moonlight Scotch  Broom	5 x 5	M	L	S	Upright becoming open; light yellow flowers; narrow green leaves; stems and twigs remain green.
Cytisus x  ‘Lena’  Lena Broom	3 x 4	M	L	S	Upright becoming more open; yellow and red flowers; narrow green leaves; stems and twigs remain green.
Cytisus x praecox ‘Allgold’  Warminster Allgold Broom	5 x 5	M	L	S	Dense, mounding growth habit; deep yellow flowers.

Table 2C. Cotoneaster

Plant Name	Height  (H’xW’)	Growth  Rate	Soil Moisture	Exposure	Comments and Cultural Hints
Cotoneaster dammeri  ‘Coral Beauty’  Coral Beauty Cotoneaster	2 x 6	M	M	PS	Wide spreading; glossy green leaves; semi-evergreen; white flowers; red fruit; needs protected spot.

Table 2D. Daphne

Plant Name	Height  (H’xW’)	Growth  Rate	Soil Moisture	Exposure	Comments and Cultural Hints
Daphne x burkwoodii: ‘Carol Mackie’	4 x 4	S	M	PSh	Green leaves with creamy margins; fragrant pink flowers in spring. Plant Select® 1997.
Daphne x burkwoodii: ‘Briggs Moonlight’	3 x 3	S	M	PSh	Yellow leaves with green margins; fragrant pink flowers in spring.

Table 2E. Euonymus

Plant Name	Height  (H’xW’)	Growth  Rate	Soil Moisture	Exposure	Comments and Cultural Hints
Euonymus fortune: ‘Emerald Gaiety’	3 x 4	M	M	PS-S	Mounded and spreading; green leaves with white margins and pink tinge in winter; can climb.
Euonymus fortune: ‘Emerald ‘n Gold’	2 x 4	S-M	M	PS-Sh	Mounded and spreading; green leaves with gold margins and pink tinge in winter; can climb.
Euonymus fortune: ‘Green Lane’	3 x 6	S-M	M	PS-Sh	Mounded and spreading; glossy dark green leaves; pink fruit with orange seed in late summer; can climb.
Euonymus fortune: ‘Moonshadow’	2 x 4	S-M	M	PS-Sh	Spreads, yellow leaves with green irregular margins; can climb.
Euonymus fortune: ‘Sarcoxie’	6 x 6	M-F	M	PS-Sh	Upright spreading habit, glossy dark green leaves; creamy fruits with orange seeds; can climb.
Euonymus kiautschovicus  ‘Manhattan’  Manhattan Euonymus	4 x 6	M-F	M	PS-Sh	Rounded, glossy dark green leaves; often winter burns in exposed sites but recovers with new growth.

Table 2F. Holly

Plant Name	Height  (H’xW’)	Growth  Rate	Soil Moisture	Exposure	Comments and Cultural Hints
Ilex x meserveae: ‘Blue Boy’	5 x 5	S	M	PS-Sh	Spreading habit with glossy, dark green spiny leaves; male, does not set fruit; needs well amended soil in protected area.
Ilex x meserveae: ‘Blue Girl®’	5 x 5	S	M	PS-Sh	Spreading habit with glossy, dark green spiny leaves; female, sets bright red fruit if planted near male plant such as ‘Blue Boy’.
Ilex x meserveae: Berri Magic® Kid	5 x 5	S	M	PS-Sh	‘Blue Boy’ and ‘Blue Girl’ potted in the same container.

Table 2G. Manzanita

Plant Name	Height  (H’xW’)	Growth  Rate	Soil Moisture	Exposure	Comments and Cultural Hints
Arctostophylos x coloradensis	1 x 3-5	S	L-M	S-PS	Spreading habit, white-pink flowers followed by red fruit; needs well drained soil; Plant Select® 2005.
Panchito™	1 x 2-3	S	L-M	S-PS	Mounded habit, white flowers followed by red fruit; needs well drained soil; Plant Select® 2006.
‘Chieftain’	2 x 8	S		S-PS	Spreading habit; white flowers followed by red fruit; needs well-drainied soil. Plant Select® 2013.
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi	0.5 x 5	S	L-M	PS-Sh	Spreading habit; pink tinged red; flowers followed by red fruit; prefers neutral to acidic well drained soils.
Kinnikinnick, Bearberry  ‘Massachusetts’	0.5 x 5	S	L-M	PS–Sh	Spreading habit, pink-tinged flowers followed by red fruits; prefers neutral to acidic well drained soils.

Table 2H. Oregon Grapeholly

Plant Name	Height  (H’xW’)	Growth  Rate	Soil Moisture	Exposure	Comments and Cultural Hints
Mahonia aquifolium: Oregon Grapeholly  ‘Compactum’	6 x 5	S-M	L-M	PS-Sh	Upright, spreading habit with blue-green, spiny, thick leaves that turn purplish in winter; yellow flowers followed by blue-black, grape-like fruit. Subject to winter burn.
Mahonia aquifolium: Compact Oregon Grapeholly	3 x 3	S	L-M	PS-Sh	Dense, mounded habit, glossy, thick, spiny leaves turn maroon in winter; flowers and fruit as above. Subject to winter burn.
Mahonia repens  Creeping Oregon  Grapeholly	1 x 3	S	L-M	PS-Sh	Low, spreading ground cover; blue-green, spiny leaves turn purplish in winter; flowers and fruit as above.

Table 2I. Pyracantha

Plant Name	Height  (H’xW’)	Growth  Rate	Soil Moisture	Exposure	Comments and Cultural Hints
Pyracantha angustifolia ‘Gnozam’: Gnome®Pyracantha  ‘Monon’	5 x 5	M	L-M	S-PS	Globe-shaped, dense habit with thorny branches; dark green, narrow leaves; white flowers followed by orange persistent fruit.
Pyracantha angustifolia ‘Gnozam’: Yukon Belle®  Pyracantha	8 x 6	M	L-M	S-PS	Upright, spreading habit with thorny branches; dark green, narrow leaves; white flowers, orange persistent fruit.
Pyracantha coccinea  ‘Lowboy’: Lowboy Pyracantha  ‘Wyattii’	3 x 6	M	L-M	S-PS	Lower, spreading habit with thorny branches; rich green foliage; white flowers followed by orange persistent fruit.
Pyracantha coccinea  ‘Lowboy’: Wyatt Pyracantha	6 x 6	M	L-M	S-PS	Upright, spreading habit with thorny branches; oval dark green leaves; white flowers followed by orange-red fruit.

Table 2J. Rhododendron

Plant Name	Height  (H’xW’)	Growth  Rate	Soil Moisture	Exposure	Comments and Cultural Hints
Rhododendron spp.: ‘Nova Zembla’	5 x 5	S	M-H	PS-Sh	Upright, rounded habit; dark green leathery leaves and red flowers; needs amended acidic soil and a protected site.
Rhododendron spp.: ‘P.J.M.’	4 x 4	S	M-H	PS-Sh	Rounded habit with smaller, leathery leaves that turn maroon in winter; lavender-pink flowers; needs amended acidic soil and a protected site.
Rhododendron spp.: ‘Ramapo’	3 x 3	S	M-H	PS-Sh	Compact mounded habit; dark green leaves turn purplish in winter; violet-purple flowers; needs amended acidic soil and a protected site.
Rhododendron spp.: ‘Roseum Elegans’	5 x 6	S	M-H	PS-Sh	Upright, spreading habit; larger oblong leaves turn reddish in winter; rose-pink flowers; needs amended acidic soil and a protected site.